Cindy Hoye
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health has a new home at the Indiana State Fair. Some might remember it as the 4-H girls’ dormitory; but, since 1991, the third building of the 4-H complex on the NW corner of the state fairgrounds has been closed and abandoned. Now it has been remodeled and reopened as a conference center and home to several key state agencies. State Fair Director Cindy Hoye says the new concept is good for the Fair and good for agriculture, “This fits well into our mission to promote agriculture, 4-H, and youth education.”
Dr. Bret Marsh
The third floor of the building contains conference rooms, a banquet area, and dormitory. Hoye says this facility will be used by 4-H youth during the State Fair and can be rented out by other groups during the year. The second floor houses the Purdue University – Marion County Cooperative Extension offices and the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District office. The first floor is the new home of the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH).
For the BOAH, this is the third new location in as many years; but State Veterinarian Dr. Bret Marsh says the new facilities and location are ideal, “We moved in on December so we have had a few weeks to get settled, and the facilities are great.” Marsh said the location is especially suited for BOAH since most livestock owners know where the State Fairgrounds are.
Marsh says having the BOAH located on the grounds of a major livestock facility like the State Fair is truly unique, “We have a very close relationship with the State Fair, and we will be on the grounds for the 2012 State Fair.” Marsh says several major livestock meetings have been scheduled at the BOAH offices in the near future. The State Fairgrounds are also the site of several major livestock shows during the year including the Hoosier Beef Congress. Having BOAH on-site will be a major asset.
The BOAH offices have adequate space for all the various divisions as well as for all the electronic and paper files the agency must maintain. During a tour that HAT was given, it was stated that all the furniture was moved from their former office or was state surplus. The only new equipment purchased for the new office was a coat rack for the Conference room.
Marsh says the move to the State Fair is for the long run since the lease with the Fairgrounds is a 10 year lease. Marsh praised the State Fair for their preparation of the space for BOAH. The employees HAT spoke with were very pleased with the new office location and layout.
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