Members Exhibit Success at 4-H Shows

By Editor | July 23, 2025 |

Jersey County 4-H members exhibited over 390 projects at the summer 4-H shows July 3-7 at the Jersey County Fairgrounds. Members finished preparations for the 4-H shows by pledging their hands to larger service at fair clean-up on July 3 at the fairgrounds. Youth assisted in preparing livestock stalls, cleaning in the exhibit hall and setting up chairs for upcoming shows. Members then turned on the competition and competed in the annual 4-H Games organized by the Jersey County 4-H Youth Leadership Team. Youth teamed up with their club members in five teambuilding activities. Southwestern Hoof ‘n Horn won bragging rights for 2025. Special thanks to Rothe Family Seed for sponsoring lunch for all members who volunteered at fair clean-up and participated in the 4-H Games.

Another full day of shows took place on Saturday, July 5. 4-H members began bright and early with the Rabbit Show. Wayne Schafer graciously judged rabbit projects for 2025. Schafer shared lots of great information, showmanship skills and tips with our exhibitors. Mia Wolff earned Grand Champion Rabbit. Libby Wolff took home Reserve Grand Champion. Grant Blasa earned Senior Showmanship Champion. The 4-H Poultry show rounded out the morning where members were eager to exhibit their hard work from the year. Avery Brandt earned Grand Champion Poultry, Champion Pullet, Champion Hen, Champion Rooster, Reserve Champion Cockerel, and Junior Poultry Showmanship Champion. Sophia Steinacher earned Reserve Gand Champion Poultry, Champion Cockerel, Reserve Champion Pullet, and Reserve Champion Hen. Kimberlee Ford was awarded Grand Champion Laying Pen and Reserve Champion Hen. Ava Pulley was awarded Senior Poultry Showmanship Champion for her poultry expertise. Special thanks to Bill Bree of Lincoln, IL for judging this year’s poultry projects. The 4-H General Show finished off a busy day as members shared a variety of projects from robotics to woodworking, cooking to video/filmmaking and everything in between. Best of Show awards went to: Chalk, Carbon, Pigments – Kimberlee Ford; Clothing/Textiles – Morgan Steckel; Cooking 201 – Sam Pulley; Cooking 301 – Emmy Rothe; Creative Writing – Alayna Rothe; Horticulture/Veg. Gardening – Allison Haarmann; Photography – Molly Steckel; Sports Nutrition – Douglas Ford; Scrapbooking – Lily Sears; Veterinary Science – Sophia Mielke; Video/Film – Douglas Ford; Visual Arts – Morgan Steckel; Visual Arts – Ava Pulley; Visual Arts – Grant Blasa; Woodworking – Clark Blasa. Thank you to our knowledgeable judges for sharing their expertise and commitment to 4-H; Kathy Stine, Amy Lowis, Connor Ashlock, Angie Mager, Ashley Lee, Beth McGlasson, Jack Stork, Sara Marten, Jody Jedlicka, Anna Fessler, and Michelle Cordes.

Sunday, July 6, livestock members tested their skills at the annual Master Showmanship contest. Special thanks to our judge Kerry Johnston for joining us this year. The judge did a wonderful job of sharing his expertise while supporting and educating our 4-H youth. Grand Champion Master Showmanship was awarded to Autumn Terpening in the Senior Division. Terpening will go on to represent Jersey County and compete at the Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau in August at the Illinois State Fair. Lucy Boes received Reserve Grand Champion in the Senior Division. Grand Champion in the Junior Division was awarded to Maci Beckman and Adria Moore earned Reserve Grand Champion. Special thanks to Jersey County Farm Bureau for providing ice cream and t-shirts at the event.

The final day of shows was held on Monday, July 7. Jersey State Bank sponsored breakfast for everyone during the morning livestock shows and CHS provided refreshments. Annie Schoetmer of Jacksonville, IL judged the morning livestock shows consisting of swine, sheep and goat projects. Emery Gwillim earned Grand Champion Gilt. Jessa Gwillim earned Reserve Grand Champion Gilt. Morgan Fritz was awarded Grand Champion Market Hog. Ian Gwillim earned Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog and Senior Swine Showmanship Champion. Jeffery Bagley earned Junior Swine Showmanship Champion. Eli Hanold earned Grand Champion Ewe and Charlotte Milner received Reserve Grand Champion Ewe. Jocelyn Krueger earned Grand Champion Market Lamb and Senior Showmanship Champion. Elza Moore was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb. Kipton Moore earned Junior Sheep Showmanship Champion. Members wrapped up a morning of exhibiting with the 4-H Goat show. Jocelyn Krueger earned Grand Champion Doe, Reserve Grand Champion Doe, Grand Champion Market Goat, Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat, and Senior Goat Showmanship Champion. The 2025 4-H Beef Show was judged by Preston Rhode of Carlock, IL. Carson Beckman earned Grand Champion Heifer. Clayton Richey earned Reserve Grand Champion Heifer. Jocelyn Krueger was awarded Grand Champion Market Beef. Adria Moore earned Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef. Maci Beckman earned Senior Beef Showmanship Champion and Case Isringhausen earned Junior Beef Showmanship Champion.

Members celebrated a week full of 4-H shows with the Jersey County 4-H Foundation Appreciation Dinner and the 4-H Livestock Auction in the evening on July 7.

Jersey County 4-H is incredibly thankful to the wonderful families, dedicated volunteers, generous donors and business partners committed to making the best better. Thanks to our community, Jersey County 4-H continues to be a success and provide positive youth development for the youth of Jersey County.

For information about Jersey County 4-H and how to join contact Beth Steckel at [email protected] or the Jersey County Extension Office at 618-498-2913. If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please contact Beth Steckel at [email protected]. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

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.