New Youth Barn In Pleasanton Dedicated To 4H Member Who Died

PLEASANTON, CA — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of the Marissa Hunt Agricultural Education Center at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The 8,000-square-foot facility, which pays homage to a 10-year-old 4H member who died in a car accident in 2004, will eventually house about 80 animals.

“This beautiful new facility represents the Fair Association’s long-term vision and commitment to Alameda County’s future agricultural leaders,” Alameda County Fair Association Board President Gordon Galvan said. “We are extremely pleased to be able to offer them the resources they need to learn, grow and succeed in a safe and modern community environment.”

Five piglets currently call the new pens home. The building also features a classroom and meeting space, restrooms, wash rack, outdoor paddock and livestock scale. Fairgrounds staff and parent volunteers will operate the facility, which is available to youth group members who want to learn how to raise animals for the Fair’s annual Junior Livestock Show.

Alameda County Board Supervisor Scott Haggerty, Pleasanton Councilmember Kathy Narum, Dublin Vice Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Fairgrounds CEO Jerome Hoban, Fair Association Board Members, the parents of Marissa Hunt and families of FFA and 4H club members were among the attendees at the event, a fair spokesperson said.

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