Kansas Junior Livestock Show LEAD Challenge
The Kansas Junior Livestock Show LEAD Challenge is an education, advocacy, and leadership event that provides youth an opportunity to learn about current industry, production, and animal care issues, and then apply those learnings in a multi-event competition. Competition in the LEAD Challenge encourages KJLS exhibitors to develop not only the ability to show livestock, but also a well-rounded knowledge of animal agriculture and important advocacy skills. The challenge consists of four main components: Listen & Learn sessions, livestock showmanship, skill stations, and a career development activity.
Listen & Learn Sessions
The Listen & Learn component consists of three sessions of educational workshops. Contestants are encouraged to participate live to be able to engage with the speakers. If you are unable to watch each session live, the sessions will be recorded and posted on the website within 24 hours. In 2023, we will have sessions on the following topics:
The Importance of Water Conservation to the Livestock Industry
How to Market Your Meat Products
Kansas' Largest Economic Sector: Agriculture
The Listen & Learn component consists of three sessions of educational workshops. Contestants are encouraged to participate live to be able to engage with the speakers. If you are unable to watch each session live, the sessions will be recorded and posted on the website within 24 hours. In 2023, we will have sessions on the following topics:
The Importance of Water Conservation to the Livestock Industry
How to Market Your Meat Products
Kansas' Largest Economic Sector: Agriculture
Livestock Showmanship
Livestock showmanship is considered the in-the-ring component of the challenge. Showmanship allows contestants to receive points for demonstrating proper livestock handling techniques. Points will be awarded for participating in any of the show’s showmanship classes. There is no special or separate showmanship class you need to participate in for the LEAD Challenge.
Livestock showmanship is considered the in-the-ring component of the challenge. Showmanship allows contestants to receive points for demonstrating proper livestock handling techniques. Points will be awarded for participating in any of the show’s showmanship classes. There is no special or separate showmanship class you need to participate in for the LEAD Challenge.
Skill Stations
Skill stations give contestants the opportunity to demonstrate and apply key learnings about animal production, livestock management, and life skills. Each age division will participate in a virtual presentation station prior to the show weekend as well as five stations in-person during the show weekend. The in-person stations are the same each day, so contestants only need to come one time.
Speeches will be recorded via Zoom on September 19 and 20 from 3:30-7:30 p.m.
Skill stations give contestants the opportunity to demonstrate and apply key learnings about animal production, livestock management, and life skills. Each age division will participate in a virtual presentation station prior to the show weekend as well as five stations in-person during the show weekend. The in-person stations are the same each day, so contestants only need to come one time.
Speeches will be recorded via Zoom on September 19 and 20 from 3:30-7:30 p.m.
- Juniors & Intermediates: Sign up for a speech time here.
- Seniors: Sign up for a speech time here.
- Join the Zoom waiting room 5 minutes before your speech time here. (passcode: 164211)
Career Development
The career development activity is a mock job interview and participants will be asked questions about their skills, extracurricular activities, and any work and/or leadership experience.
Mock job interviews will be held in-person on Saturday, September 30.
The career development activity is a mock job interview and participants will be asked questions about their skills, extracurricular activities, and any work and/or leadership experience.
Mock job interviews will be held in-person on Saturday, September 30.
Awards
Top five finishers overall in each age division will be awarded a physical and cash prize. Juniors will receive $300 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place, $50 for fourth place and $25 for fifth place. Intermediates will receive $400 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, $100 for fourth place and $75 for fifth place. Seniors will receive $500 for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place, $200 for fourth place and $100 for fifth place.
Top five finishers overall in each age division will be awarded a physical and cash prize. Juniors will receive $300 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place, $50 for fourth place and $25 for fifth place. Intermediates will receive $400 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, $100 for fourth place and $75 for fifth place. Seniors will receive $500 for first place, $400 for second place, $300 for third place, $200 for fourth place and $100 for fifth place.