Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partners Kroger and Bob Evans, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef and Market Barrow at the 2023 Sale of Champions livestock auction at the Ohio State Fair. The auction raised a total of $547,500, with $421,500 going to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef was exhibited by Beckett Winegardner from Allen County and sold for $37,500. Winegardner received $18,000 from the sale, with the remaining $19,500 going to the Youth Reserve Program.
The Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow was exhibited by Logan Deel of Gallia County and sold for $35,000. Deel received $9,000 from the sale, with the remaining $26,000 going to the Youth Reserve Program.
The Youth Reserve Program was established in 1995 to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $5 million to more than 44,000 youth exhibitors.
The Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program was renamed earlier this year after the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair general manager, who spearheaded the program, announced his retirement after 30 years of service.
Ohio Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization that works together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen communities.
Photo Credit: Ohio Farm Bureau
Categories: Ohio, Business