appeal and quality.” There are also divisions for grains, legumes and forage crops.
“ We tried to bring back the hay show a few years ago but weren’ t very successful at it. Let’ s face it; it’ s hard to bring big bales of hay to showcase,” Milligan said. So, I would like to encourage farmers and ranchers to bring in their grains and legumes; one peck is needed.”
Milligan said corn, grain, sorghum and cotton can all be entered.
“ With the forage crops almost every variety is eligible from plains bluestem to Bermuda. All that is needed is a bundle that is 3-inches to 5-inches in diameter,” she said.
“ I would like to encourage our ag instructors to have their kids enter pasture and range plant boards into the FFA Division,” Milligan said.“ These exhibits can go on to the State Fair of Oklahoma to compete in the FFA Division for prizes and money.”
Over the years, different classes and divisions have come and gone, or have been updated depending on the entries in previous years.
“ In the Apiary Division, we changed the rules in the egg show to allow for only three eggs instead of the entire dozen,” she said.“ There are four different divisions: white, brown, blue / green, and bantam.
“ All eggs must be clean and fresh,” she said.“ Last year our egg numbers were down. I assume it was because eggs were so high in price.
Other divisions like poultry will continue to grow.
“ I also oversee the poultry division. We had 52 entries last year which was more than all other species combined,” she said.“ We are adding new categories, classes this year, and also a Showmanship competition. I hope to grow this division more and increase interest and numbers.”
One other area worth mentioning are the horticulture exhibits( also Open Class). Horticulture exhibits would include anything that you have grown or produced in the past year, she said, mentioning that houseplants and flowers are a good choice and there is also a division for youth.
“ There are so many things that can be entered in this area,” Milligan said.
Milligan said if anyone has any questions about entering the fair, to call the OSU Extension office.
“ There are so many things to enter and see at the fair,” she said.“ There are categories that everyone can enter.”
Contact Shylan Milligan, Extension Educator Ag / 4-H Youth Development for Stephens and Jefferson Counties, at the
Stephens County OSU Extension office, 580-255-0510 or 580-228-2332, or by email: shylan. milligan @ okstate. edu. The office is located at 2002 S. 13th St., Duncan.