Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest

Just a reminder, the link for the 2023 Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest is open! As always, pre-registration is mandatory for participation.

REGISTRATION CLOSES JULY 10th!

A few tips for this year’s contest:

  • Attached are the rules for you to review: 2023 Livestock Judging Rules
  • You also have a copy of the contest instructions that may be useful to go over with your team members prior to the contest: Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Instructions
  • If 4-H members from Fairfield County wish to put together a team for this contest, please contact Leslie Cooksey by July 7th with name(s) of participant(s).
  • Please note there is no organized 4-H Livestock Judging Team/Program currently in Fairfield County. However, anyone is welcome to participate in the Ohio State Fair Livestock Judging Contest.
  • You will have to have a county extension professional sign off on your team members!!!

Ohio State Fair Commercial Cattle Show Info

Commercial Cattle Show: Saturday, July 29, 2023 Ohio State Fair

Deadline for entries is July 21

WHAT IS THE COMMERCIAL CATTLE SHOW?

  • The Commercial Cattle Show is an exhibition in which cattle are shown in a pens of three.
  • Cattle will be evaluated on a live and carcass basis.
  • Cattle will be shown in three groups: Native Beef, Beef on Dairy, and Dairy.
  • They must also be penned by sex.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

  • Any exhibitor who has involvement with cattle may participate.
  • There will be a junior and an open division.
  • Youth under the age of 21 and organized youth groups are invited to participate in the junior division.
  • All junior cattle will also be eligible to participate in the open division.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

IMPORTANT CHANGES From prior years

  • Additional divisions
  • Beef x Dairy
  • Dairy
  • Shorter duration

– Cattle can arrive on Thursday, July 27.

– All cattle must be in place by Friday evening, July 28. Cattle will weigh Saturday morning and show Saturday afternoon.

  • Options for UPI collection points to transport cattle to the Ohio State Fair.
  • Possible collection points include Eaton and Bucyrus. Additional sponsorships for 2023 and increased premiums.

Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathons – NOW OPEN!

Please review current In-Person & Virtual Ohio Youth Skillathon Information.

Open to any Ohio youth, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18, this is a separate virtual event to allow broader participation in 2023. You do not have to exhibit a particular species to participate in that species Skillathon. Virtual Skillathon participation does not qualify a youth participant for outstanding market exhibitor awards. Proctored Virtual Skillathon at the Ohio Expo Center will qualify for the Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor awards.

Participation in the In-Person & Virtual Ohio Youth Skillathons will be meet the Fairfield County Junior Fair Skillathon requirement. Please note that if a member chooses either of these options, project record books will need to be completed and turned into the OSU Extension Office by Friday, September 22nd so that they can be reviewed. If participating in the Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon, members must have completed this by midnight, September 1st.

Individuals completing the virtual OSF Skillathons will receive their score/certificate at the completion of their Skillathon. Please screenshot/print this certificate for your records.

2023 Ohio State Fair Information

Ohio State Fair 2023 Livestock Schedule: July 16 – August 6, 2023

  • The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions is 12:59 p.m. on June 21, 2023, with the exception of the Horse Show, which closes at 1 p.m. on July 1, 2023.
  • Livestock Competitions: https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions
  • In order to be more consistent with statewide livestock exhibition ownership rules, the Ohio State Fair has listed animal ownership dates below:

Market animals:

  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 26
  • Market lambs – May 26
  • Market goats – May 1
  • Dairy feeders – May 26
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch

Breeding animals:

  • Breeding Beef – June 1
  • Breeding Swine – June 1
  • Breeding Sheep – June 1
  • Breeding Goats – June 1
  • Breeding Poultry – June 1
  • Breeding rabbits – June 1
  • Dairy Cattle – June 1

Exhibitor Information and Supplemental Forms

Quality Assurance should be completed for Ohio State Fair exhibitors by June 1st

Fairfield County 4-H and FFA youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2023 to meet the 45 days prior to the Ohio State Fair exhibition (as required by the Ohio Department of Agriculture). Youth who do not meet this requirement, will have any entries denied.

If youth still need to complete Quality Assurance to meet this requirement and your club/chapter is not planning to host their own QA Clinic by June 1st, we recommend you complete QA through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals online modules or attend the countywide makeup QA Trainings on May 6th or May 21st.

  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Saturday May 6th from 9:00-10:30 a.m. or Sunday, May 21st from 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. in the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds. An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2023, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Instructions for using the new website can be found at: 2022 YQCA Website Instructions
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2023 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually).
    • When you are finished, please send name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Last Call: Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) Applications due May 15th!

The Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! This is an opportunity for teens 13-18 as of January 1 to get a short-term leadership experience at the state level. Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp and are due by May 15, 2023.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2023.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 11 or July 17)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sarah (longo.79@osu.edu)

Ohio State Fair Scholarships: Due May 1st (not just for livestock exhibitors!)

In an effort to recognize the quality youth of Ohio, and to help those interested in furthering their education, the Ohio Expositions Commission has established a Scholarship Program for Ohio State Fair participants.

The purpose of these scholarships is to assist high school juniors and seniors and graduates who are continuing their education at an accredited institution in an under graduate course of study in any field.

The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to not issue a scholarship if no applicant fulfills the requirements.

Rules

The applicant must be a high school junior or senior or a graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in an under graduate course of study. They must reside in the State of Ohio and must have been both eligible to be a participant in the Junior Fair (not older than 19 years of age as of January 1, 2023) and must have served as an active participant in both the Ohio State Fair Junior Division and their local county fair.

All questions on the application form must be answered to be considered for an award. High school and/or college transcript must be attached, along with copies of ACT and/or SAT scores. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Applications will be judged on the following basis:

  • 20% Scholastic Standing
  • 20% Citizenship and Leadership
  • 25% Ohio State Fair Participation
  • 20% County Fair Participation
  • 15% Essay

Applicants may be required to be interviewed at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Previous winners are eligible to compete, as long as they meet the above requirements.

Scholarship winners will be notified by July 26. All scholarships will be awarded during the Sale of Champions at the Ohio State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 6.

The Hall of Fame Scholarship will be awarded during the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, August 3.

Completed applications must be submitted by May 1, 2023. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online. Visit this link to access scholarship information and application. 

Questions? Email the Ohio State Fair at info@expo.ohio.gov.

Attention STATE FAIR livestock/dog/horse exhibitors – PLEASE READ!

Those who plan to exhibit at the 2023 Ohio State Fair will need to complete their Quality Assurance by June 1st, 2023 (this is a recommended deadline set by the Fairfield County Senior and Junior Fair Boards to meet ODA requirements). Members must also be enrolled at the county level by April 15th in the project(s) they intend to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair. Our office will be asked to verify both QA  completion and that members are enrolled in the correct projects (breeding projects, for example) on all Ohio State Fair junior livestock entries.

Ohio State Fair dates are July 26 – August 6, 2023. Entries will be due by 12:59 p.m. June 21st (online).

4-H and FFA members must make OSF entries online at https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock

No late OSF entries will be accepted. Additionally, you may review the link above to confirm rules and possession dates for the Ohio State Fair.

Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) Applications Available!

The Ohio 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available! This is an opportunity for teens 13-18 as of January 1 to get a short-term leadership experience at the state level. Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYAapp and are due by May 15, 2023.

  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2023.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 11 or July 17)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sarah (longo.79@osu.edu)

Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board Applications Open – due 3/1/2023

Encourage your organization members to attend the virtual information session to learn more about JFB!

The Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is made up of our great state’s best and brightest young leaders, hand-picked to contribute to the success of the Ohio State Fair each year. These students come together for two weeks of hard work, building enduring friendships, and professional relationships along the way.

JFB virtual information session

Details: Join us for a virtual information session where past Junior Fair Board members will share the ins and outs of the position and answer questions from participants!
A recording of the session will be available at ohiostatefair.com/jfb the following day.

What are the requirements for my organization members?

In addition to being an outstanding leader, prospective members should meet the following general criteria:

  • 16 – 20 years old
  • Currently a member of 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or Farm Bureau
  • Highly involved members in their organization
  • Significant accomplishments within the organization (i.e. competition at the state and/or national level, leadership experiences, community service/volunteer experiences, etc.)
  • Leadership experience with the potential and desire to continue to grow as a leader
  • Very responsible, respectful and professional
  • Members are only eligible to serve one two year term on the JFB representing one organization

What is the time commitment?

Junior Fair Board members commit approximately two weeks of time to the Ohio State Fair, arriving the Monday prior to the Fair’s Wednesday opening. First year Junior Fair Board members are paid a flat-rate stipend for their service; returning members will receive a higher stipend for their second year of service.

How do my organization members apply?

Member of 4-H, Boy Scouts, Farm Bureau, FFA, and Girl Scouts are eligible to apply. Interested students can also apply to serve as an at-large member if they represent one or more of these organizations. All interested applicants should submit the official Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board application through the online application portal between January 1 and March 1.