SPARTA, Ill. – Local youth have been working hard and were excited to get in the show ring at the Perry County Fairgrounds to exhibit their beef, swine, sheep, and goats during the annual 4-H Livestock Show. A few days prior, many 4-H members also participated in a 4-H Small Pets Show, where they shared their knowledge of cats, dogs, lizards, rabbits, and other small pets, with local judges. Both events allowed youth to display sportsmanship and exude confidence as they showed the "best of the best" during the shows.

4-H youth also had the opportunity to participate in the livestock auction. The auction is an opportunity for local businesses, families, and community members to purchase animals exhibited during the fair. The auction is a great way to support local youth as participants receive the full proceeds from the sale of their livestock. Those who placed in the 2024 shows include:

Market Beef

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

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 Female Beef

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

• Avery Craig (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Gilt

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

• Josie Weber (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion

Market Swine

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

• Josie Weber (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Swine Premier

• Josie Weber (Coulterville) –Grand Champion

• Isac Smith (Chester) –  Reserve Grand Champion 

 Dairy Goat

• Dani Nelson (Ellis Grove) –Grand Champion

• Annabelle Pearce (Modoc) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Female Meat Goat

• Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion 

Market Goat

• Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Grand Champion 

• Lilyan Lehde (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Female Lamb  

• Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Grand Champion

• Addalyn Browning (Evansville) – Reserve Grand Champion   

Market Lamb

• Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Grand Champion 

• Josie Weber (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion

Cat Care

• Alaina Smith (Ruma) – Best in Show 

• Annabelle Pearce (Modoc) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Dog Care

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

• Avery Craig (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion 

 Small Pets

• Sophia Riekerberg (Steelville) – Grand Champion 

 Horse

• Avery Craig (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

 Poultry

• Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion 

• Lawson Kurtz (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion 

 Rabbit

• Loughlyn Kurtz (Sparta) - Grand Champion 

• Isac Smith (Chester) –  Reserve Grand Champion 

 Junior Showmanship

• Beef – Ashlyn Orella (Walsh)

• Dog – Josie Weber (Coulterville)

• Goat – Lawson Kurtz (Sparta) 

• Horse – Avery Craig (Coulterville)

• Poultry – Lawson Kurtz (Sparta)

• Rabbit – Addalyn Browning (Evansville)

• Sheep  – Josie Weber (Coulterville) 

• Swine – Lawson Kurtz (Sparta)

Senior Showmanship

• Beef – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)

• Dog – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)

• Goat – Logan Lehde (Sparta)

• Poultry – Breanna Autry (Modoc)

• Rabbit – Loughlyn Kurtz (Coulterville)

• Sheep – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)

• Swine – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)

 Tractor Driving 

• Logan Lehde (Sparta) –Grand Champion

• Isac Smith (Chester) – Reserve Grand Champion

Learn how to get involved with 4-H at go.illinois.edu/4-HJourney.