Farm bureau wins big at state fair

By Andi Anderson

The 2024 Sale of Champions livestock auction, held on August 4 at the Ohio State Fair, concluded with impressive results. The event, hosted at the WCOL Celeste Center, showcased Ohio's premier livestock and celebrated the achievements of junior fair exhibitors.

Among the highlights were the grand champion and reserve champion livestock in several categories, including market beef, market barrows, market lambs, market chickens, boer goats, and more.

The auction raised a total of $260,500, with significant contributions from the Ohio Farm Bureau and its partners. The Farm Bureau, alongside Bob Evans, Kroger, and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, made notable purchases, including the Grand Champion Market Steer.

Exhibited by Annistyn Oszust of Tuscarawas County, the steer sold for $40,000. Of this amount, Oszust received $25,000, while the remaining $15,000 was allocated to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program, which supports junior exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair.

Additionally, the Farm Bureau, in collaboration with Bob Evans and Kroger, acquired the Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow, exhibited by Kole Bishop of Champaign County. This prized barrow sold for $35,000, with $9,000 going to Bishop and $26,000 benefiting the Youth Reserve Program.

The Farm Bureau also teamed up with Kroger and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association to purchase the Grand Champion Market Lamb, exhibited by Ava Shroyer from Logan County, for $13,000. This amount matched the cap allotted to the exhibitor.

The Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program, established in 1995, aims to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. This year’s Sale of Champions raised $134,500 for the program, which has awarded nearly $5 million to over 44,500 youth exhibitors since its inception.

The Ohio Farm Bureau and its partners continue to play a vital role in supporting youth agriculture and recognizing the hard work and dedication of young farmers across the state. The 2024 auction once again highlighted the importance of these efforts in fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Photo Credit: ohio-state-fair