Put a Lil' Spring in your Step... AGAIN
Spring is in the air, which means we need to put a little bit of spring back in our step. It is very typical over the winter months to lose focus on your health and exercise program. Many of us probably set New Year’s Resolutions to lose a few pounds or workout more….statistics show you might be off track from that goal. Don’t worry, you can’t change yesterday but you can start again today. Here are a few ideas to get moving and have a healthier lifestyle:
Remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. Post about your exercise and healthy lifestyle success on the YPI Facebook page. It will be motivation for us all.
- Download the Nike Training Club App (It’s FREE and designed to fit the amount of time you have that day)
- Schedule workout time; find a workout partner to make you more accountable
- Drink more water
- Sign-up for a 5k in your home town; you will be exercising while giving to a good cause (you don’t have to run, you can even walk)
- Walking has many proven benefits, which include: losing weight, increase self-esteem, increase metabolism, improves mood, decrease chance of injury and reduces risk of high blood pressure.
Remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. Post about your exercise and healthy lifestyle success on the YPI Facebook page. It will be motivation for us all.
Limiting Risks in Livestock Environments
Many of us are working on (or at least starting to think about) posting and publishing our fair books online for the 2014 show season. For those of us in the Industry, we know that animals shown at an exhibition, sale or show have an increased risk of spreading disease.
This Spring, there has been an epidemic of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), among pigs and piglets, in our production and breeding herds. It poses no risk to humans or other animals as well as having no impact on food safety. We also know pigs are a large attraction to our fairgoers and the general public. However, as with those who have taken the Consumer Protection Workshop as part of Institute, we know it is about limiting the risk.
Some suggestions:
To read more, visit the National Pork Board website, or check out the latest issue of Fairs and Expos.
This Spring, there has been an epidemic of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), among pigs and piglets, in our production and breeding herds. It poses no risk to humans or other animals as well as having no impact on food safety. We also know pigs are a large attraction to our fairgoers and the general public. However, as with those who have taken the Consumer Protection Workshop as part of Institute, we know it is about limiting the risk.
Some suggestions:
- Ensure all staff know clinical signs of pig sickness
- Write up and discuss a plan to address potential animal health issues
- Identify a veterinarian that can assist with health evaluation, sample collections or determining actions for sick pigs
- Make sure Exhibitors know that sick pigs will be sent home or isolated for the duration of the event
To read more, visit the National Pork Board website, or check out the latest issue of Fairs and Expos.
YPI Steering Committee
The YPI Steering Committee exists to provide overall direction, dialogue with IAFE board and staff, and professional development and networking opportunities for the under-40 fair professionals group at large.
Interested in serving on the committee? Simply fill out the Steering Committee Application Form and e-mail it Marla Calico, marlac@fairsandexpos.com, no later than May 30, 2014. Only individuals within IAFE Zones 2,4,6 and 8 can apply.
YPI Steering Committee members serve two-year terms and are responsible for:
Interested in serving on the committee? Simply fill out the Steering Committee Application Form and e-mail it Marla Calico, marlac@fairsandexpos.com, no later than May 30, 2014. Only individuals within IAFE Zones 2,4,6 and 8 can apply.
YPI Steering Committee members serve two-year terms and are responsible for:
- Participating in bi-monthly conference calls
- Assisting with planning YPI events at conventions and conferences
- Recruiting and encouraging new under-40 professionals to join YPI
- Attending YPI events at conventions and conferences
YPI VIP Highlight
Office Manager
Fowlerville Family Fair
Fowlerville, Michigan
Jennifer Rhodes first became involved with the Fowlerville Family Fair in Fowlerville, Michigan, at the age of 6 through 4-H. At 14, she began showing sheep, hogs and poultry at the fair. She showed sheep in open class throughout Michigan. In 2003, she began volunteering at the Fowlerville Family Fair. She was responsible for organizing and overseeing the antique tractor pulls. In 2008, Ms. Rhodes received a call from the fair while she was on maternity leave with her second child. She was asked if she was interested in the office manager position at the fair, which had lost its office manager five weeks prior to the fair. Up until that moment, she did not know what she wanted to do when she “grew up,” but she knew then that was what she wanted to do.
