By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — While the summer is young and thoughts of the Kentucky State Fair remain almost three months away, youth exhibitors are hard at work readying themselves for the three livestock expos which serve as qualifying events that could lead to Louisville in August.

The Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos (KJLE) will showcase state livestock and exhibitors starting next week.

“Kentucky’s most important agricultural product is our youth,” said Ag Commissioner Richie Farmer. “These young people are our farmers and leaders of tomorrow. And it does me proud to see these young men and women spending the summer in such productive pursuits, striving and competing with their peers for $100,000 in premiums that are up for grabs over the next two months, as well as Kentucky Proud points.”

The Kentucky Proud Points Program awards points to exhibitors, animals and breeders for their best performances in shows sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA).

Points earned in the Junior Livestock Expos carry more weight than those of any other show except the State Fair and those exhibitors who earn the most points are honored at an awards banquet on the first Saturday in December.

In order for participants to qualify for state fair exhibiting, they must either participate in one of the expos or a district show sponsored by the KDA.

The schedule for the KJLE East is June 9-10 at Morehead State University’s Derrickson Agricultural Complex. The KJLE Western Rivers is scheduled for June 26-27 at Murray State University’s William “Bill” Cherry Agricultural Expo Center. The KJLE West show is July 25-26 at the Western Kentucky University Farm in Bowling Green.

The expos bring FFA and 4-H members, approximately 400, to participate in the two day events. The first day is for educational events and contests, such as the skill-a-thon and a judging-type evaluation of the animals including oral arguments to defend their decisions, something Steve Mobley, director of the KDA’s Division of Shows and Fairs said is invaluable to the participants.

“I think that is a valuable skill for these kids to have is to be able to evaluate the animals and make a decision, stick with the decision and then be able to defend it. That’s one of the things that we stress and try to teach that is important,” he said. “Farm kids have a very good work ethic. The livestock knowledge is important but just as important is the responsibility and work ethic they learn.”

But more and more of the “city kids” are learning those same values as many of the youngsters involved are coming from a more urban setting. Mobley said many of the participants will come from Counties such as Boone, located near the Cincinnati area.
According to the KDA, last year, 1,940 animals were exhibited, an increase of 62 from 2006.

For details, including rules, schedules and directions, visit www.kyagr.com/marketing/fair/kjle.htm