COOPERSTOWN, NY - The Junior Livestock Show is a mid-summer tradition throughout Central New York.  Sponsored by The Farmers' Museum, the 64th annual Junior Livestock Show will take place Sunday, July 10 through Tuesday, July 12, 2011.  This three-day event brings together the area's best livestock and youth exhibitors from anine-county region.  More than 250 youth handlers and 750 animals will fill the Iroquois Farm Show Grounds located on County Highway 33 in Cooperstown for what will truly be a celebration of youth in agriculture. Admission to the show grounds is free, and the public is welcome to attend.

The event tests the skills of youth handlers ages eight to eighteen who present animals (dairy cows, beef, swine, dairy goats, and sheep of various breeds)that they own, care for, and have prepared for competition. Since 1947, TheFarmers' Museum has collaborated with the Cooperative Extension's 4-H program to produce the show, which is the second largest youth competition in New York State.

"The Junior Livestock Show is where the ideals of 4-H are put into practice and you can see the future of farming," says Vice President for Education Garet Livermore.  "The show is a culmination of months and months of hard work by the youth exhibitors raising and caring for their animal.  The feeling of camaraderie at the show is contagious." 
 
The Junior Livestock Show begins Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. with a chickenbarbecue for the public and show exhibitors by Miller's Barbecue. The cost for the barbecue dinner is $8 per person.   Then, join us at 7:30 p.m. for an ice cream social, open to participants and the general public - free of charge.
 
On Monday, July 11, judging of animals and showmanship classes, which test the handler's ability to present their fit and well-groomed animals in the way that best shows off their conformation, begins at 9:30 a.m. At 5:20 p.m. the NewYork Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health will lead a discussion on farm emergency response. Following at 6:00 p.m. they will award prizes for the 22nd annual FARMSAFE FOR KIDZ poster/slogan contest displayed in the visitor tent.
 
On Tuesday, July 12, judging begins at 9:00 a.m. At 2:30 p.m., the Grand Champions in the dairy, beef, dairy goat, sheep, and swine divisions will join the winners of the F. Ambrose Clark Livestock Trophy, The Farmers' Museum Cup, and The Farmers' Museum Dairy Goat Cup in a Parade of Champions.
 
The Junior Livestock Show is conducted in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension County 4-H educators and clubs throughout central New York.  On-site services are provided by the Leatherstocking Corporation.  Food services are provided by the Cooperstown American Legion Post 579.  The show is sponsored in part by NBT Bank and Stewart's Shops.  Thank you to business partner Otsego Telephone Systems.