BEAR BRANCH – Over 250 people gathered on Saturday for the Magoffin County Extension AG Field Day at the A & J Farm, on Bear Branch.
Ricky and Avavan Deaton hosted the event on their farm, with Avavan telling the SI she has been working field days all her life, with her grandfather, Kenny Montgomery hosting them annually.
“Papaw Kenny was one of the first to have field days in the county,” Avavan said. “I was raised in farming and that’s kind of how it goes. I’ve always done ag stuff all my life, and it’s great to bring the community together – farmers, retired farmers and families who have never even been around goats or farming – to help spread information and have a good, old fashion farm and family day.”
Avavan said they had a lot of community support, with the Magoffin County Extension Office, Magoffin County Health Department, Cornerstone Healthcare, Magoffin County Farm Bureau, Magoffin County Conservation, Forestry Department, Natural Resources Services, Farm Service Agency, Licking Valley RECC and West Liberty Vet Clinic involved in the field day.
Among the speakers were Jeff Salyer with Magoffin County Farm Bureau, Natural Resources Services’ Chris Slone, Farm Service Agency’s Kevin Whitaker, LVRECC’s staff and their demo trailer demonstrating farm safety in relation to powerlines and electric, and West Liberty Vet Clinic’s Dr. Ralph Adams, who discussed lime disease and herd health.
“We can’t thank our speakers enough,” Avavan said. “They provided so much entertainment and information for our farmers.”
People came from all around, from surrounding counties to Portsmouth, OH.
“We had a lot of farmers who had quit farming, but they brought their kids and grandkids to learn about it and a lot of these kids had never seen ponies, so they just enjoyed themselves.
Another popular attraction was Dip and Dot, the Angora goats Avavan borrowed from her neighbors.
Making it a true family affair, Avanan said her daughter, Jenna, and son-in-law, Justin also helped Ricky and Avavan set up and run the event. Art students from the high school helped with face painting and pumpkin crafts for children.
“It was just an educational and fun day for all ages,” Avavan said.
The Bluegrass band, Kentucky Truegrass, and singers from the Half Mountain United Baptist Church also performed at the event.
“COVID has changed so much, and we held this in 2019, then couldn’t have it the last two years, but we’re already looking at what we can add or do differently next time and people love to sit around and catch up,” Avavan said. “The kids were safe and entertained, so the adults could eat, talk to their neighbors and listen to music. We have a slogan at the shop of “faith, family and farming” and you can’t farm without all three.”
Avavan thanked all the sponsors, speakers, participating organization and all the neighbors that came out and supported the event.
“We had a lot of support from the community and this is what it’s all about,” Avavan said.
