What the Florida Strawberry Festival Youth Livestock Shows Are
The youth livestock program is the agricultural heart of the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. Over the festival's run, March 4 to 14, 2027, young exhibitors show market swine, dairy cattle, market lambs, market steers and beef breeds, sell their market animals to bidders, compete in a livestock judging contest and enter plants, poultry and rabbits. Premiums, plaques, showmanship awards, record book awards and scholarships reward both the animal and the work behind it.
The Shows and Ways to Enter
| Show | Who can enter | Key requirements | 2027 entry deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic Youth Swine | Hillsborough County 4-H, FFA or YLPA members, age 8 (by January 1, 2027) through 12th grade; project housed east of I-75 | Hog over 200 pounds, at least USDA No. 2 market quality; 2.0 GPA | September 3, 2026, 4:00 p.m. |
| Mosaic Youth Steer | Hillsborough County 4-H, FFA or YPLA members in grades 7 through 12 | One steer, 550 to 1,000 pounds at September weigh-in, at least 900 pounds at final weigh-in; 2.0 GPA | August 6, 2026, online through ShowWorks |
An exhibitor may not show both a steer and a swine in the festival's Mosaic shows in the same year.
How It Works: The 2027 Show Schedule
- Thursday, March 4Mosaic Youth Swine Show at 6 p.m.
- Friday, March 5Mosaic Youth Swine Sale at 6 p.m.; Dairy Judging Contest at 1 p.m.
- Saturday, March 6Dairy Showmanship at 11 a.m. and Dairy Show at 1 p.m.
- Sunday, March 7Dairy Costume Ball at 12:30 p.m.; Youth Plant Silent Auction 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Youth Plant Sale at 2 p.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, March 8 and 9Lamb Jumping Contest at 3 p.m. and Lamb Costume Contest at 7 p.m. on Monday; Lamb Showmanship and Show at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Steer final weigh-in is March 9.
- Wednesday and Thursday, March 10 and 11Mosaic Youth Steer Show at 6 p.m. on Wednesday; Steer Sale at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
- Friday and Saturday, March 12 and 13Steer Showmanship at 6 p.m. Friday; Livestock Judging registration at 9 a.m. and contest at 10 a.m. Saturday; Beef Breeds Showmanship at 6 p.m.
- Sunday, March 14Beef Breeds Show at 11 a.m.
Poultry and rabbit exhibits run daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The festival may change final weigh-in and other dates.
Steer Show: Steps and Rules
- Enter online by August 6, 2026; check-in, ear tagging and the first weigh-in were held September 12, 2026, from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Steers must gain at least 1.75 pounds per day between weigh-ins and weigh at least 900 pounds at the March 9 final weigh-in. Health certificates are required and every steer is sonogrammed.
- Exhibitors need a 2.0 GPA and show ring ethics training. An exhibitor who has shown a Grand Champion twice may not enter again.
- The exhibitor must show and sell the animal. Official dress is required: FFA official dress, or black, white or green pants (no jeans), a white long-sleeve shirt and a black or green tie or scarf.
Swine Show: Steps and Rules
- The hog must exceed 200 pounds and meet at least USDA No. 2 market standards; a sifting committee can reject inferior animals at weigh-in.
- Send buyer letters to at least five potential buyers one week before the show, and thank-you letters within two weeks after the sale.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
| Award (steer and swine) | Premium |
|---|---|
| Grand Champion | $300, trophy, rosette |
| Reserve Grand Champion | $225, trophy, rosette |
| Class Champion | $25, plaque |
| Second in class | $20, ribbon |
| Third and remaining | $15, ribbon |
| Premier Exhibitor (each division) | $100 trophy |
Steer exhibitors can also win gain-in-weight and carcass contest awards. Steer sale deductions are up to 6 percent of the sale price for show expenses. Each exhibitor receives two arm band passes. Senior steer exhibitors may apply for the Florida Strawberry Festival Livestock Scholarship. Awards are presented at the Livestock Banquet on April 27, 2027, and extra banquet tickets cost $10. No entry fee amount is published in the rules.
Where
Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City, FL 33563. Administrative Building: 813-752-9194.
Questions
Can my child enter if we live outside Hillsborough County?
No for the steer show, which excludes non-residents. Swine exhibitors must live in Hillsborough County east of Interstate 75.
Can one exhibitor show a steer and a hog?
Not in the Mosaic shows in the same year.
Who do I call?
Festival Administrative Building, 813-752-9194. The steer committee chairman is Jon Poppell, 813-716-5290; the swine committee chair is Brian Shepherd.
Official Links
- Youth Livestock Shows: 2027 schedule and contacts
- 2027 Steer Rules: eligibility, dates, premiums
- 2027 Swine Rules and Regulations: eligibility, dates, premiums
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Florida State Fair
Twelve-day state fair at the Tampa fairgrounds, with livestock shows, 4-H and FFA judging contests and open exhibits. Held each year; the next run is February 4-15, 2027, after February 5-16, 2026.
- Florida Strawberry Festival
Eleven days of strawberry shortcake, concerts, midway rides and youth livestock shows in Plant City. Held each year; the 2027 festival is March 4-14, after February 26 to March 8 in 2026.
- Florida 4-H State Dairy Show
State 4-H dairy cattle show for youth in the dairy project, free to enter, with registration open February 1 to March 18, 2027. The next show is April 1-3, 2027.
- Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training at Gulf Coast REC
Full-day food safety training for produce growers at the Gulf Coast center in Wimauma, with a $40 fee. Held each year; the most recent date was April 28, 2026.
14625 Co. Rd. 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 | 813-634-0000 | Organizer: UF/IFAS Official event details - Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
The 71st Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair moved to a new fairgrounds with an Agriculture Barn and competitions in agriculture, horticulture and culinary arts. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 5-15, 2026.
13601 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32221 | Organizer: Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.