Ms. Rhodes attended the Detroit College of Business and had a double major in Economics and Business Marketing. Prior to joining the fair full-time, she served at several auto dealerships and a John Deere implement dealer. As office manager, Ms. Rhodes is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fowlerville Agricultural Society/Fowlerville Family Fair. She works directly with the Livingston County 4-H extension office, books entertainment and vendors with board direction, oversees the fair’s social media and web presence, books off-season events, and more.
Ms. Rhodes is an active member of the IAFE. She is a 2013 graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. She currently serves on the IAFE Membership and Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Committees. She also serves on the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She serves on the Workshop and Round Table Committee for the Michigan Association of Fairs and Expos.
Ms. Rhodes married her husband Jimmy in 2001. They have two children: Wyatt, age 10, and Katie, age 6. Her interests include antique tractor pulling, reading, writing, agricultural education and advocacy, visiting fairs and volunteering for various community organizations including Relay for Life and the Farm Bureau.
Ms. Rhodes attended the Detroit College of Business and had a double major in Economics and Business Marketing. Prior to joining the fair full-time, she served at several auto dealerships and a John Deere implement dealer. As office manager, Ms. Rhodes is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fowlerville Agricultural Society/Fowlerville Family Fair. She works directly with the Livingston County 4-H extension office, books entertainment and vendors with board direction, oversees the fair’s social media and web presence, books off-season events, and more.
Ms. Rhodes is an active member of the IAFE. She is a 2013 graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. She currently serves on the IAFE Membership and Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Committees. She also serves on the IAFE YPI Steering Committee. She serves on the Workshop and Round Table Committee for the Michigan Association of Fairs and Expos.
Ms. Rhodes married her husband Jimmy in 2001. They have two children: Wyatt, age 10, and Katie, age 6. Her interests include antique tractor pulling, reading, writing, agricultural education and advocacy, visiting fairs and volunteering for various community organizations including Relay for Life and the Farm Bureau.
Mentor Spotlight
Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas
How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since 1994.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas
How long have you been in the fair industry?
Since 1994.
What’s the best lesson you have learned in the industry / or the hardest?
Best Lesson --- Mistakes are not something to be ashamed of... You should always own up to mistakes and learn from them... they're really just a way of letting us know we really don't know everything!
What’s your favorite fair food?
I'm a traditionalist --- I like corn dogs and big, soft pretzels.
What do you feel is the biggest change / challenge you have faced?
Learning that I don't have to be in control of everything... this is really important when you work with a large number of volunteers. You need to be able to trust that other people can and will get things done.
What question would you ask a mentor?
What is it that makes you passionate about the fair industry?
If you could give one piece of advice what would that be?
Welcome feedback, critique and ideas from others.
Welcome feedback, critique and ideas from others.
What’s the one thing during the fair you can’t live without?
Support from my family.
What’s your advice on handling failure?
No one likes to fail, but sometimes I think we need to experience a failure in order to be better... Just don't let it stop you from trying again. Too often, people look at failure as the end, when really it's just the start. You know the old saying... "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"
What’s your favorite quote?
"Believe you can and then you will."
Who is your role model / mentor?
I think I've had a lot of mentors, but the two people in my life that I consider role models are my grandfather on my Dad's side and my husband... both were/are strong willed, passionate about what they did and very caring.
YPI Reminders
- Start seeding change and share how your fair is positively impacting your community. For more information and how to share your story, CLICK HERE.
- Join the YPI Facebook Discussion Group to connect with other YPI members, CLICK HERE.
- Tell us what you want to see featured in the YPI Newsletter, CLICK HERE.
