The Southeastern Youth Fair held the 2025 Swine Show at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The Grand Champion was Brayden Pruitt of the Belleview Bald Eagles 4-H Club, whose hog weighed in at 253 lbs.
The Southeastern Youth Fair provides invaluable learning experiences for young participants and also offers scholarships and awards, including the Henry Gatrell Award.
Innovation and determination were key elements in building the hog operation that Henry Gatrell developed with his son, Fred, in Marion County in 1938. Although neither spoke Spanish, they successfully established a thriving export business to Central and South America, shipping nearly their entire production of Durocs.
Born and raised in Marion County, Henry Gatrell dedicated his life to farming. In recognition of his entrepreneurial spirit, the Agribusiness Committee of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce established the Henry Gatrell Award to inspire young people who share his passion.
Each year at the Southeastern Youth Fair, the Henry Gatrell Trophy is awarded to the swine exhibitor whose hog has the best ultrasound carcass at the show. Factors such as genetics, good health, quality feed, exercise, and daily management all contribute to producing an exceptional market carcass. Like Henry Gatrell, young exhibitors must demonstrate innovation and determination to raise blue-ribbon hogs. Through this award, the Chamber of Commerce hopes to encourage the development of “Blue Ribbon Young’uns.”
Thank you to the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce for supporting our youth.
The Southeastern Youth Fair held its Annual Steer Show on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala.
The event began with the Market Steer Homegrown Class, followed immediately by the Steer Show.
Student exhibitors dedicated significant time, effort, and care to raising their steers, and their hard work was evident in the competition.
Now, the steers will be auctioned off.
Auction & Sales
The market lamb, steer, and swine projects serve both educational and financial purposes. These programs offer a hands-on approach to teaching essential life skills such as responsibility, daily management, record keeping, and marketing—not just of the animals, but of the exhibitors themselves.
Individuals, businesses, community clubs, and groups are invited to participate in the auctions. To bid, participants must register at the bidder registration tables before or during the sale. Pre-registration is also available by calling the Fair Office. Bidders will receive a number to use when placing bids.
Once a purchase is made, one of the fair’s Ambassadors will provide the buyer with an agreement form to complete and sign.
