2025 Project Completion Options and Skillathon Interviews Information

 

Wayne County Skillathon

Livestock, Dairy, Dog, and Horse Skillathon – It is simply a group of activities that each participant must complete to demonstrate the skills they have learned through their animal project.
This event also helps youth identify their strengths and weaknesses. 

In order to exhibit Livestock, Dairy, Dogs, and Horses at the Wayne County Junior Fair, youth MUST complete a Wayne County Skillathon in each species they wish to exhibit at the fair. 
Or exhibitors may complete a Skillathon in each species at The Ohio State Fair.  

 

The 2026 Wayne County Skillathon will take place on three different nights at the 
Wayne County Fair Event Center from 6 – 9 pm each night:

July 8
July 9
August 5

IF a youth member is not able to attend on any of these nights.
Please contact the Extension Office to make an appointment to complete the skillathon during our business hours.
 Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Appointments can ONLY be made between the dates of July 8 and August 5. 
All Skillathon requirements must be completed by August 5, 2026.

• Youth must complete a skillathon for each species they are exhibiting at the Wayne County Fair. Example: If a youth is taking a sheep, goat, and a horse project, they must complete a sheep skillathon, a goat skillathon, and a horse skillathon.These can be completed in the same evening or in separate evenings. 
• All project books are due at Skillathon. Books will be graded and returned the same night.
• Skillathon score will consist of five stations: 4 hands-on activities (listed below), and the grading of the project book.
  • Project Book Information:
    • Some pages in the books may be labeled as 'optional', but our county does not treat them as optional. If a page is listed on the rubric, it will be graded at the Skillathon.
    • Book Rubrics - Beef Breeding, Beef Steer/Feeder, Dairy, Dog, Goat, Horse, Exhibition Poultry, Market Poultry, Breeding Rabbit, Market Rabbit, Pet Rabbit, Breeding Sheep, Market Lamb, Swine

Skillathon Stations

Beef (Market or Breeding) Feed Identification Meat Cuts Leg Formation Breed Identification Project Book	Dairy   Feed Identification Mammary Anatomy & Udder Health Feet & Leg Formation Breed Identification & Traits Project Book	Dog   Canine Safety & Sanitation Canine Behavior Breed Identification Grooming Project Book
Goat (Market, Breeding, and Dairy) Feed Identification Disease Management Parts of a Goat Breed Identification Project Book	Horse   Horse ID & Nutrition Horse Health Rulebook Knowledge Equipment Identification Project Book	Poultry (Market and Exhibition) Feed Identification Meat Identification Parts of a Bird Poultry Scenarios Project Book
Rabbit (Market and Pet) Feed Identification Parts of a Rabbit Faults & Disqualification Breed Identification Project Book	Sheep (Market and Breeding) Feed Identification Body Condition Score/Leg Formation Breed Identification Meat Cuts & Haltering Project Book	Swine   Feed Identification Equipment Identification & Tagging Ear Notching Meat ID Project Book

 

• Study materials for the skillathon stations can be found in each species resource guides. Except for poultry, as they do not have a resource guide, click here for the resources available online under the project book tab. 
• Scoring: There is no minimum score to pass a skillathon. However, this year we are introducing an Outstanding Skillathon Score award. Exhibitors who earn a score of 92 points or higher will receive this recognition to hang on their pens during the fair. 

Reminder: The Wayne County Jr. Fair Outstanding Exhibitor Exam is NOT an approved alternate to the Skillathon. 

The ONLY approved alternative activity that counts for Skillathon completion is:

• Ohio State Fair Skillathon for the respective species the youth wishes to exhibit. If the youth chooses to complete the Ohio State Fair Skillathon, proof of completion must be presented to the Wayne County Extension Office by August 5, 2026.

 

If youth cannot attend either date, please contact the office to schedule an interview time at the Extension office BETWEEN July 8 and August 5.

NO skillathon will be accepted after August 5, 2026.