Oklahoma Youth Expo reaches $9M in ONWARD Campaign

            The Oklahoma Youth Expo reaches $9 million in the ONWARD campaign. Campaign funds raised – matched from a generous 1:1 match challenge from Bob Funk, Sr. – endows operations and sustains the organization’s purpose in promoting agricultural education programs for more than 7,500 young people from across the state.

“We could not be happier with the ongoing success of the ONWARD campaign,” said Tyler Norvell, Oklahoma Youth Expo executive director. “We are eternally grateful to OYE Board Chairman Bob Funk Sr. for the role he has played in making a tremendous philanthropic contribution, issuing a match to forward-thinking Oklahomans and agribusiness communities and sustaining the operations of our great institution.”

The OYE’s mission is to provide a venue for youth to display the finest quality market and breeding livestock in the country. Each year, young people from Oklahoma’s 77 counties take part in the Oklahoma Youth Expo, exhibiting cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. First established 109 years ago, the competition now awards more than $300,000 in scholarships each year, and the show has an annual economic impact of $25 million in the OKC metro area.

“OYE programs teach young people the importance of hard work and how to relate to one another,” said Funk, founder and president of Express Employment Professionals. “Endowed funds from the ONWARD campaign ensure OYE will continue helping young people in their educational process, which helps assure their success in life, whatever vocation they choose to pursue.”

“We are the world’s largest junior livestock show, and we are only open to Oklahoma exhibitors,” Norvell added. “Many credit the OYE for being one of the most elite livestock shows in North America, and we don’t plan to give that seat up anytime soon.”