It’s officially fair season here in Central Florida, and Polk County’s youths — we like to call them the future of ag — are about to kick into high gear at the Polk County Youth Fair later this month.
While the students have been prepping for months, now it’s your turn to step up. When you show up for these kids, you’re doing a lot more than just buying a hog or applauding a steer in the ring. Far more than that, you’re investing in the future of agriculture and the character of the next generation.
More Than Just a Livestock Show
Walk through the barns during the fair and look closely at what’s happening.
You’ll see kids and teens up before dawn, washing a heifer in the cold morning air. You’ll see a middle schooler frantically double-checking their record book to make sure every feed receipt is accounted for. While these kids love these activities, they aren’t hobbies. They’re intense, year-long projects that teach responsibility, financial literacy, and grit.
When you attend the fair, you witness the culmination of hundreds of hours of labor. Maybe you’re there to bid on a market hog at the auction. That money often goes directly into a college fund or helps purchase next year’s project animal.
But even if you aren’t bidding, your presence matters. Stopping by a student’s pen to ask about their animal’s breeding or feed program gives them a chance to practice public speaking and demonstrate their knowledge. You’ll be amazed at the detailed answers you get from a twelve-year-old about rate of gain or genetic traits.
How You Can Make an Impact
Support doesn’t always look like a checkbook. It looks like a packed grandstand during the showmanship competition. It looks like walking through the exhibits in the Stuart Building to admire the horticulture projects, sewing entries, and baked goods. These students pour just as much heart into growing the perfect strawberry plant or baking a blue-ribbon pie as others do raising cattle.
Take the time to shake a hand and say “good job.” You can also support the businesses that sponsor the events and participants. When you support those local businesses, you help keep the ecosystem of support alive for next year.
The Polk County Youth Fair is a showcase of our community’s best assets: our kids. They’ve done the heavy lifting. Now they need you to show up, cheer loud, and let them know their hard work is both seen and valued. See you at the fairgrounds!