MORRIS, Ill. – 4-H youth put their passion and hard work on display at the Grundy County 4-H Fair this past weekend during one of the hottest 4-H fairs remembered.
“In 4-H, projects are a way for members to learn about what sparks their interest,” says Emilia Elabed, 4-H youth development educator, “From cattle and rabbits to electricity and cooking, 4-H encourages members to explore their interests and talents. This often leads youth on a new path to career development, enjoyment, and belonging.”
4-H fairs and project shows serve as learning opportunities for youth to interact with subject matter experts who serve as judges and provide guidance as youth work toward mastery in their project area.
Over 1,000 entries were made this year, a 25% increase over last year.
4-H members were supported by the amazing contributions of local businesses and families who gave money to sponsor awards which were given to 4-H members. Results for 2025:
Animal Sciences
Best Animal Science Exhibit (Sponsored by Mazon Mobile Vet) – Lena Baker
Child Development
Best Child Development Exhibit (Sponsored by Fillman Insurance) – Kendall Shute
Communication Arts
Public Speaking (Sponsored by Tristan DeGrush) – Margaret Feldman
Best Photography Exhibit (Sponsored by Quatro Leafer's 4-H Club) – Emme Bibly
Best Photographer (Sponsored by Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau) – Hannah Greene
Best Personal Development Exhibit (Sponsored by Greenway Automotives) – Kami Greene
Human Development
Best Health Exhibit (Sponsored by Dollinger Family Farm) – Hope Emmerich
Community Development
Best Citizenship/Leadership Exhibit (Sponsored by Tom & Tina Brockman) – Grace Emmerich
Clothing
Best Constructed Garment (Sponsored by Menchie's Frozen Yogurt) – McKenna Brockman
Fashion Revue (Sponsored by Neil Born & Donna Cockream) – Rosie Kindelspire
STEAM 1 (Sponsored by Compeer Financial) – McKenna Brockman
STEAM 3 (Sponsored by Bill & Carole Chapin) – Rosemary Kindlespire
Best Shopping in Style Exhibit (Sponsored by Greenway Automotives) – Emme Bibly
Foods
Best Cooking Exhibit (Sponsored by Jeschke Family) – Rosemary Kindlespire
Best Food Science Applications Exhibit (Sponsored by Chris & Dave Perry) – Hope Emmerich
Interior Design
Best Interior Design Exhibit (Sponsored by Neil Born & Donna Cockream) – Austin Brockman
Visual Arts
Best Visual Arts Exhibit (Sponsored by Menchie's Frozen Yogurt) – Kami Greene
Best Hobby Exhibit (Sponsored by Quatro Leafer's 4-H Club) – Skeeter Rogers
Best Food Decorating (Sponsored by Neil Born & Donna Cockream) – Candence Carlson
Best Food Decorating Technique (Sponsored by State Representative, Jed Davis) – Candence Carlson
Mechanical Sciences & Technology
Best Aerospace Exhibit (Sponsored by Dollinger Family Farm) – James Emmerich
Best Electricity Exhibit (Sponsored by Jeschke Family) – Parker Hammen
Best Shooting Sports (Sponsored by Dimond Brothers Insurance) – Matthew Bauerly
Best Woodworking Exhibit (Sponsored by Grundy County Redimix) – Riley Wilson
Best Small Engines/Welding Exhibit (Sponsored by Willoughby Automotive) – Brody Nelson
Best Robotics Exhibit (Sponsored by D Construction) – Killian Wilson
Best Video/Filmmaking Exhibit (Sponsored by Grundy Co. Circuit Clerk, Cori Trotter) – Simon Truhlar
Conservation
Best Natural Resources Exhibit (Sponsored by D Construction) – Matthew Greene
Best Biology Exhibit (Sponsored by U-Can Store It) – Joseph Emmerich
Best Earth Sciences Exhibit (Sponsored by Dollinger Family Farm) – Micah Greene
Horticulture
Best Floriculture Exhibit (Sponsored by John Davis) – Riley Wilson
Best Horticulture Exhibit (Sponsored by Village of Kinsman) – Joseph Emmerich
Best Crops & Soils Exhibit (Sponsored by D Construction) – Michael Emmerich
Livestock
Supreme Champion
