NY State Fair Empire Swine Youth Scholarship

2017 EMPIRE SWINE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

“UNDER CONSTRUCTION”

 The New York Pork Producers would like to announce the 2017 Empire Swine Youth Scholarship Contest, “Under Construction” to be held at The New York State Fair from August 27^th – 30^th!  Do you know youth showing at their county fairs, raising hogs on their own, or simply interested in the industry?  If so, spread the word!  We are always looking for new participants and individuals to make a contribution to the event.  Our opportunities for sponsorship and to volunteer are better than ever. The ESYS Committee has been working hard to make this years event the best one yet filled with great fun, new friends, incredible sponsors and more. Dig into these details, get your pig ready, round up your construction site tools to decorate your pen with. Contact info@newyorkpork.org or 585-813-4583 for more information. 

Details about the contest:

LOCATION / LODGING / PROVIDED FOR HOGS

The Empire Swine Youth Scholarship is held in conjunction with the Great New York State Fair from August 27th—August 30th.  Pigs will be housed in the Swine Barn on the fairgrounds.  Pens, shavings or sawdust, and wash racks are provided for the pigs being exhibited.  Families exhibiting may contact the New York State Fair to secure a spot on the grounds for camping, contact local extension educators for information on staying in the 4-H dorms, or secure local hotel rooms.

ENTRIES / RECORDS

To enter the Empire Youth Swine Scholarship complete the 4-H swine entry form for the New York State Fair and indicate your interest on the appropriate section.  All exhibitors showing a market hog will be automatically enrolled, .  The form can be found at your local 4-H office or the link below.  The entry deadline is August 14, 2017.

To participate in the contest the contest record form must be completed on the animal being used for the contest.  Records are graded out of 30 possible points.

SHOWMANSHIP / CONFIRMATION / HERDSMANSHIP

Showmanship and confirmation classes need to be entered on The New York State Fair 4-H Entries.  These contests will contribute to the 270 total points available.  Blue Ribbons receive 20 points / reds receive 15 points/ and whites receive 10 points.  You can use another exhibitors market hog for showmanship but cannot use another exhibitors market hog to receive confirmation points.  The market hog selected for the contest must be show for showmanship.

Herdsmanship points are awarded for participation in the barn and cleanliness of pens and tack area.  10 blue / 5 Red / 0 White.

PORK QUALITY ASSURANCE PLUS

Pork Quality Assurance Plus certification is no longer optional, this year the certification will be required for all exhibitors.  Exhibitors will receive 2 points for being certified.  Exhibitors can come to the event certified or they can be certified at the show on Sunday, August 27th at 5:00 P.M.  An adult certification will be hosted after the youth training.

KNOWLEDGE REVIEW / SKILLATHON / INTERVIEWS

A skillathon contest and written examination will be required for youth participating in the event.  Questions on the written examination will be taken from chapters 5 and 9 of the Ohio State Swine Manual.  If you need to purchase a manual click on the link below and it will take you directly to the website.  Questions will also be taken from this years featured article, click the link below Current Feature Article-Biosecurity.  The skillathon exam will cover basic swine knowledge.

The skillathon is out of 40 possible points and the knowledge review out of 35 points  for juniors and 50 points for seniors.

Interviews with three industry representatives will be hosted.  The interviews are worth 60 possible points.  Youth should expect questions on the swine industry and basic care of their projects.

NEW YORK PORK PRODUCERS ANNUAL MEETING

For attending the New York Pork Producers Annual Meeting in January 2017 youth participants will receive 2 additional points towards their scholarship points total.  Youth attendance was recorded at the event.

EVENT SPONSORS

Do you want to share your love of the Empire Swine Youth Scholarship?  We want you to!  This contest is not possible without the support of industry members.  Share your story and encourage them to make a contribution to the 2017 event.  Use the letter attached to share more information on the event and how they can become a sponsor.  Youth participants are encourage to secure as many sponsors as possible.  Two additional points will be secured for each sponsor secured, a maximum of four points will be awarded.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS / EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY

Optional for those participating in the ESYS.  Prepare a short presentation or speech to help educate fair goers on the swine industry, your project, and agriculture.  Youth will be expected to share their presentation with an audience.  A maximum of 5 additional points will be awarded.

For upwards of 2 points, youth can prepare and display an educational display or single poster.  This is not required but an opportunity to further education for those visiting the “construction zone” to learn more about the swine industry.  Poster content could include but is not limited to; breeds of swine, ear notching, swine diseases, fun facts, ect.

NEW THIS YEAR : EDUCATIONAL SWINE INDUSTRY EVENT ATTENDANCE

The New York Pork Producers will not host a booth at Empire Farm Days in 2017.  The points awarded for attending and assisting at Empire Farm Days have been reallocated to completing the form for attendance at an educational swine industry event.  The form should be included with the participants records.  Examples of educational swine industry events include; attending a hog show / attending another counties fair / assisting at a farm focused event / completing agriculture in the classroom type activities / touring a farm or operation focused on agriculture production with a focus on swine.  Participation is not required, 2 additional points will be awarded for those completing.