SYRACUSE — During the 2026 New York State Fair in Syracuse, Chenango County 4-H youth represented the county by exhibiting dairy cattle, dairy goats, beef cattle, sheep, horses, poultry, and rabbits.
The New York State Fair represents one of the highest levels of competition for New York 4-H animal science participants, allowing youth to showcase knowledge, skills, and dedication developed through years of project work and animal care.
“Because the New York State Fair is ongoing, several shows and contests have not yet occurred, and some official results remain unreleased,” said 4-H Youth Development Educator Micaela Meseck. “However, several Chenango County youths have already earned significant recognition.”
“The experience allows youth to meet and learn from exhibitors across New York State while representing their county and local communities,” said Meseck.
Jake Beers, age 12, exhibiting at the New York State Fair for the first time, said he worked hard to earn the opportunity and learned a lot throughout the competition.

“This is a milestone in my life of showing after working hard to get here for several years. I still have a lot to learn, but by being here, I’m learning a lot from showing with experienced showman and breeders,” said Jake.
Jake’s younger siblings Emma Jane, age 14 and John, age eight, were also able to participate for the first time this year.
EmmaJane said, “It is exciting because there is more competition and it is not the same people every year, like back home there is the same competition every year.”
John said, “I love showing at fairs, especially state fair, and I’ve worked very hard to get there.”
Their youngest brother Jackson, age six, is currently a Cloverbud and has a few more years before he can participate in the 4-H shows at the state fair but can show in open classes and said, “I feel good at showing at state fair.”

Show participants included:
Beef: Beth Wilcox
Beef and sheep: EmmaJane Beers and Jake Beers
Sheep: John Beers
Dairy cattle: Adrienne Hodge, Cora Hodge, Grace Hodge, Taylor Hodge, Addison Dickey, Lily Marshman, and Zoey Dart
Dairy cattle and miniature horse: Macie Vincent
Dairy cattle: (shown by Macie Vincent): Elizabeth Vincent
Dairy goats: Jakobie Beckwith, Noah Brandt, and Lucas Meseck
Poultry: Trevor Hess
Rabbits: Alexis Stemke

The following placed in challenge and showmanship.

Dairy Challenge:

Addison Dickey earned 1st Place in the Junior Division of the New York State 4-H Dairy Challenge.

Dairy Showmanship:
Zoey Dart placed 2nd in the 9-year-old Dairy Youth Showmanship class and advanced to represent Chenango County in the Master Showman competition.
Addison Dickey placed 4th, earning a Blue Ribbon in the 12-year-old showmanship class.
Cora Hodge placed 6th, earning a Blue Ribbon in the 15-16-year-old showmanship class.
Grace Hodge placed 7th, earning a Red Ribbon in the 10-11-year-old showmanship class.
Macie Vincent placed 7th, earning a Red Ribbon in the 12-year-old showmanship class.
Youth Holstein Show:
Taylor Hodge earned 1st Place in the Summer Yearling class and 1st Place in the Fall Yearling, Not in Milk class.
Dairy Goat Results:
Noah Brandt placed first in his Intermediate Showmanship Class and received Honorable Mention in the Master Showman competition.
Noah’s Nigerian Dwarf does were 1st place in their age classes and earned Senior Champion, Reserve Senior Champion, Best of Breed, and Reserve Best of Breed Nigerian Dwarf.
Jakobie Beckwith placed 7th in his showmanship class and his Nigerian Dwarf doelings were both 1sts, in their age classes and earned both Junior Champion and Reserve Junior Champion Nigerian Dwarf.
Lucas Meseck placed 3rd in his showmanship class, and his Nigerian Dwarf doe received 1st place in her age class.

Poultry Results:
Trevor Hess was named Champion Junior Showman in the Youth Open Poultr Show and earned Grand Champion of Show.
His birds were also named Champion Feather Leg, Champion Asiatic, Champion English, Champion Old English Game Bantam, and Reserve Champion RCCL.
In the 4-H Poultry Show, Trevor earned both Grand Champion of Show and Reserve Grand Champion of Show and placed 5th in Senior Poultry Showmanship.
His birds also earned Champion Feather Leg, Champion Asiatic, Champion English, Champion Old English Game Bantam, Reserve Champion Bantam Duck, and Champion RCCL.
Meseck also noted six Chenango County 4-H members participated in the New York State Fair Dairy Goat Judging Contest and included Noah Brandt, Jakobie Beckwith, Lucas Meseck, Jamie Funk, Katie Funk, and Maria Funk.
She said the contest allowed youth to apply skills developed throughout their 4-H careers, including dairy goat evaluation, critical thinking, decision-making, and communication.

Participants evaluated classes of dairy goats, comparing animals based on dairy characteristics, structure, and overall functionality.

“The event is one of many educational, knowledge-based competitions available to 4-H members during the fair,” said Meseck.

The dairy goat judging allowed youth to apply skills developed throughout their 4-H careers, Meseck explained, including dairy goat evaluation, critical thinking, decision-making, and communication.

The accomplishments of Chenango County exhibitors reflect the strength of the local agricultural community and the support of families, volunteers, club leaders, and producers who help local youth succeed.
Results for other species and activities are still pending.