2025 Sale of Champions

The 2025 Sale of Champions livestock auction once again wrapped up the Ohio State Fair. Ohio Farm Bureau, along with partners Bob Evans Farms, Nationwide, The Kroger Company, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, NetSteady, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, Metropolis, OKI, Inc., and Expo Services purchased the Grand Champion Market Barrow exhibited by Karlie Kennedy of Adams County.

The Grand Champion Market Barrow sold for a record-high $101,000. Kennedy received $13,000 from the sale, with the remaining $88,000 going to the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program. In full, the 2025 auction raised a total of $498,000, with $372,000 going to the Youth Reserve Program. 

Established in 1995, the Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program was developed to reward junior exhibitors who participate in the Ohio State Fair. Since its inception the program has awarded more than $5.2 million.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ohiofarmbureau.org.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Editors: A high-resolution photo for the Grand Champion Market Barrow is available for download.

Farm Bureau connections
To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
10-year campaign for safer roads
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Farm Bureau involvement
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: