California Youth Ag Expo

What the California Youth Ag Expo Is

The California Youth Ag Expo (CYAE) is a statewide 4-H and FFA show built to be, in its own words, the most competitive livestock show on the West Coast. It began in 2020, during the pandemic, and sets itself apart from county and state fairs by focusing only on the youth: there are no rides or midway, and the show says its exhibitors are the reason for it, not an exhibit for visitors. CYAE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In 2026 more than 900 young people competed, with representatives from all 58 California counties, and participation has more than doubled since the first show.

What You Can Enter

• Livestock: beef, dairy, sheep, goats and hogs, with a market show and a sale for the top animals. The show also advertises an exclusive show pig sale.
• Speaking competitions, added in 2021, and job interview judging.
• Ag mechanics, added in 2023, where students bring projects they have built.
• Fabrication and auctioneering, added in 2025. In fabrication, teams of four to six students build a specified project from scratch in two days, starting from a pile of pipe and an axle and cutting and welding it into something like a barbecue trailer.

The show says its goal each year is to add a competition so more students across California can take part.

How It Works: The Timeline

1. Exhibitors spend six to 12 months raising their livestock before the show.
2. At the Expo, market animals are shown on the early days. In the show's early years, the top exhibitors then competed in a Grand Drive on Friday evening for the Grand Champion titles.
3. The top animals in each species sell in a premium auction later in the weekend, and all proceeds go directly to the exhibitors.
4. Winners in the contests receive scholarships.

Dates and Place

The 2026 Expo was held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, from July 30 to August 2 (the show's website lists the run as July 29 to August 2). The show is moving. The 2027 California Youth Ag Expo is scheduled for July 21 to 25 at Cal Expo in Sacramento, in a larger venue that lets the show expand.

Fees, Awards and What You Get

• Participants pay modest entry fees. Admission and parking are free to the public.
• Winning students can earn between $550 and $2,000 in scholarships, plus the proceeds from selling their cattle, pigs, goats and sheep.
• In 2021 the show reported awarding more than $150,000 to California 4-H and FFA exhibitors.
• The scholarship program is designed to encourage youth to continue their higher education.

Most of the Expo's money comes from sponsors. The budget has grown from about $250,000 in 2020 to over $750,000, with Farm Credit associations among the major supporters.

Questions

Who can show?

California 4-H and FFA members. In 2021 exhibitors came from 46 of the 58 counties; by 2026 all 58 were represented.

Does it cost to watch?

No. CYAE does not charge for admission or parking.

Where will the next show be?

Cal Expo in Sacramento, July 21 to 25, 2027.

Where do I find the schedule and entry details?

On the Expo's website, calyouthexpo.com, which carries the schedule, sponsor and scholarship information.

Official Links

• California Youth Ag Expo
• California Youth Ag Expo Grows into Major Showcase for Future Agricultural Leaders
• International Agri-Center: California Youth Ag Expo comes to Tulare

Other Upcoming Events Nearby

• World Ag Expo
  Feb. 9, 2027 - Feb. 11, 2027 | Tulare County, Tulare

  World's largest annual agricultural show, February 9-11, 2027, with more than 1,200 exhibitors on 2.6 million sq ft and about 100,000 visitors from over 70 countries.

• Tulare County Fair
  Expected around Sep. 15, 2027 - estimate, not yet announced | Tulare County, Tulare

  Tulare County Fair, September 16-20, 2026, with a 4-H and FFA junior livestock show.

  620 South K Street, Tulare, CA Official event details
• CCPRA Finals Rodeo
  Nov. 27, 2026 - Nov. 28, 2026 | Tehama County, Red Bluff

  Season-ending finals of the CCPRA circuit in Red Bluff, November 27-28, 2026.

  Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details
• San Joaquin County Fair
  Dec. 3, 2026 - Dec. 20, 2026 | San Joaquin County, Stockton

  Winter holiday-season fair at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, scheduled December 3-20, 2026. Family entertainment and local exhibits.

  1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA Official event details
• NYE Kick-Off CCPRA Rodeo
  Dec. 31, 2026 | Tehama County, Red Bluff

  New Year's Eve rodeo in Red Bluff, December 31, 2026, that starts the next CCPRA season.

  Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details

All California events by date

Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.