How to Plan

Small Animal Field Day

WHAT IS SMALL ANIMAL FIELD DAY:

• An opportunity for 4-H members of all ages to come together to learn about the different small animal species, showmanship, housing, and medallist testing.

WHO IS IN CHARGE:

• County Small Animal Chairperson and committee project chairs
• The committee will be comprised of 1/3 youth and 2/3 adult volunteers

WHEN:

• 4-6 weeks before the county fair.  Usually 3 hours long, ending around noon.  

WHAT TO DO:

• Try to have every small animal species represented in some exhibit.
• 1 year in advance

-Contact youth advisor to select date

-Reserve rooms that are wheelchair accessible.  When reserving facility, obtain a lease agreement (if not already in place) and submit to YDA for processing.

-Notify Council Vice President of date to place on calendar.

• 6 months in advance:

-Begin publicity

-Recruit youth to help and begin holding committee meetings

• 3 months in advance:

-Continue publicity

-Develop budget and check figures with Council treasurer

-Order tables and chairs

·        1 month in advance:

-Publicize specific time, location, directions, and activities of the event in the Timely Topics.  Monthly deadline is the 15^th. 

-Meet with committee

-Confirm facility

• 1 week in advance:

-Re-confirm facility

-Check with committee that all activities are taken care of

• Day of:

-Set up 1 hour before participants arrive

-Assign locations for different activities

-Welcome participants

-Answer questions

-CLEAN UP afterwards

• 1 week after:

-Update the binder for the following year

-Send thank-you cards to all that volunteered for the committee and event

SAMPLE PUBLICITY IDEAS:

• Report at County Council Meeting/Executive Board meetings
• Send information in county club packets
• Advertise in the Timely topics
• Volunteer to attend club meetings and report
• Promote the event and encourage members to attend and participate

SAMPLE EXHIBITS:

• Judging contest                                     ·   Project videos or demonstrations
• Showmanship Advice                                     ·    Individual Presentations
• Posters on feeding/housing/animal care

• Veterinarian talks