NYS Fair 4-H & Youth Educational Contests

Purpose of 4-H involvement at State Fair

4-H is the youth education component of Cornell Cooperative Extension representing a partnership between the Cornell Colleges of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Human Ecology and County Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations.

Contest Rules and Premium Book

Official NYS Fair contest rules, information, schedule and Premium books are updated regularly. Exhibitors should regularly consult the NYS Fair How to Enter website for the most recent changes and deadlines.  Youth exhibitors should contact their local CCE Association before entering to verify eligibility to participate at the State Fair and follow carefully any instructions provided.  Below you will find links to the 2026 Premium Book and the updated NYS 4-H Horse Show Rule Book.

Contest Information and Registration

2026 Dairy Contests

Date:  Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Time: Contest begins at 12:30 PM

Location:  Dairy Cattle Center Arena

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

Dairy Challenge is a hands-on educational activity for 4-H Youth to test their understanding of the dairy industry, knowledge of how to properly manage a dairy farm, and evaluate top quality dairy animals. The Dairy Challenge program is designed for 4-H youth between the ages of 8 and 18 as of January 1st and culminates in a state-wide competition at the New York State Fair.

The primary purpose of 4-H is to create an environment of positive youth development and hands-on learning opportunities to help them grow into competent, caring, and contributing members of society. Participating in dairy skillathon activities like Dairy Challenge provides an excellent opportunity for youth to increase their dairy knowledge of in many facets of the dairy field using an applied and hands-on model.  The one-day competition held during the New York State Fair allows youth from across the state to showcase their skills both as a team and as individuals. Youth rotate through themed stations and answer questions on topics such as farm and food safety, meat and dairy product identification, and dairy reproduction.

Contest Entry Information and Resources:

For more information contact:  Debbie Grusenmeyer at djc27 [at] cornell.edu (djc27[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Thursday, August 27, 2026

Time: Contest begins at 9:15 am

Location:  Dairy Cattle Center Arena

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

The primary purpose of 4-H is to create an environment of positive youth development and hands-on learning opportunities to help them grow into competent, caring, and contributing members of society.  Participating in dairy cattle judging provides an excellent opportunity for youth to increase their knowledge of evaluating dairy cattle across the breeds but also develops life skills in communication, decision making, and reasoning. 

Dairy Judging contests teach youth to critically evaluate dairy animals based on breed standards and gain an understanding of how form affects function. Youth participating in these competitions learn anatomy and physiology of the dairy animal and gain capability in choosing the proper animal to take in the show ring or keep for breeding on farm. They also learn confidence and public speaking skills while defending the reasoning for their placements to the judges. Youth can find local opportunities and judging clinics by contacting their country 4-H educators.

Contest Entry Information and Resources:

For more information contact:  Debbie Grusenmeyer at djc27 [at] cornell.edu (djc27[at]cornell[dot]edu)

2026 Horse Contests

2026 Invitational Information Coming Soon

Details for the 2026 NYS 4-H Horse Hippology Invitational will be posted here as they become available. Please check back for updates.

2026 Invitational Information Coming Soon

Details for the 2026 NYS 4-H Horse Judging Invitational will be posted here as they become available. Please check back for updates.

2026 Livestock, Poultry and Companion Animal Contests

Date: Monday, August 31, 2026

Location: Coliseum, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

This skillathon is an educational activity to test youths' dog science knowledge. Youth also gain experience in decision making to further their success with canines. A state level activity was initiated for the first time in 2011 during the NYS 4-H Dog Show in Syracuse, NY. Activities generally consist of youth rotating through different stations.

Objectives:

  • Encourage youth to share and test their knowledge and skills at a local or state Skillathon contest.
  • To provide youth the opportunity to expand their knowledge about dogs.
  • To recognize youth for their comprehension of different aspects of care and how dogs can benefit society.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

For more information contact:

Kathi Chambliss
Email:  chamblisk [at] gmail.com (chamblisk[at]gmail[dot]com)

Date:  Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Location: Youth Educational Tent, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Livestock Judging contests train youth to critically evaluate production animals based on breed standards and qualities for food production. Participants learn more about anatomy and physiology of beef cattle, sheep, swine and meat goats. Youth gain skills to distinguish which animals are more likely to become future breeding stock or quality meat products. They also learn confidence and public speaking skills while defending the reasoning for their placements to the judges. Youth can find local opportunities and judging clinics by contacting their country 4-H educators.  4-H Livestock Judging activities may be held at the local, regional or state level.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

For more information

Brian Aukema, NYS 4-H Livestock Specialist
Email:  bja14 [at] cornell.edu (bja14[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Monday, August 31, 2026

Location: Youth Educational Tent, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

The Livestock Skillathon contests tests a 4-H member’s knowledge and comprehension of animal science and livestock management practices.  The contest provides an opportunity for youth to gain and develop production livestock skills and life skills through a competitive environment.  Livestock Skillathons focus on experiential learning and allow youth to solidify their learning with hands-on experiences.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

For more information contact:

Brian Aukema, NYS 4-H Livestock Specialist
Email:  bja14 [at] cornell.edu (bja14[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Friday, August 28, 2026 

Time:  Contest begins at 2:00 pm.

