The youth department is comprised of 4-H and FFA Youth exhibitors. The Hillsdale County Fair provides youth with the opportunity to showcase their projects and to be recognized for what they have learned throughout the year.
The 4-H program is a youth development program that involves volunteers in providing positive, experiential, educational opportunities for and with youth ages 6-19 years of age. Our mission is to create environments that build strong, healthy youth who are proactive in a complex and changing world. There are a number of 4-H clubs in Hillsdale County that meet the needs of our youth and offer learning experiences in a variety of project areas. If you are interested in finding out more about the 4-H program please contact the MSU Extension Office at 517-439-9301.
The FFA program provides Agri-Science education, leadership and career development programs to students grades 7-12. For additional information on opportunities in the FFA program contact your local school about a chapter in your area.
The following is our Youth Department Judging Schedule:
ALL EVENTS AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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Friday, |
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5:30 p.m. |
Dog Agility Classes |
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Saturday, |
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9:00 a.m. |
Pony Show |
| 10:00 - 4:00 | Sewing and Handwork judging |
| 10:00 - 4:00 | Foods and Nutrition judging |
| 10:00 - 2:00 | Dressage Judging |
| 12:00 p.m. | English Show |
| 1:00 p.m. | Poultry Show |
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4:00 p.m. |
Gymkhana Show (equine contesting events) |
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Sunday, |
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| 9:00 a.m. | Western Horse Show |
| 10:00 - 4:00 |
All Non-Livestock Projects Not Previously Judged |
| 10:00 a.m. | Rabbit Show |
| TBA | Horse Judging Contest |
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Monday, |
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| 8:00 a.m. | Goat Show |
| 9:00 a.m. | Sheep Show |
| 9:00 a.m. | Draft Horse Show |
| 9:00 a.m. | Barnyard Children |
| 3:00 p.m. | Sheep Lead Class |
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Tuesday, |
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| 8:30 a.m. | Dairy Show |
| 3:00 p.m. | Beef Show |
| 5:30 p.m. | Youth Department Parade (line-up at 5:00 p.m.) |
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Wednesday, |
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| 9:00 a.m. | Swine Show (Showmanship & Market) |
| 7:00 p.m. | Dairy Night (6-8 year old Dairy Show, Bred Heifer Sale, Dairy Products Sale, and Dairy Consignment Sale) |
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Thursday, |
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| 8:00 - 10:00 | Dog Grooming Station |
| 8:00 a.m. | Dog Show |
| 1:00 p.m. | Tractor Driving Skills Competition |
| 3:00 p.m. | Demonstrations, Public Speaking and Oral Interpretations |
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6:30 p.m. |
Small Animal Sale |
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Friday, |
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Saturday, |
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| 10:00 a.m. | Large Animal Sale |
| 2:00 p.m. | Dairy Animals' Judging Contest |
| 4:00 p.m. | Super Showmanship Show |
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Michigan State University |
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| Mark Williams | County Extension Director |
| Insa Raymond | 4-H Youth Development Educator |
| Mike Metzger | Extension Field Crops Agent |
| Jeannie Nichols | Family and Consumer Extension Educator |
| Candace Gardner | Health and Family Nutrition Program Associate |
| Jasneet Sharma | Land Policy Educator |
| Kimberly Jackson | Extension Secretary |
| Sally Kinney | Extension Secretary |
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Officers of 4-H Council |
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| President | Cindi Myers |
| Vice-President | Bonnie Shaffer |
| Secretary | Jessica Litwin |
| Treasurer | Dawn Johnson |
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Superintendent - Youth Department |
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Gene Goering & Lori Hull |
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Youth Division Fair Advisory Committee |
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| Todd Johnson | Equine |
| Tom Kushmaul | Dairy |
| Tom Schaedler | Large Animal Barn (Chairperson) |
| Kathy Grubbs | Small Animal Barn |
| Wayne Hardy | Domestic Animals |
| Carrie Town | 4-H/FFA Exhibit Building |
| Brenda Sunday | Action Activities |
| Carol Rufenacht | Human & Finance Resources |
| Bill Fowler | FFA Representative |
| Velvet Evans-Giacobassi | 4-H Program Representative |