SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – 4-H members from Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counites earned champion awards during the 2022 Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Shows.  In the Junior Livestock Division, 4-H and FFA members from across the state have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills while exhibiting the animals they have raised during the past year. 

“Exhibiting at the State Fair is always an exciting and educational experience for our members,” said Youth Development Educator Carissa Davis.  “We are happy to see how many of our local members were recognized with special awards in the highly competitive classes of the Junior Shows.”

Jr Beef

• Reece Entwistle (New Holland) – Reserve Grand Champion Aged Cow/Calf
• Tyler Miller (Atlanta) – Champion Maine Anjou Heifer, Champion Simmental Heifer

Jr Goats

• Lillian Lee (Glenarm) – Best Sr Doe of Show, Grand Champion Nubian, Reserve Junior Champion Nubian, Senior Champion Nubian

Jr Poultry

• Kristina Morrow (Lincoln) – Champion Pullet Large Fowl Chickens, Reserve Champion Cockerel Large Fowl Chickens
• Natalie Palmquist (Mount Pulaski) – Champion Cockerel Bantams, Champion Cockerel Large Fowl Chickens, Reserve Champion Pullet Large Fowl Chickens, Breed Champion: Champion Male, Breed Champion: Grand Champion Male, Breed Champion: Reserve Grand Champion Male

Jr Rabbits

• Ember Wieland (Pleasant Plains) – Champion Junior Showman

Jr Sheep

• Colton Wankel (Tallula) – Champion Suffolk Wether

Jr Swine

• Ella Bobell (Lincoln) – 2nd Runner Up Champion Barrow, Champion Duroc Barrow
• Drake Fletcher (Athens) – Grand Champion Barrow, Champion Crossbred Barrow, Champion Heavyweight Crossbred Barrow
• Braden Olson (Elkhart) – Champion Duroc Gilt

Jr Beef Land of Lincoln

• Reece Entwistle (New Holland) – Grand Champion Aged Cow/Calf

Jr Goat Land of Lincoln

• Lillian Lee (Glenarm) – Reserve Junior Champion Nubian

Jr Sheep Land of Lincoln

• Jayce Coers (New Holland) – Tunis Champion Ram Lamb, Montadale Reserve Champion Ram Lamb

Jr Swine Land of Lincoln

• Ella Bobell (Lincoln) – Grand Champion Barrow, Champion Duroc Barrow
• William Boerma (Hartsburg) – Reserve Champion Landrace Gilt
• Braden Olson (Elkhart) – Champion Duroc Gilt

The new 4-H year begins in September, and local clubs are always happy to welcome new members.  To learn more about the opportunities available to local youth through the 4-H program, please visit extension.illinois.edu/LMS/4-H-youth-development.

WRITER: Amy Zepp, 4-H Program Coordinator, Sangamon County, azepp2@illinois.edu

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.