Agricultural News
Oklahoma Youth Expo to Dedicate $2 Million Headquarters
Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:31:12 CST
The Oklahoma Youth Expo on Wednesday will celebrate completion of a $2 million headquarters facility the organization will use to promote agricultural education programs for more than 7,500 young people from across the state.
"We could not be happier with our new 6,000-square-foot administration building," said Tyler Norvell, Oklahoma Youth Expo executive director. "The building provides a permanent home for us, and we are grateful to OYE Board Chairman Bob Funk Sr. for the role he has played in underwriting a large portion of the project."
Located at 21 Land Rush Street in Oklahoma City, the Bob Funk Legacy Complex will be dedicated at noon on Wednesday as the Oklahoma Youth Expo's new home.
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 106 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. "The money we give to these young people will help start their educational process, which helps assure their success in life, whatever vocation they choose to pursue."
The Bob Funk Legacy Complex houses OYE staff members and replaces a small office location the organization has occupied for several years in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District. The new building ensures the Oklahoma Youth Expo will live on for many years to come, Norvell said.
"We are the world's largest junior livestock show, and we are only open to Oklahoma exhibitors," Norvell said. "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."
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