NYS Fair 4-H & Youth Educational Contests

Date:  Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Check-in at 12:00 PM; Contest begins at 12:30 PM

Location:  Dairy Cattle Center Arena

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:

• Exhibitor Letter
• Dairy Challenge Pre-Registration Form
• Dairy Challenge rules and resources

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

Date:  Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Check-in at 9:15 AM

Location:  Dairy Cattle Center Arena

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:

• Exhibitor Letter
• Dairy Judging Pre-Registration Form 
• Dairy Judging rules and regulations

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

Date:  Sunday, August 25, 2024

Check-in at 7:30 PM / Contest starts at 8 am SHARP

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 2, 2024

The primary objective of the NYS 4-H Hippology contest is to provide an opportunity for youth participating in 4-H to
demonstrate their knowledge of and reasoning ability in equine science and management in a friendly and fair
competitive setting. Enrollment in a NYS 4-H Horse Project is recommended but NOT required. This contest is meant
to be a rewarding and educational experience. This year, the contest will consist of written and slide examinations,
identification stations, horse judging, and a team problem.

Qualifying:

Any youth selected by their region is eligible to complete at the state contest. Each region may send four (4) Junior and four (4) Senior teams to the state contest. If a region decided to split into an A & B, each may send two (2) Junior and two (2) Senior teams. Regions will be responsible for the selection of their teams. Teams must consist of three (3) or four (4) members to qualify for team awards at the State Competition. Teams with one (1) or two (2) individuals may compete but will only be considered for individual awards and may be combined with other teams at the discretion of contest officials.

Youth must register with their local 4-H county educator.

For State events, a junior youth must have reached their 9th birthday prior to January 1 of the current calendar year.

Rosettes will be given to the ten (10) high individuals and to members of five high teams (5 each for Junior and Senior).

The top 4 seniors will be asked to join the NYS 4-H Horse Nationals Team and will travel to Louisville, KY, to compete at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Contest Entry Information and Resources:

Only CCE County Educator or staff will be able to register youth via the CCE Event Registration for Programs portal.

• 2024 NYS 4-H Horse Hippology Contest Registration
• Hippology Rules and Resources
• NYS 4-H Horse Educational Events Rule Book

For more information contact:  Donna Walker, NYS 4-H Horse Hippology Chairperson, at dlw2 [at] cornell.edu (dlw2[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Date:  Sunday, August 25, 2024

Check-in at 7:30 PM / Contest starts at 8 am SHARP

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 2, 2024

The primary purpose of NYS 4-H Horse Judging contest is to recognize 4-H horse project members with outstanding knowledge of equine conformation and performance and also with outstanding skill in the presentation of oral explanations of their evaluation of the equines used in the contest. This contest is not always offered at the county and regional level, but it is offered at the State and National event. This contest provides a means for the selection of individuals to represent the state in regional and national competition is of secondary importance. For the state contest youth who are new to judging are able to participate in the Novice division, this allows them a chance to learn and not jump right into their Junior or Senior division if it is their first time judging!

Qualifying:

Contest Entry Information and Resources:

Only CCE County Educator or staff will be able to register youth via the CCE Event Registration for Programs portal.  Registration for this event is online only.  Youth must register with their local 4-H county educator.

• 2024 NYS 4-H Horse Judging Contest Registration
• Horse Judging Resources
• NYS 4-H Horse Educational Events Rule Book

For more information contact:  Colleen Wersinger, NYS 4-H Horse Judging Chairperson, at colleenwersinger [at] gmail.com (colleenwersinger[at]gmail[dot]com).

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

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:

• Dog Skillathon rules and resources

For more information contact:

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

Date:  Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Location: Beef Barn, NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY

Contest Entry information and Resources:

• Livestock Judging pre-registration
• Livestock Judging rules 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 26, 2024

Location: 4-H Youth Pole Barn Arena, 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:

• Livestock Skillathon Pre-Registration Form
• Livestock Skillathon rules 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 23, 2024 

Time:  Contest begins at 1:00 pm.  Registration – 12:30 pm. 

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 9, 2024

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 whipple6 [at] gmail.com (whipple6[at]gmail[dot]com) by Friday, August 9, 2024.

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.

• Avian Bowl Contest Entry Form
• National Avian Bowl resources

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

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

Date:  Friday, August 23, 2024

Time:  8:00 AM

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 9, 2024

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 9, 2024.

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

• Youth Poultry Science Judging Contest Entry Form
• National Poultry Judging resources

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

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

Date:  Friday, August 30, 2024

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 9, 2024

The Egg Chef Challenge is designed to:

• To develop and demonstrate leadership and communication skills.
• To acquire knowledge of quality standards, size classification, nutritional value, preparation and storage, functional properties, versatility, and economic value of eggs.
• To develop creative skills in the preparation, use, and serving of eggs.
• To learn to enjoy eggs as food.
• To use sound nutritional knowledge when planning meals.

Contest Entry information and Resources:

• Egg Chef Challenge Entry Form
• Egg Chef Challenge resources

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

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

Date:  Friday, August 30, 2024

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 9, 2024

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:

• Chicken BBQ Entry Form
• Chicken BBQ resources

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

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

Date:  Friday, August 30, 2024

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

Deadline to Enter:  Friday, August 9, 2024

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:

• Turkey BBQ Entry Form
• Turkey BBQ resources

For more information contact:

 Mary Ann Whipple, Youth Poultry Education Superintendent

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

Date:  Sunday, September 1, 2024

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 9, 2024

The Rabbit Science Decathlon is a skillathon type 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.

• 2024 Youth Rabbit and Cavy Events Exhibitor Letter
• Rabbit and Cavy Youth Science Decathlon registration
• Rabbit Decathalon rules and resources

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)