AG ZONE NEWSLETTER

Be ready for more fair-tastic events at the 2026 South Florida Fair, January 16 – February 1!

Did you know the Fair recognizes individuals for their dedicated service? In April, four volunteers received top honors in their respective areas:

• Inger Lewis ~ Agriculture
• Joe Milisitz ~ Guest Services
• Andrea Machler ~ Yesteryear Village
• Roxana “Roxie” Coleman ~ Hall of Fame Honored Volunteer

Plans are underway to feature another Ag-ceptional Showcase during the 2026 South Florida Fair! Keep checking the AgZone on our website for details.

Just in time for the new school year:

The Premium Book will be posted on our website in August. Please review it for policies and procedures, rules and regulations. The AG team continues to enhance the AGriBusiness Department and will keep you updated through our website: SFFAG.com under News & Updates. Livestock exhibitors are also encouraged to join the South Florida Fair’s Livestock Exhibitor Facebook Page. This is a private page.

IMPORTANT DATES: Online entries ONLY; no paper entries accepted

• Entries to open for Steers on August 1 and will close at 11:59 pm on September 9
• Entries for Pullets: will open September 3; to close at 11:59 on September 30
• Entries for Market hogs: will open September 3; to close on 11:59 October 15
• Entries for all other species (dairy goats, beef, dairy cattle, poultry and rabbits) open October 1 and close at 11:59 p.m. December 13, 2025.
• The Sell-a-Bration Of Champions Youth Livestock Market Auction on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the South Florida Fair is a terminal sale for all steers and hogs sold. Please make note of the new start time for the auction at 4 p.m.

MANDATORY Steer weigh-in: September 11, 2025, from 5 PM – 7 PM at the Okeechobee Livestock Market. At-home ear tagging is not permitted. Hog tag-in: (optional) Saturday, October 18, 9 – 11 AM on the fairgrounds

The Youth Market Clinic and Ethics training is Saturday, November 1 from 9 AM- noon at the South Florida Fairgrounds. All exhibitors (ages 8 – 18) showing an animal at the South Florida Fair are required to have completed the Ethics training workshop or have a current ethics number before January 1, 2026. For details and registration: floridastatefair.com/ethics. Pullet/poultry exhibitors ages 5-7 are exempt from ethics training.

Pre-Register Today!

The Fair’s AG-Explorations Experiences for grades K-12 are returning to the 2026 South Florida Fair. Tentative dates are January 20, 22, 23, 26, 27 and 29. Specific days for ages and grades will be determined soon. For more information: www.southfloridafair.com/agexplorations

Stay informed … check out the Fair’s livestock exhibitor group on Facebook and watch for the next AGZone newsletter e-blast and important information on the fair’s website.