Small Animal Meeting-Approved

September 2, 2026 at 5:30pm

 

Location: Fergus County Extension Agency

 

Attendance: Gisele Yaeger, Cassie Yaeger, Nicole Tholt, Cody Ream, Chris England, Dawn Ruckman, Sonja Gregory

Meeting Called to order by Nicole Tholt

 

Meeting Minutes Approved: June 08, 2026 (M-Gisele, 2nd-Dawn)

 

Treasurer:

 

$4125.72-Overall Checking

Financial Report Approved & filed for Audit (M-Dawn, 2nd-Cassie)

 

Old Business:

 

Winter Workbook Workshop - Reviewed that it went well for the few kids that attended. The amount of kids that are attending is down due to the Leaders Council not requiring project workbooks to be done.

 

Spring Showmanship Clinic-Went very smooth. Everyone liked having the dog start 30 minutes before the rest of the animals.

 

Dog Clinics- Nicole reported that they went well. She is looking for help this next year to get leaders/members trained to teach clinics

 

Rabbit Clinics - there were none this year. Need to make sure we get some clinics done to help rabbits especially for agility.

 

Motion to make 2 more keys for the small animal barn. Gisele made motion, Dawn second. Motion passed.

 

Fair Overview:

Barn setup and tear down: The committee had changed how this was going to be done The set up went ok, but the barn teardown did not happen as smoothly. Need to have Seena Pond at a meeting to discuss next year's set up & tear down.

 

Herdsmanship Award: There was none given this year. Chris England said that the Superintendents find someone to go look at the barn and give the award. This needs to be done next year.

 

Shows,Judges, clerking: The shows and judging went okay. We need to get a rabbit judge lined up for next year earlier. It was suggested that there should be a list of judges with contact information. Superintendents found their clerks and all went well.

 

Petting Zoo: Seena got the petting zoo set up and it seemed to go well.

 

Professional Pictures: Everyone loved the pictures. Going to ask the photographer if she would be willing to do the pictures again next fair.

 

New Business:

 

Policy changes: Motion: Cody Ream to look for other counties policy handbooks. He is to get those to the committee by October 15, 2026. Gisele made motion Dawn second. Discussion: we currently do not have a policy handbook except what is in the fair book. Need to have a policy handbook to hand out when someone signs up to do a small animal. Nicole said there are other counties that have detailed handbooks. Once Cody gets those to the committee we will meet and go over them to try to get a book together before the end of the year. The policy handbook would have the order of each show, especially poultry. It should also help us keep the fair shows going smoother as far as call backs and other items. Motion passed.

 

Barn Improvement/changes: There was much discussion on the barn needing some care. It is falling off the foundation, the front man door sticks, possibly roof leaking. Motion made to have the Extension office send a letter to the commissioners, Scot and the Fair board with the issues at the barn. Motion made by Dawn second by Gisele. Motion amended to have Cody get together with Seena Pond on the roof issue before sending the letter. Amended motion by Gisele second by Cassie. Amended motion passes. Original motion passes.

 

The next agenda needs to have the barn concerns on it. The Barn Superintendent needs to be at the next meeting to discuss the airflow and barn door being open during Fair.

 

Election of officers: Motion to defer to the next meeting. Gisele made motion, Dawn second. Motion passes.

 

Current roles:

 

Chair: Nicole Tholt

Vice Chair: Cassie Yaeger-willing to do another term

Secretary: Angela Berger

Dog Super: Nicole Tholt-willing to do another term

Rabbit Super: Delci Plouffe-willing to do another term

Poultry Super: Seena Pond-willing to do another term

Barn Super: Seena Pond-willing to do another term

Cat/Pocket Super: Chris England-willing to do another term

 

Winter Fair: a bit of discussion about fair. Only doing Rabbit showmanship & agility & cat showmanship and poultry. Possibly use left over gift cards. Gisele will get them from Hollie. Motion to have Chirs oversee the winter fair again. Gisele made motion, Dawn second. Motion passes.

 

Fundraiser ideas: there was some discussion. It was decided to keep doing the sponsorship forms for the fair. A dunk tank was suggested and Nicole will discuss with ambassadors first.

 

Fairbook Committee: Cody asked that there be someone there from small animal to go to discussion when the fair board meets. Gisele volunteered.

 

Fall Festival Petting Zoo: Gisele asked that the extension office announce that there will be a petting zoo and to contact Chris England if you want to be in it.

 

Next Meeting: October 22, 2026 @ 5:15

 

Adjourn: Gisele moved to adjourn the meeting. Dawn second. Meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.