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2026 SULLIVAN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR

August, 2026

2026 Youth Fair In Numbers Yo u t h E x h i b i t o r s Young people from across Sullivan County showcased their hard work, talents, skills, and dedication.

Animal Species Represented Providing hands-on opportunities to learn responsibility, animal science, sportsmanship, and agricultural literacy.

Youth Fair Exhibits Showcased across the Youth Building and nine animal species, these exhibits reflected the creativity, commitment, and countless hours of learning invested by Sullivan County youth.

Sponsorships & Grant Funding Supporting educational opportunities, event operations, awards, recognition, and safe learning environments.

4-H Artisan Market Sales Youth entrepreneurs shared their creativity and business skills while connecting with customers.

Ne arl y

Livestock Auction Sales An extraordinary investment in local youth, agriculture, and the future of our community. The 2026 Sullivan County Youth Fair was a celebration of learning, leadership, agriculture, creativity, and community. While the numbers tell part of the story, each one represents young people gaining confidence, building skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Artisan Market

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

The 4-H Artisan Market continues to be one of the most exciting opportunities for youth to showcase their creativity while gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience. Throughout the Fair, young makers displayed and sold a variety of handcrafted items, including resin jewelry, beaded jewelry, custom cutting boards, bird feeders, wall décor, and other unique creations. Behind every item was a young person who invested time, patience, skill, and imagination into bringing their ideas to life. Through the Artisan Market, youth learn valuable lessons in pricing, marketing, customer service, financial literacy, and communication. They gain confidence as they interact with customers, explain their work, and see firsthand how their talents can create value for others. In 2026, community members showed incredible support for these young entrepreneurs, generating nearly $3,000 in Artisan Market sales. Every purchase represented more than a sale. It was encouragement, recognition, and an investment in a young person's growth and potential. The success of the Artisan Market demonstrates the power of providing youth with opportunities to create, innovate, and share their talents with the community.

Some of th e agricultu ra at the auc l products offered tion

4-H Youth preparing for the auction

Agricultural Auction

Growing Skills, Harvesting Success

The Sullivan County Livestock & Agricultural Product Auction celebrates the incredible variety of agricultural projects undertaken by local youth. While livestock remains a cornerstone of the auction, the event showcases so much more than animal projects. This year's offerings included everything from market steers, poultry, and rabbits to homegrown garlic, fresh florals, culinary herbs, handcrafted salt products, alpaca fiber hats, and other agricultural goods created, raised, grown, or produced by 4-H members. Each item represented months of planning, hard work, and hands-on learning. Youth developed skills in animal husbandry, horticulture, fiber arts, marketing, record keeping, financial management, and entrepreneurship while gaining a deeper understanding of the agricultural systems that sustain our communities. With approximately $80,000 in auction sales, community members demonstrated their commitment to supporting local youth and agriculture. Every bid was more than a purchase. It was recognition of a young person's dedication, an investment in their future, and a vote of confidence in the next generation of agricultural leaders, makers, and entrepreneurs. The Livestock & Agricultural Product Auction continues to showcase the diversity of Sullivan County agriculture while providing meaningful opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and succeed. Artisan M arket

Product

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CCE SULLIVAN

URAL K AGRICULT IN S R E V E N , THANK YOU SOCIETY!

C E L E B R AT I N G

IR'S THE YOUTH FA AN HALF OF SOCIETY AL UR FOR MORE TH LT CU VERSINK AGRI NE E TH , COUNTY RY AN HISTO HERE SULLIV ED A HOME W D GROW. AN , TE PE HAS PROVID M N, EXHIBIT, CO AR LE N CA E H TH YOUT IMPROVING AINING AND ESS FROM MAINT THE COUNTL NG TI OR PP SU TO S S ND NA OU , FAIRGR EEK POSSIBLE MAKE FAIR W TO ND OU DETAILS THAT YEAR-R CONTRIBUTE VOLUNTEERS THAT SERVES N IO IT AD TR A PRESERVING S. S OF FAMILIE OPERATIVE GENERATION CORNELL CO H IT W IP H RS NE RT EATE A PA R CR EI PS TH TY HEL LLIVAN COUN E, UR LT EXTENSION SU CU RI E AG . SPACE WHER ME TOGETHER WELCOMING MMUNITY CO CO D AN N, HIP, DS AR EDUCATIO EW ST EIR EFUL FOR TH ITMENT TO WE ARE GRAT ARED COMM SH D AN , S FOR DEDICATION RT PO UNITIE NINGFUL OP EA M G IN ID PROV H. LLIVAN LOCAL YOUT MAKE THE SU FOR HELPING U YO K AFTER YEAR. THAN AR YE LE IB H FAIR POSS COUNTY YOUT

Community, Partnership, & Tradition y t i n u m Com

g eversink A N e th of Members Society

Spirit

Different Era, Same Passion While exhibits, technology, and fair traditions may evolve over time, the commitment to supporting young people remains the same. Generation after generation, volunteers, families, and community partners continue to invest their time, talents, and hearts in the success of Sullivan County youth.

