(SEDALIA, Mo.) – The Missouri State Fair Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Turkeys were exhibited by Hazel Hawks of Rolla, MO. Hazel is the daughter of Joe & Jody Hawks and is a member of the Young Riders 4-H Club. Her Grand Champion winning hen weighed 29 pounds and her Reserve Grand Champion tom weighed 39 pounds.
While Market Turkeys are not currently included in the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions Auction, Fair officials and Youth in Agriculture leaders are exploring opportunities to expand support and recognition for Missouri’s outstanding market turkey exhibitors in the future.
The Market Turkey Show continues to showcase the hard work, dedication and livestock production skills of Missouri youth. Organizers are seeking support from industry partners, agribusinesses, community leaders and individuals who value youth development and agricultural education to help create future opportunities for market turkey exhibitors.
Through the generous support of Youth in Agriculture sponsors, the Missouri State Fair is able to award scholarships each year to Missouri youth. Last year, forty $1,750 scholarships, sponsored by Youth in Agriculture Supporters, five $1,750 scholarships, sponsored by MFA, Inc. Charitable Foundation, ten $2,000 scholarships, sponsored by Bell Trust, four supreme $2,500 scholarships, sponsored by the Missouri State Fair Foundation, one supreme $2,500 scholarship, sponsored by Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners/Sydenstricker Genetics, one $3,500 Sharon Topliff scholarship, sponsored by Youth in Agriculture Supporters and one platinum $5,000 Wayne Yokley scholarship, sponsored by Youth in Agriculture Supporters were awarded to youth across Missouri. Since 1992, the YIA committee has awarded 1,003 scholarships totaling $1,310,000.
A complete listing of the 2025 Youth in Agriculture sponsors is available on the Fair’s website. A listing of the 2026 sponsors will be posted soon. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can visit the Fair’s website to make an online donation. To receive more information about sponsorship, contact Chuck Miller at 573-881-3589, Rodney Heimer at 217-257-6182, or Chip Kemp at 573-239-0524.