COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Fair’s Sale of Champions livestock auction raised $26,500 this year. The event was held Aug. 4 at the WCOL Celeste Center.
More than $134,000 will be provided to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program to continue supporting Ohio’s youth in agriculture and beyond.
Established in 1995, the Youth Reserve Program was designed to reward junior exhibitors participating in the Ohio State Fair. In 2023, the program was renamed the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program in honor of retiring Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler, who was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the program. Strickler, who served as General Manager for 20 years, retired after the 2023 Ohio State Fair.
Funds for the program consist of the dollar amounts in excess of the caps that apply to the amount exhibitors can receive from the sale of champions. Funds from the program are distributed among more than 20 scholarships, an outstanding market exhibitor program, an outstanding breed exhibitor program, showmanship competitions, skillathons, and many other 4-H and FFA activities. Prior to the sale in 2024, the Youth Reserve Program had raised $5.1 million since its inception, supporting more than 45,400 youth.
MARKET BEEF
GRAND CHAMPION: Annistyn Oszust, Tuscarawas County | Buyers: The Kroger Company, Bob Evans Farms, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association | Price: $40,000 | Leading Price: $25,000;
RESERVE CHAMPION: Essie McGuire, Champaign County | Buyers: OKI, Inc., Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, NetSteady, SP+, Expo Services and Ohio Quarter Horse Association | Price: $22,000 | Highest Price: $18,000
Market cart
GRAND CHAMPION: Kylie Locke, Clark County | Buyer: Giant Eagle and Sugardale Foods | Price: $37,000 | High: $13,000;
RESERVE CHAMPION: Kole Bishop, Champaign County | Buyers: The Kroger Company, Bob Evans Farms and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation | Price: $35,000 | Highest Price: $9,000
MARKET LAMB
GRAND CHAMPION: Ava Shroyer, Logan County | Buyers: The Kroger Company, Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation | Price: $13,000 | Highest Price: $13,000;
RESERVE CHAMPION: Marshall Miller, Tuscarawas County | Buyer: Giant Eagle and Sugardale Foods | Price: $12,000 | Highest Price: $9,000
Meat chickens
GRAND MASTER: Alec Genter, Fulton County | Buyer: Giant Eagle and Springer Mountain Farms | Price: $21,000 | High: $7,000;
RESERVE CHAMPION: Ava Hester, Clinton County | Buyer: The Kroger Company and Gerber Poultry | Price: $11,000 | Highest Price: $5,000
MARKET Türkiye
GRAND MASTER: Isabel Newman, Muskingum County | Buyers: Cooper Farms, Faith Driving School, Bob Evans Farms, Farmer Boys, Sarka Electric and Dangler Excavating, LLC | Price: $15,000 | Highest Price: $6,000
Market Goat
GRAND MASTER: Maya McCoy, Fayette County | Buyers: Event Marketing Strategies, Talley Amusements, Tim and Glenda Huffman of Huffman’s Market and Faith Driving School | Price: $15,000 | High bid: $8,000;
RESERVE CHAMPION: Braxton Method, Auglaize County | Buyers: OKI, Inc, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, NetSteady, Expo Services and Ohio Quarter Horse Association | Price: $7,000 | Highest Price: $4,000
DAIRY
GRAND CHAMPION SWISS CHEESE: Pearl Valley Cheese, representing seven dairy champions and two of the best dairy showmen | BUYER: AG Boogher & Sons, Inc. and American Dairy Association Mideast | Price: $32,500 | Highest Price: $9,000
GRAND MASTER AYRSHIRE: Audry Sidle, Wayne County
GRAND CHAMPION BROWN SWISS: Aubree Topp, Shelby County
GRAND CHAMPION GUERNSEY: Savannah Thomas, Champaign County
GRAND CHAMPION HOLSTEIN: Colton Thomas, Champaign County
GRAND MASTER’S SHIRT: Lily Elsass, Auglaize County
BIG WINNER IN SHORTHORN MILKING: Aubree Topp, Shelby County
GRAND MASTER RED AND WHITE: Allison Francis, Darke County
SUPREME SHOWMAN: Week 1 – Lily Elsass, Auglaize County; Week 2 – Carissa Pittman, Wayne County
