ABOVE: Kelsey Deling and Leighton Hackett sort through exhibitor badges while Belle Patterson cuts through cardboard as all three help put together bags for the 634 exhibitors coming to Fairmont June 26 to 29.

FAIRMONT – Initially meant to be a one and done event, the Minnesota Youth Livestock Expo (MYLE) in Fairmont is on its sixth year and not going anywhere.

Back when it started in 2020, it was just a chance for those who had worked hard on their projects to show what they had when all other events had been canceled due to COVID-19.

“We followed all the protocol that we needed to for 2020,” MYLE Co-Chairman Steve Pomerenke said. “It still was a concern right up until the show started on whether we were going to get shut down or not.”

Due to the success of the original, the event was brought back for another year and has now become an annual event.

The Fairmont portion covers beef, meat goat, sheep and rabbits from June 26 to 29. In these four categories, 634 exhibitors showing over 2,400 animals are expected. Exhibitors come from all across Minnesota. With the event coming before the State Fair and many county fairs, it’s an opportunity for exhibitors to bring their a-game and evaluate where they’re at.

With that amount of animals, Pomerenke said it is the second largest youth livestock show in Minnesota besides the State Fair. Only those 5 to 21 years old in Minnesota 4-H, FFA or a Junior Breed Association are allowed to compete.

Why has it grown to such a degree? Pomerenke said there are several factors.

“It’s a relaxed atmosphere,” he said. “People enjoy the fairgrounds and the facilities. We allow younger exhibitors. If you’re going to go to the state fair, you have to be at least through sixth grade. Over the five years we’ve had it so far, I would bet at least half of the exhibitor champions weren’t even eligible to go to the state fair because they were too young.”

There is also a measure of honor and prestige that has come with winning at the MYLE, with livestock publications on hand to report on the proceedings.

Each animal has the species show focusing on the quality of the animal and showmanship focusing on the handling of animals by exhibitors. Showmanship is separated into four divisions based on age, novice, junior, intermediate and senior.

Having an event which has drawn so much intrigue not only benefits the exhibitors, it benefits the local economy.

“It does bring a fair amount of business between the gas stations, restaurants and motels,” Pomerenke said. “Any business in Fairmont where people will be spending money, because we’ll have a few thousand people here.”

While not many changes have been made, Pomerenke said there have been conversations to potentially add poultry or dairy cows to the Expo. To do so, he said there’s a key component they would need.

“We need committee people that take the initiative,” Pomerenke said “That’s how we have the species we have, because we have really strong committee people in each of the five species that make it work.”

Besides the four species shown in Fairmont, there is a MYLE swine show in Austin July 10 to 13.

Overall, Pomerenke said he hopes people have a good time while they’re here. The MYLE is different from fair shows, in that once the exhibitor’s species have finished competition they can leave before the whole event is over.

For those looking to inquire about volunteering or committee work, call Steve Pomerenke at 507-848-8123 or visit https://www.mnyouthlivestockexpo.com/, where you can find information including a full schedule.