Springfield, Ill. —The 25th Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest took place on Friday, Aug. 8, , drawing talented 4-H members ages 14 to 18 who had already earned their spots by winning county-level competitions. Hosted in partnership with the Illinois Farm Bureau, the contest challenged participants to showcase their versatility and expertise across beef cattle, sheep, and swine.
Shelby Carlson, co-interim 4-H Animal Systems Specialist, said of this contest, “Watching these members in the ring never ceases to amaze me. Participants represent their local county 4-H program with skill, passion, and perseverance. These are traits that will serve these young people well as they advance beyond their 4-H career.”
As a part of the master showmanship contest, members are evaluated on their knowledge and skill in showcasing their animal agriculture project. Carlson goes on to say, “It’s incredibly rare that you have a member who shows all three featured species on a regular basis. Most members are comfortable with one, maybe two of these species. For members to compete on this level with an unfamiliar animal demonstrates that these young people are truly masters of the animal science project area.”
Results from the contest are as follows:
Overall
- Grand Champion: Hunter Shike, Champaign County,
- Reserve Grand Champion: Cole Kinsella, Stark County
- 3rd Overall: Laikyn Parchert, Rock Island County,
- 4th Overall: Nolan Hoge, McDonough County
- 5th Overall: Carly Powell, Knox County
Sheep Division
- Champion: Kashen Ellerbrock, Henry County
- Reserve Champion: Cade Beckmeier, Christian County
- 3rd Place: Hunter Shike, Champaign County
Swine Division
- Champion: Hunter Shike, Champaign County
- Reserve Champion: Alaina Diel, Richland County
- 3rd Place: Aubrey Killey, Warren County
Beef Division
- Champion: Ellie Drach, Livingston County
- Reserve Champion: Nolan Hoge, McDonough County
- 3rd Place: Carly Powell, Knox County
The State Fair Master Showmanship Contest and those like it across the state are a critical part of the 4-H mission to create youth who are beyond ready for work and life. Participants are expected to answer questions about their animal and the species, as well as show their animal project in a way that is most appealing to the judge. The demonstration of adaptability, knowledge, and hard work are all skills that translate directly into the workforce.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
For Further Information, Contact:
Source/Writer: Shelby Carlson, 4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension, srcarls2@illinois.edu
Photo credit: Illinois Farm Bureau photographer, Catrina Rawson
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.