Location:  4-H Youth Building Stage, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026, no exceptions and no day of registrations.

The Youth Avian Bowl Contest is designed to:

  • To encourage youth to expand their knowledge of avian facts, and become proficient in poultry management, and related subjects.
  • To help youth with career guidance, and to promote the poultry industry, by stimulating their interest in poultry and other avian species.
  • To make learning fun.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

Download the fillable entry form found below and email to jcc98 [at] cornell.edu (jcc98[at]cornell[dot]edu) by Friday, August 21, 2026, no exceptions and no day of registrations.

Each county may send as many individuals as wanted. Teams will be selected by counties where possible. Other counties will be put together at registration to make up teams of 4. See the Youth Premium Book for contest details.

For more information contact:

 Jamie Churchill, Youth Poultry Avian Bowl Superintendent

jcc98 [at] cornell.edu (jcc98[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Friday, August 28, 2026

Time:  8:00 AM

Location:  Youth Educational Tent, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

The Youth Poultry Science Judging Contest is designed to:

  • Develop youth and help them learn the techniques of logical, accurate decision making; to learn to recognize the reasons for their decisions, and to develop the ability to express their reasons orally.
  • To help youth learn and understand standards used in poultry and egg production and marketing, and to apply the standards in a realistic decision-making situation.
  • To stimulate the learning process, interest, and enthusiasm.
  • To help youth with career guidance.
  • To promote the poultry industry.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

Download the fillable entry form found below and email to jls669 [at] cornell.edu (jls669[at]cornell[dot]edu) by Friday, August 21, 2026.

Each county may send one Junior and one Senior team, but no quota for individuals.
See the Youth Premium Book for contest details.

For more information contact:

 Jennifer Schwab, Poultry Science Contest SuperintendentJls669 [at] cornell.edu (mailto:Jls669[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Jls669 [at] cornell.edu (Jls669[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Friday, September 4, 2026

Location:  4-H Youth Building, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

The Youth Chicken BBQ Contest is designed to:

  • To develop leadership talents and to work toward achieving the broad objectives of developing sound character and effective citizenship.
  • To acquire scientific knowledge and improved understanding of the economy, versatility, and nutritional value of chicken meat and its relationship to human nutrition and health.
  • To help youth develop skills in the preparation and use of chicken and to acquire the ability to express their ideas proficiently and efficiently through participation in projects, talks, discussions, demonstrations, and exhibits.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

whipple6 [at] gmail.com (whipple6[at]gmail[dot]com)

 

Date:  Friday, September 4, 2026

Location:  4-H Youth Building, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

The Youth Turkey BBQ Contest is designed to:

  • To develop leadership talents and to work toward achieving the broad objectives of developing sound character and effective citizenship.
  • To acquire scientific knowledge and improved understanding of the economy, versatility, and nutritional value of turkey meat and its relationship to human nutrition and health.
  • To help youth develop skills in the preparation and use of turkey and to acquire the ability to express their ideas proficiently and efficiently through participation in projects, talks, discussions, demonstrations, and exhibits.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

whipple6 [at] gmail.com (whipple6[at]gmail[dot]com)

Date:  Sunday, September 6, 2026

Time:  Registration begins at 8 am; Contest begins at 9 am.

Location:  4-H Youth Pole Barn Arena, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 21, 2026

The Rabbit Science Skillathon event that uses the experiential learning model of doing, reflecting, and applying to test one’s knowledge.  In New York, skillathons can include anywhere from five to ten stations, each taking about five minutes to complete, although stations can be changed to fit the time available. Some skillathons offer different age- or skill-appropriate stations for novice (first time participants) to juniors and seniors. Youth move from station to station attempting to perform tasks such as matching breeds with descriptions, labeling animal body parts, identifying feed samples, demonstrating safe handling techniques, etc.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

The top ten individuals scoring in each division (Novice, Junior and Senior) will receive special recognition ribbons.  The top 3 cavy individuals and the top 2 cavy teams will be recognized with a rosette. Teams may have 3 or 4 members.  Only the top three scores will be added together for the team score.  Up to 4 members of the top teams in each division will receive a rosette. Counties may combine to form teams. The current quota is a maximum of 2 teams per division per county.

For more information contact:

Mollyhilderbrant [at] yahoo.com (Molly Hilderbran)t, NYS Fair Youth Rabbit Superintendent

Email:  Mollyhilderbrant [at] yahoo.com (Mollyhilderbrant[at]yahoo[dot]com)