The Iowa State Fair 4-H swine show was altered in 1998 to include a derby contest. This requires exhibitors to show derby entries if they wish to show in the open market swine show. This aspect of the show was added to encourage youth to understand the importance of growth and performance to the swine industry. In the six years the program has been implemented, an average of 474 pigs have been entered. The evidence of this program’s success is illustrated by the improvements made by the exhibitors. Average daily gain and loin muscle area have increased while tenth rib backfat has decreased.