Organizers said the Junior Livestock Show celebrates youth and agriculture bringing together the area’s best livestock and youth exhibitors from an eight-county region. The event has become a rural tradition in central New York and is the second largest youth competition in the state with the largest being the New York State Fair.

The Farmers’ Museum Junior Livestock Show was established in 1948 by Stephen C. Clark, Jr., to encourage farm youths and to foster agricultural education and excellence. The event tests the skills of participants ages eight to 18 who present animals (dairy cows, beef, swine, goats, and sheep of various breeds) that they own, care for, and have prepared for competition.

While some of the animal handlers have been showing for years, some were trying it out for the first time this year. Sarah Valtin of Milford was one of those people. As she was getting ready to go into the show ring Monday afternoon with her Brown Swiss Ling, Valtin said she has only been around cows for two years. She said she was having a good time and a wonderful experience.

Fifteen-year-old Morgan VanAlstine, of Cherry Valley, has been showing dairy cattle for eight years and she said she likes to show at the Junior Livestock Show because it is very competitive. She said the show is different from the county fairs because there are a lot more people to compete against because they come from all the surrounding counties, not just Otsego County.

``It’s more widespread,’’ said VanAlstine.

VanAlstine brought four dairy cattle to the Junior Livestock Show and plans on showing at the Otsego County Fair beginning July 30.

Meg Preston, Junior Livestock Show coordinator, said the show is unique because it is not like the county fairs.

�’There is not too much to do,’’ she said. "The kids are just taking care of their animals.’’

Preston said the show provides the kids with an opportunity to meet with friends from all the surrounding counties, which she said they will not be able to do again until the State Fair.

Peter Gartung, 12, doesn’t believe the show is that different from county fairs however. He said the only differences he sees is there is not a carnival at the Junior Livestock Show and there are tents to keep the animals under instead of barns.

This was Gartung’s second year showing at the Junior Livestock Show.

�’I like working with animals,’’ he said. �’And overall, it’s a good time and I get to hang out with my friends.’’

This was also the second year of showing for Helen Konopka of Cooperstown.

The 10-year-old showed two goats and a pig and said she participates because it is �’a lot of fun.’’

Rachel Stone, also a 10-year-old from Cooperstown, described her first time showing at the Junior Livestock Show as �’a cool experience.’’

She took first place with her Jersey calf in a junior heifer calf class Monday afternoon.

Stone said she has shown her grandparent’s beef cows before at county fairs, but this was her first year showing a dairy cow.

�’A Jersey calf was my choice,’’ Stone said with a big smile.

The show was open to the public and featured activities such as a chicken barbecue by Miller’s Barbecue, an ice cream social, and an activities tent for visitors.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Junior Livestock Show, the museum hosted a "60s at the 60th show", a costume class for participants and alumni.

The Junior Livestock Show is conducted in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension, County 4-H Agents and Clubs throughout central New York.

On-site services are provided by Leatherstocking Corporation, Cooperstown. Food services are provided by the American Legion of Cooperstown.

The show is sponsored in part by NBT Bank, Wal-Mart, Screen Designs, Cabot Cheese, McCadam Cheese, NYCAMH and Brown Cow Ice Cream.