The California Youth Ag Expo has tried to set itself apart from county fairs and other youth livestock exhibits by focusing exclusively on the youth.

Participation has more than doubled since the first year in 2020 with more than 900 young people competing this year in animal competitions, ag mechanics, fabrication and ag-focused speaking events, said Regina Schneider, CYAE’s interim director.

“I grew up showing at the state fair, but with CYAE the youth are why we are doing it while at state and county fairs they’re just an exhibit,” Schneider said. “They’re at fairs for people to come and look at. We don’t have the rides or anything like that. This show is about the kids.

“Ag is a very hard world to be in, and we wanted to make sure these kids, number one, wanted to stay in agriculture, but also that they were getting rewarded for all the hard work they’re putting into it.”

She noted that there were representatives from all 58 California counties at this year’s show.

When the Expo launched, it was solely a livestock show, Schneider said. Since then, it has added speaking competitions in 2021, ag mechanics in 2023, and fabrication and auctioneering in 2025.

In ag mechanics, students bring projects they have built while fabrication challenges teams of four to six students to build a specified project from scratch in two days.

“Fabrication is a big deal that’s coming up with FFA,” she said. “They start from scratch with a pile of pipe and an axle on the ground and have to cut it, weld it and build it into, say, a barbecue trailer.”

Winning students can earn between $550 and $2,000 in scholarships, as well as proceeds from the sale of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. While participants pay modest entry fees, the vast majority of funding comes from sponsors – CYAE doesn’t even charge for parking or admission.

“It takes a lot of money to make this happen, so these sponsorships really keep it going. Without those, the Expo would not be possible,” she said, noting the budget has grown from around $250,000 in 2020 to over $750,000 today.

Farm Credit is a major sponsor, noted Heather Hospenthal, Relationship Manager with American AgCredit.

“Farm Credit organizations proudly support programs like 4-H, FFA and California Youth Ag Expo because they provide opportunities for California’s youth to learn more about the wide range of opportunities in agriculture,” Hospenthal said.

“But supporting CYAE isn’t just about providing sponsorship dollars. Our employees are personally involved because these young people are the future of California agriculture. For example, I’ve served as a CYAE job interview judge for several years, helping young people develop skills they’ll need as they pursue careers in agriculture.”

Kevin Ralph, California State President for AgWest Farm Credit, said non-profits such as CYAE are critically important to the future of California agriculture.

“Each year, Farm Credit associations operating in California join together to support youth organizations with a statewide focus,” Ralph said. “We are pleased to provide vital support to preserve and protect California agriculture, and an essential part of that is plowing a path for the next generation.”

Farm Credit associations supporting CYAE are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank and Golden State Farm Credit. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

Schneider, whose full-time job is assistant to CYAE President Jake Parnell, served as interim director this year because the search for a permanent director couldn’t be completed in time to oversee this year’s expo.

Lauri King, who previously served as director of development for Fresno State University’s Ag One Foundation, has been named CYAE’s executive director. The appointment was announced during this year’s expo, which was held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare from July 30 to August 2. Next year’s event is moving to Cal Expo in Sacramento. It will be held July 21-25.

For more information, visit https://calyouthexpo.com.

— Story contributed by AgWest Farm Credit and Youth Ag Expo