Learning Beyond the Ribbon

Our still exhibit judges do far more than award ribbons. Every still exhibit judge at the Sullivan County Youth Fair is a volunteer who dedicates an entire evening to reviewing exhibits, meeting with youth, and providing meaningful feedback. Drawing from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds, these generous community members help transform judging into a valuable learning experience for exhibitors of all ages. heir time, expertise, and encouragement help make the Youth Fair a meaningful learning experience for every exhibitor.

Their Impact on Youth

Growing youth. mmunity. Strengthening co dition. tra g vin ser Pre

Evaluate projects thoughtfully and fairly Provide constructive feedback and encouragement

Share specialized knowledge and real-world experience Help youth build skills, confidence, and a love of learning

A SHARED COMMITMENT Every ribbon, exhibit, and achievement is made possible by people who generously share their time, talents, and encouragement.

50 Years Honoring Bob & Linda Kays Community is built by people who show up year after year, and few exemplify that spirit better than Bob and Linda Kays. During both Youth Fair Work Night and the Opening Ceremonies of the Grahamsville Little World's Fair, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, Sullivan County 4-H, the Neversink Agricultural Society, and local elected officials recognized Bob and Linda for 50 years of dedication and service to Sullivan County 4-H, the Moo Juicers 4-H Club, the Sullivan County Youth Fair, and the broader fair community. Their decades of leadership, mentorship, volunteerism, and commitment to youth development have touched countless lives and helped create the traditions and opportunities that make the Youth Fair so special. We are grateful for their lasting contributions and proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone with the community they have helped build.

C OPPULTIVA ORT TING UNIT Y

Sullivan County 4-H

STARS OF THE SHOW RING Celebrating the dedication, hard work, and heart behind every animal project. For many fairgoers, the barns and show rings are among the most memorable parts of the Sullivan County Youth Fair. Throughout the week, youth exhibitors proudly showcased the animals they have spent months caring for, learning from, and working alongside. From dairy cattle and beef cattle to goats, sheep, swine, rabbits, poultry, alpacas, and horses, each species plays an important role in creating a vibrant and educational fair experience. Animal projects teach far more than livestock management. Through daily care, feeding, grooming, training, recordkeeping, and exhibiting, young people develop responsibility, patience, perseverance, and confidence. They learn to set goals, solve problems, communicate effectively, and adapt when challenges arise. Fair week brings all of that hard work together. Exhibitors participate in educational contests, shows, demonstrations, evaluations, and showmanship classes while sharing their knowledge with judges, visitors, and fellow exhibitors. Along the way, friendships are formed, skills are strengthened, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next. Whether in the barn or the show ring, every animal project represents a commitment to learning and growth. The photos on these pages celebrate the youth, animals, families, volunteers, and supporters who make these experiences possible and help keep Sullivan County's agricultural traditions thriving for years to come.

September 1, 2026

THANK YOU, SULLIVAN COUNTY

CCE Sullivan

The Fair May Be Over, But the Journey Continues The Sullivan County Youth Fair is the culmination of months of learning, hard work, and community support, but it is only one part of the 4-H experience. Throughout the year, youth develop life skills, explore new interests, participate in hands-on learning opportunities, build friendships, and discover their potential through 4-H programs and activities. As we reflect on another successful Youth Fair, we are also looking ahead. The lessons learned, memories made, and connections built during Fair week will continue to inspire our work as we prepare for another year of growth, learning, and opportunity for Sullivan County youth. Thank you for being part of the Sullivan County 4-H community. Whether you are a member, family member, volunteer, superintendent, judge, sponsor, buyer, or supporter, your involvement helps make these experiences possible.

Leading by Example TeTeen Leaders play an important role in creating a welcoming, positive, and engaging Fair experience for everyone who attends. Throughout Fair week, they volunteered countless hours assisting younger members, welcoming visitors, supporting events, answering questions, and stepping in wherever an extra set of hands was needed. Whether helping a first-time exhibitor find their way, lending support during busy events, or representing 4-H with professionalism and enthusiasm, these young leaders demonstrated that leadership is about service, responsibility, and community. Their dedication helped ensure the success of the Fair while creating a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for youth, families, volunteers, and visitors alike. By leading through action and setting a positive example, our Teen Leaders reminded us that the future of Sullivan County is bright.

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The 4-H Year Continues

While the Youth Fair may mark the end of one project season, it also signals the beginning of new opportunities. As the barns empty and exhibits are packed away, 4-H members across Sullivan County are already looking ahead to new projects, new goals, and new experiences. Annual enrollment, club meetings, workshops, leadership programs, community service projects, and educational events are just around the corner, offering youth countless ways to stay engaged and continue growing throughout the year.

ThThe lessons learned at the Youth Fair don't end when the ribbons are handed out. The confidence gained from trying something new, the responsibility developed through completing a project, and the communication, leadership, and teamwork skills practiced along the way continue to shape young people long after Fair week ends. Whether youth are exploring agriculture, science, the arts, healthy living, or civic engagement, 4-H provides opportunities to learn by doing and discover new passions.

THE SULLIVAN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR IN PHOTOS