A Vision

The Oklahoma Youth Expo has grown and evolved for more than a century, providing opportunities for Oklahoma’s ag youth. In 2002, a group of visionaries came together and formally established a 501c3 nonprofit, naming it the Oklahoma Youth Expo Inc. Among those visionaries were Mr. Bob Funk and Mr. Jimmy Harrel. Together, along with a committed board of directors, the Youth Expo grew and today has become the leader in livestock shows.

However, this growth and development did not happen overnight. Funding an ever growing event poses challenges, challenges the board and staff happily and successfully manage each year.

In 2016, Mr. Bob Funk stepped forward in a large way announcing his commitment to the Oklahoma Youth Expo by forming an endowment fund. Later that year, the Onward Campaign was launched. Mr. Funk pledged to match dollar-for-dollar up to $5 million in order to ensure the continued success of OYE for generations to come.

To date, more than $4 million has been raised to help support the Youth Expo’s mission in providing Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members with opportunities to showcase their agricultural projects and further foster their future education goals, their leadership skills, and their ability to truly provide and contribute to society.