To encourage more young people to exhibit livestock at the Missouri State Fair, the Missouri State Fair Foundation established a first-time exhibitor grant.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe was the first to put in funds for the grant. Then other foundation members and friends of the fair stepped up and donated more money. This year, the Missouri State Fair Foundation is offering 20 $500 scholarships to first-time exhibitors.

“It is a way to help the next generation get involved with showing livestock and the Missouri State Fair,” says Mark Wolfe, Missouri State Fair director.

Who is eligible?

In order to apply for the grant, the individual must be a Missouri resident, a member of 4-H or FFA and be between ages 8 and 18 at the time of application. The exhibitor may not have exhibited in any 4-H or FFA livestock class at the Missouri State Fair. However, they may have entered projects in the 4-H or FFA Building.

Grants will be awarded for these species: horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits and chickens. People can only apply for one grant, not one in each species.

The application process is online at mostatefairfoundation.net. However, the application must be signed by the exhibitor, parent or legal guardian, and a 4-H leader or FFA advisor.

The deadline to enter is March 20, with winners announced April 3.

Staying on track

After selection, the foundation requires the exhibitor to provide project updates via email or Facebook post each month, starting in April and leading up to the fair in August. The update will include a picture of you and your livestock entry with a few words describing what you have learned. These will be used for media and promotional purposes.

Grant funds will only be distributed once the individual provides a photo of them exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair, along with a brief essay about the experience. Exhibitors may pick up their check in the Missouri State Fair Foundation office during the fair, or checks will be mailed to the exhibitor after the fair.