2026 Oregon Fairgrounds College - Session 3 (04/09/2026)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

SESSION 3 will focus on 4H, FFA, State Fair & Exposition Center, and state veterinarian's office.

AGENDA

Thursday, April 9
- 10:00AM-10:45AM - OFA Fair Managers Only Roundtable
- 11:00AM-12:00PM - OFA Board of Directors
- 12:00PM-1:00PM - Hosted Networking Lunch
- 1:00PM-5:00PM - Classroom Session
- 5:00PM-8:00PM - No-Host Networking Dinner
Friday, April 10
- 8:00AM-12:00PM - Classroom Session
Saturday, April 11
- 9:00AM-3:00PM - Makeup/Extra Credit Session - Consumer Protection Program Workshop (separate registration required)

What is the goal of Oregon Fair College?
Educate New and Re-Educate Experienced Fair Managers, Staff, and Board Members on basic fair and fairgrounds operations and best practices in Oregon.

Graduation/Attendance Requirements

All sessions will be in-person only without a virtual option in order to promote networking among members. OFA members may attend individual sessions, but in order to graduate, attendance requirements listed below based on a 1-year or 2-year track are required.

Valedictorian Graduate with Honors (1-year): Attend all 6 fairgrounds college sessions and the OFA annual convention in person within the same year to earn Valedictorian Graduate with Honors status.
Salutatorian Graduate (1-year): Attend at least 5 of the 6 fairgrounds college sessions and the OFA annual convention in person within the same year to earn Salutatorian Graduate status.
Graduate (2-year): Attend all 6 of the fairgrounds college sessions and the OFA annual convention in person within a two year period to earn Graduate Status.
Makeup/Extra Credit Sessions: There will be one extra credit session each year that can be used as a makeup session for any of the 6 sessions and will go towards graduation requirements.

Registration Fee

FAIRS/FAIRGROUNDS Managers/Staff/Board Members: Each session will allow one individual from each fair/fairgrounds to attend for free. Additional attendees at the same session will be $55 per person. Please register separately for each session.

SERVICE MEMBERS: One Service Member is also allowed to attend each session for free - Please check with Service Member Directors Pat Wood or Courtney Latham prior to registering. Please register separately for each session.

2026 Dates

February 12-13, 2026 - Salem/Polk County Fairgrounds (Legislative/Statutes)
March 12-13, 2026 - Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds (entertainment)
April 9-10, 2026 - Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center (state veterinarian/4H/FFA)
April 11, 2026 - Makeup/Extra Credit Session (Consumer Protection Program Workshop) - Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center
May 14-15, 2026 - Tillamook County Fairgrounds (public safety)
June 11-12, 2026 - Josephine County Fairgrounds & Event Center (marketing/sponsorship/technology)
September 10-11, 2026 - Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center (vendors/food/carnival)

IAFE/OFA Consumer Protection Program Workshop (04/11/2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The IAFE, working with Dr. Stephen Neel of Technical Solutions International, developed the Consumer Protection Program workshop to help fairs understand enteric pathogens such as E. Coli and to provide information on controlling traffic flow in all animal areas (not just petting zoos), creating proper signage, installing hand-wash areas, and establishing specific cleaning protocols.

The workshop follows this format:

Part 1 Introduction to enteric pathogens: what they are, the impact to fairs, what’s at stake

Part 2 Understanding enteric pathogens: some microbiology!

Part 3 Analyzing facilities: Using a sample barn layout to diagram the flow of visitors and animals/exhibitors to visualize the critical intersections requiring interventions for risk management.

Part 4 Improving Operational Procedures: signage, handwashing, waste management, etc.

Part 5 Site evaluation exercises

Part 6 Record-keeping

Part 7 Creating the Consumer Protection Plan All attendees from each organization will be required to sign up for a one-on-one with Dr. Neel to examine their own facilities and work on ideas/plans. These are conducted, virtually, following the course.

Each attendee will receive resources with the details from the PowerPoint presentation, templates, and tools to return home and develop the best plan for their fair. The IAFE provides certificates of training to each attendee who completes all components of the CPP course. OFA hosts lunch and the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center is sponsoring the location.

A minimum of 20 registrants is needed for the class to be held. Deadline for registration is March 20th.

This workshop is also a "makeup/extra credit" session for Fairgrounds College and can be used for graduation/salutatorian/valedictorian requirements. A fairgrounds college session will also be held Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center.

Oregon Fairs Association upcoming events

2026 Oregon Fairgrounds College - Session 3 (04/09/2026)

IAFE/OFA Consumer Protection Program Workshop (04/11/2026)