Supreme Champion Market Lamb (Sponsored by D’Arcy Chevrolet , Village of Minooka, & Thomas Jeschke AgEd Opportunity Fund) - Avery Bauer
Supreme Champion Market Hog (Sponsored by Frye Farms, Simple Communications, & Blain’s Farm n Fleet) - Clara Swenson
Supreme Champion Market Beef (Sponsored by Michael Lowery, D’Arcy Chevrolet, & Blain’s Farm N Fleet) - Addison Frye
Poultry
Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen Roaster (Sponsored by Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau) - Austin Brockman
Reserve Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen Roaster - Abigail Brockman
Grand Champion Pen of Meat Ducks (Sponsored by Coal City Community 4-H Club) - Johnny Zelko
Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Meat Ducks - Chris Smith
Grand Champion Turkey (Sponsored by Neil Born & Donna Cockream) - Gracie Smith
Reserve Grand Champion Turkey - Chris Smith
Rabbits
Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen (Sponsored by Mark & Sara Mitchell) - Brynn Christensen
Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit Meat Pen (Sponsored by Tyson & Heather Dollinger) - Michael Galloway
Grand Champion Single Fryer Rabbit (Sponsored by Roth Jorstad Insurance) - Kenzie Christensen
Reserve Grand Champion Single Fryer Rabbit (Sponsored by Roth Jorstad Insurance) - Brynn Christensen
Goats
Grand Champion Dairy Wether Goat - Cash Harford
Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Wether Goat - Sky Harford
Grand Champion Boer Wether Goat - Wyatt Bauer
Reserve Grand Champion Boer Wether Goat - Wyatt Bauer
Sheep
Reserve Supreme Lamb (Sponsored by Fillman Insurance, Bank of Pontiac,
& Blain’s Farm n Fleet) - Avery Bauer
3rd Overall (Sponsored by Grundy Bank & Dimond Brothers Insurance) - Avery Bauer
4th Overall (Sponsored by Compeer Financial & Village of Seneca) - Abi Siedentop
5th Overall (Sponsored by Greenway Automotives & Bank of Pontiac) - Abi Siedentop
Swine
Reserve Supreme Market Hog (Sponsored by Mark & Sara Mitchell, John Davis, & Animal Care Hospital) - Avery Bauer
3rd Overall (Sponsored by Kendall Co. Pork Producers & Fillman Insurance) - Kailey Smith
4th Overall (Sponsored by Animal Care Hospital & Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt) - Clara Swenson
5th Overall (Sponsored by Mark & Sara Mitchell & Mazon Mobile Vet) - Raylan Smith
Beef
Reserve Supreme Beef (Sponsored by Kendall/Grundy ROE–Meghan Martin, Roth Jorstad Insurance, Bill & Carole Chapin, & Thomas Jeschke AgEd Opportunity Fund) - Blakely Riley
3rd Overall (Sponsored by Roth Jorstad Insurance & Village of Seneca) - Jessie Henke
4th Overall (Sponsored by GRAINCO FS & Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt) - Logan Carey
5th Overall (Sponsored by Bank of Pontiac & Compeer Financial) - Chace Riley
Dairy
Grand Champion Dairy Animal (Sponsored by Grundy Bank) - Ben Biros
Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Animal (Sponsored by Kendall/Grundy ROE-Meghan Martin) - Sam Biros
Exhibit winners will be invited to a special event to be presented with their award.
The Grundy County 4-H Fair is made possible by the Grundy County 4-H Association, and the numerous volunteers and donors who give of their time to help the youth of Grundy County succeed.
"We especially want to thank all of the people who give selflessly of their time to help 4-H youth grow," says Brooke Katcher, 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator. "It was an extremely hot fair this year and our volunteers could have chosen to be in air conditioning all week but instead, they chose to be out in the heat helping to congratulate and celebrate Grundy county youth."
More information about 4-H can be found online at 4h.extension.illinois.edu/ or by calling 815-942-2725.
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.
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.