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OC Fair Livestock Supervisor, Nik Kieler, works year-round coordinating agriculture programming, Imaginology and other special programs at Centennial Farm. Though this is his 14th year working at the Fair, he has a long history with animals. “I have always been into animals,” Nik said. “I volunteered at Centennial Farm in High School, then got a degree in agriculture science in college, so I truly love working in this department. It has given me the opportunity to branch out.”
Though his typical day consists of livestock competitions, static exhibits, setting up show rings and paperwork, he always works hard to offer a helping hand when needed. “This year, there has been a lot of new staff members,” Nik said. “I have gotten the chance to spend more time outside with them helping them with competitions and prepping for the next day during the night time.”
Although he focuses on livestock during the OC Fair, he keeps busy in the off-season working the Fairs for L.A. County, Kentucky and San Bernardino by aiding in the refurbishment of their livestock programs and overseeing competition contracts.
Fair time is a busy time for Nik, but he never lets that stop him from accomplishing his goal of continuing to establish more livestock projects in Orange County for new hires in the future. “This is my legacy,” Nik said. “Agriculture is a dying area in Orange, but I was able to bring back a lot of competitions that we didn’t have before like breeding sheep, llamas and mini donkey shows.” Though he’s charged with keeping the livestock programs running as smoothly as possible, he is always on the lookout for ways to expand to new exhibitors to continue growing the department.
Nik has a great passion and devotion for the work, embodying the role and modeling exceptional qualities for other employees. He credits past supervisors for always believing in his career aspirations, and giving him the opportunity to simply be himself which has helped shape his own style of supervisor AND trustworthy friend. “I always tell my staff to have fun but to follow the rules,” Nik said. “The public is here to have a good time, but so are we.”
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