We will keep this page updated as we continue working with county partners and community members to resolve this situation.

Update, July 23:

We worked with the Josephine County 4-H Association leadership to make arrangements for swine pens to be returned to the fairgrounds this morning.

Pens were returned to the fairgrounds around 8:00 a.m. Community members and OSU Extension employees worked to unload them under the direction of fairgrounds management.

We are grateful for the cooperation of our Josephine County fairgrounds and fair board partners in helping us quickly prepare to receive the panels and to the dozens of community members who volunteered time this morning to help.

Message from OSU Extension: Sunday, July 21

We have received questions about swine pens being removed from the Josephine County Fairgrounds by 4-H volunteers. This is not part of OSU Extension’s planned closeout of local operations due to loss of county funding, and not occurring as part of directed 4-H volunteer service.

We have been in communication with our partners from the fairgrounds and fair board, and reached out to Josephine County 4-H Association leadership, to understand the situation. We have confirmed that pens were purchased with funds from the Josephine County 4-H Association (a separate organization), and we have encouraged that pens remain in place through the Josephine County Fair in early August.

OSU Extension’s commitment remains to work with our county partners to support a positive experience for all youth at the Josephine County Fair.

We are also committed to closing out local operations as smoothly as possible. This includes providing information that may assist our county partners—including the 4-H association and Josephine County fairgrounds—in clarifying questions about items used to support youth livestock activities at the fairgrounds.

Jamie Davis, OSU Extension Southern Region Director
Cathy Haas, State 4-H Program Director

Frequently asked questions

Who removed the pens?

Our understanding is that individuals acting as representatives of the Josephine County 4-H Association removed the pens on Sunday, July 21.

No OSU Extension employees were onsite at the fairgrounds while this occurred. We were notified by fairgrounds staff as it was occurring.

Will pens be returned?

Pens were returned to the fairgrounds on July 23.

Who owns the pens?

Our records show that these pens were purchased through the Josephine County 4-H Association in the amount of $76,297 in 2017.

We share the understanding that these funds represent widespread community contributions intended to support youth.

Typically, 4-H associations do not own property purchased that is purchased by the association for programming purposes. Livestock pens are an example of property that would be considered “program property.”

As we inventoried property in preparation for our planned closeout of local operations, we could not confirm transfer of swine pen ownership based on OSU or association records. On June 20, 2024, we informed the association they would retain ownership of pens with the expectation that they would manage this property in accordance with OSU Extension and 4-H program direction—specifically, our commitment to working with county partners to ensure a positive experience for all youth at the 2024 Josephine County Fair and to closing out local programs smoothly.

We are actively working with county, community, association and 4-H Foundation partners to seek additional documentation and information to clarify ownership and responsibilities for these pens and any other program property currently managed by the association.

Was OSU Extension involved in the decision to remove pens?

Our expectation was that pens would remain in place through the Josephine County fair, as part of our commitment to a positive fair experience for all youth. We shared this expectation with the 4-H association.

What will happen to pens after the fair?

OSU Extension supports pens remaining at the fairgrounds for the benefit of youth and livestock and we will work with the 4-H association and county partners toward this goal.

What is the Josephine County 4-H Association?

It is a tax-exempt organization that exists for the purpose of (1) providing information and advice to OSU Extension faculty and staff regarding 4-H program direction and operation and (2) mobilizing local resources in support of 4-H youth development programs.

The association is granted permission to use the 4-H name and emblem for this purpose by the OSU Extension Service, contingent on the association adhering to terms of the agreement between the two organizations.

The association obtains its tax-exempt status through the Oregon 4-H Foundation, which is a distinct entity from OSU.