To participate in EMPIRE SWINE YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP:

 Division A:

  • Enter and show at least 1 market hog at the New York State Fair Youth Show, following all the Fair’s rules.
  • Designate 1 market hog to be the contest hog at weigh-in.  If a youth does not have a hog in the contest weight range of 220 – 280 lbs., they are eligible for the contest, but will not receive live placing points.
  • Enter the appropriate Fitting and Showmanship class.  Youth must use a market hog in showmanship if they have one.
  • Complete the project record, using the contest hog’s information.
  • Participate in the oral interviews, which are 3 five minute discussions with adults about your project and industry knowledge.
  • Take the knowledge review which has questions pertaining to raising pigs and producing pork.
  • Answer the skillathon questions of identification and hands-on practical skills.
  • Judge 2 classes of pigs and answer questions on 1 of the classes.
  • Keep your pen and aisle neat and clean, and take good care of your animals for herdsmanship points.
  • Points assigned each segment are:  
Scan measurements

15

Records

30

Herdsmanship during the show

5

Judging

15

Showmanship

15

Conformation of the hog (live placing)

15

Oral interviews

60

Knowledge review

50

Skillathon (hands-on / ID)

20

Contest Total

225

Division B:

  • Does not show a pig at the State Fair, but completes the record on a market hog they raised, participates in the oral interviews, knowledge review, and skillathon for a total of 160 points. 

Additional points are available:

  • Empire Farm Days                                                        2

Volunteer to help one day in the NY Pork Producers Barbeque tent at EFD.

  • Obtaining a sponsor                                                      2

Get a local business or someone to make a donation to the program to increase the prizes we can give.

  • Presentation and/or Display                                           3

Give a public presentation in the show ring or make an educational display, which will educate and inform the fair spectators about our pigs and projects.  Each one can be worth up to 2 points, with a maximum of 3 points if you do both.