URBANA, Ill. — Illinois 4-H members demonstrated their knowledge of meat science and evaluation at the 2026 Illinois 4-H State Meat Judging Contest held March 6 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Meat Science Laboratory in Urbana. A total of 56 4-H members representing 18 counties competed in the fifth annual statewide event.
The contest was hosted in partnership with the University of Illinois Meat Science program and the University of Illinois Meat Judging Team. The event concluded with an awards banquet sponsored by Illinois Pork Producers, where awards provided by the Illinois Meat Science Laboratory and Illinois Farm Bureau were presented.
Participants demonstrated their understanding of meat evaluation and identification, skills developed through months of preparation under the guidance of volunteer coaches. Many competitors also participated in the Illinois Youth Meat Judging Series in the months leading up to the contest. The hands-on educational series, coordinated by the Illinois Association of Meat Processors and the University of Illinois Meat Judging Team, is designed to spark interest in meat judging and build foundational industry knowledge.
“We are incredibly proud of the students from Illinois who choose to participate in the State 4-H Meat Judging Contest,” said Elli Burris, Illinois Meat Judging coach and instructor. “I firmly believe that this contest greatly betters their critical thinking, communication, and quick decision-making skills -- skills that are incredibly vital as they grow and develop outside the classroom.”
In the junior division, the top individual was Corben Strand of Henry-Stark County. Other top junior individuals included Ava Faber of Livingston County, Eli Faber of Livingston County, Carter Keller of Marshall-Putnam County, Isaac Mackinson of Livingston County, Hunter Heckman of Marshall-Putnam County, Raylen Campbell of Marshall-Putnam County, Chloe Jae Schmidt of Stephenson County, Tanner Dwyer of Henry-Stark County, and Garren Boelens of Henry-Stark County.
The top junior teams were Livingston County in first place, followed by Henry-Stark County and Marshall-Putnam County.
In the senior division, Reed Tharp of Jasper County earned top individual honors. Other top senior individuals included Brogan Keltner of Stephenson County, Maleigha Blunier of Marshall-Putnam County, Adam Weber of Jasper County, Kyle Kocher of Richland County, Audrey Elliott of Jasper County, Lindley Burns of Mercer County, Owen Kocher of Richland County, Isabelle Probst of Jasper County, and Lane Kocher of Marshall-Putnam County.
Marshall-Putnam County placed first in the senior team competition, followed by Jasper County and Richland County.
The Illinois 4-H State Meat Judging Contest provides youth with hands-on opportunities to build decision-making, evaluation, and communication skills while exploring careers in agriculture and food systems.
Source: Shelby Carlson, 4-H Youth Development Educator, srcarls2@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu
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.
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.