What is the Ag/Livestock Department?

The Ag/Livestock Department is responsible for overseeing all of the agriculture and livestock related functions at the Fair. This includes the planning and execution of all livestock shows – junior and open class shows. They work closely with the Barn Directors, as well as the Entry Department. This department also oversees the Animal Care Center, Agricultural related vendors, and other agricultural exhibits such as Little Farmers. This department handles events or works with contractors for events such as skillathons, Sale of Champions, and Final Drives for OME and OBE presentations.

Opportunities

• Gain hands-on experience working closely with the ag/livestock staff to plan exhibits and shows. This involves all livestock species exhibited at the fair, horticultural and floriculture exhibits, agricultural education, and agricultural vendor relations.
• Attend events related to the ag/livestock department including Final Drives, Futurity show, Governor’s Cup, Dean’s Charity Steer Show, and Breaking Boundaries Swine Show.
• Provide administrative support to related areas above.
• Get hands-on, real-life experience in the Fair industry, including coordinating schedules, assisting with exhibit set-up and activities, managing, and training seasonal staff and volunteers, etc.
• School internship credit available (based on your college’s specific requirements).

Qualifications

• Any college student that is entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year.
• Agricultural majors are appropriate, including animal nutrition, ag business, species specific management and other related majors.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail and accuracy, strong written and verbal communication, ability to multi-task and be adaptable.
• Proficient with Google applications and Microsoft Office applications and Dropbox.

When You'll Work

• Dates: May – August (based on school schedules).
  • Internship cannot exceed 14 weeks.
• Hours
  • Monday – Friday during business hours (flexibility with hours).
  • Note: you will be required to work on Saturday, July 12 and July 19, 2025, as well as long shifts immediately prior to and during the Ohio State Fair (July 23 – August 3, 2025). Pre-Fair livestock shows run July 14 – July 22, and you will be required to be on-site.
• Hybrid work schedule – remote (May – July) and in-person (July – August). In May, June, and early July, more remote time will be available. As we approach the Ohio State Fair, the frequency of required in-person dates will increase. No time off or hybrid opportunities are available July 22 through August 5, as in-person work is required at that time.

Application Information and Deadline

APPLY NOW

Application deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Interviews will take place within two weeks of the application deadline.

Questions

Please contact Andi Hershey at a.hershey@expo.ohio.gov.