Grand Island, Neb. – In keeping with their annual tradition, the Nebraska State Fair donated 169 full-sized frozen chickens to local area shelters, following the Aksarben Stock Show, which was held at Fonner Park from September 25 to 28. This ‘give-back initiative’ is part of the Stock Show’s longstanding commitment to paying it forward to Nebraska communities.
Each year, the harvested broilers—raised by youth exhibitors from across the region—are processed and donated to shelters that provide essential services to families in need. This year, the organization donated the birds to several non-profits in the Grand Island and Kearney areas.
The chickens, butchered and prepared following the Stock Show, are a tangible example of how the team highlights the resources that farming and ranching provide the general public, something that event organizers say is important to the future of agriculture.
“The Aksarben Stock Show has always been about more than competition—it’s about fostering a spirit of camaraderie and teaching young people the importance of using their talents to serve those around them,” said Jaime Parr, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show. “I’m truly thrilled that our team continues this tradition of providing food to local shelters and are deeply proud of the youth exhibitors who make this possible.”
This year’s Aksarben Stock Show brought thousands of people to the Fonner Park campus in Grand Island, including 1,300 youth exhibitors, aged 9-19, who competed in a wide variety of events. These exhibitors, representing the next generation of agricultural leaders, participated in various livestock shows, speech competition, livestock judging contest, and even a livestock quiz bowl tournament.
The Nebraska State Fair Board of Directors and staff team coordinate the Aksarben Stock Show each year, working to uphold its mission of producing a youth livestock show that celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage while educating and benefiting families.
Aksarben Stock Show is the second of two annual events coordinated by the fair, and takes place the last weekend in September.
