NYS 4-H Dairy and Livestock

08/30/2026

08/27/2026

A friendly reminder about this amazing program for teens interested in Livestock. The deadline has been extended to Sept 11 to help with the state fair chaos. ;)

🌟 Applications Open! 🌟

Are you a high school student interested in animals, agriculture, veterinary medicine, nutrition, marketing, or leadership? The NEW YORK STATE LIVESTOCK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (LAP) is an exciting opportunity to explore careers in the livestock industry while gaining valuable hands-on experience!

🐄 Open to students entering 11th grade and above from urban, suburban, and rural communities across New York State.

Through a series of immersive sessions held throughout the year, participants will:
✅ Visit farms, feed mills, fiber mills, processing facilities, and agricultural businesses
✅ Meet industry professionals and learn about career opportunities
✅ Develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and public speaking skills
✅ Build resumes, expand professional networks, and prepare for future careers

As the first program of its kind in the Northeast, LAP is helping prepare the next generation of livestock industry leaders.

📅 Program runs from Late Fall through Spring
📌 Participants must commit to attending all scheduled sessions and events
📄 Application requirements include a letter of reference and a basic resume

💲 Program Cost: $100
Thanks to generous support from the NYS 4-H Foundation and Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation, the fee includes accommodations, meals, and program supplies.

For more information, contact:
📧 Brian Aukema – [email protected]
📞 607-254-1208

08/26/2026

This time of year always seems to bring the same conversation. 👇🏻 🗣️

School is starting. Sports practices are underway. Fairs and livestock shows are still happening. And suddenly, kids who are involved in more than one thing are being asked to choose.

And that’s the part I struggle with….

We talk constantly about wanting kids to be involved. We want them outside. We want them working hard, learning responsibility, setting goals, finding their people, and staying committed to something bigger than themselves.

But sometimes, we make it nearly impossible for them to do exactly that. 💁🏼‍♀️

A livestock project isn’t something a kid picks up the week of the fair. These kids have been practicing too.

Their practice field might be a barn aisle.
Their equipment might be a halter and show stick.
Their teammate might weigh 1,200 pounds. 🐄
And their season didn’t start two weeks ago, it started months ago.

They’ve spent early mornings and late nights feeding, washing, walking, clipping, practicing, failing, adjusting and trying again. There are no rain delays on chores and no skipping “practice” because you don’t feel like heading to the barn that day.

And yes, sports absolutely matter too. 👏🏻 Our own kids play them. 🏑 We cheer from the sidelines, and we understand the importance of showing up and being committed to a team.

This isn’t about choosing one over the other.

Because…..👇🏻
FFA matters.
4-H matters.
Athletics matter.
Music, theater, jobs and other commitments matter too.

There is more than one way for a kid to learn responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, discipline and how to handle disappointment. 👌🏻

So maybe when those worlds collide, we can give kids, and families, a little more grace.

Because whether they walk onto a field, a court, a stage, or into a show ring, they’re learning to work hard, handle pressure, support others and show up even when it isn’t easy.

Different uniforms. Different arenas. Same lessons. 🙌🏻

Whenever we reasonably can, let’s help kids do BOTH! Right now, let’s give them every opportunity we can to discover what they love. 🍀💙💛

08/26/2026

If you’re heading to state fair week, join this alert!

It’s going to be a big day today! With the excitement of opening day plus two big concerts this evening with the All-American Rejects performing tonight here at The Fair’s Suburban Park and Pitbull performing at the Lakeview Amphitheater, remember to plan your parking accordingly!

For real time text updates on weather and security information, subscribe to our Fairgrounds Alert System  by texting NYSF to 888777!

08/21/2026

Today is the deadline for the Avian Bowl and Barbeque contest. No entries will be accepted after today. This is new this year! For more information and to sign up follow the links below.

https://cals.cornell.edu/nys-4-h-animal-science-programs/state-events/state-fair/nys-fair-4-h-youth-educational-contests

08/21/2026

If you’re heading to state fair, you may want to join!

The Great New York State Fair has a Fairgrounds Alert System to keep you informed with real-time safety updates! 🚨📲

Text NYSF to 888777 to get emergency alerts about weather, security, and other important info during the Fair and year-round events.

Fairgoers must subscribe to the alert system annually - so make sure you're signed up for the 2026 Fair!

08/19/2026

Final call on pre-registration. There are changes and some contest require pre-registration in order to participate. Get them in!

NYS 4-H Animal Science at the 2026 NYS FairDate:  Wednesday, August 26, 2026 through Monday, September 7, 2026Location:  NYS Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NYDeadline to Enter:  Monday, August 10, 2026 by 5:00pm  Purpose of 4-H involvement at State Fair 4-H is the youth education component of Cornell...

08/18/2026

Just a few days away Dairy Youth exhibitors!

08/12/2026

Get yours in!

‼️Attention Junior & Youth Exhibitors ‼️
Don’t miss your chance to be featured on the big screens during the 2026 Fair. Please submit slides by Monday August 24th to [email protected]