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Thirty-six Rock County 4-H’ers exhibited livestock and general projects during the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 26-Sept. 6.
Seven local youth came away with high honors.
In the livestock competition, Christian Kruse received champion middleweight market lamb and reserve champion overall market lamb during the first week of the state fair. Due to his placing, Kruse was invited to participate in the Purple Ribbon Auction. (See related story.)
Two other 4-H’ers received reserve champion ribbons.
Drew Fick earned a reserve champion ribbon for his Duroc barrow, and judges awarded Fick with a reserve champion overall market barrow title. He was also invited to participate in the Purple Ribbon Auction.
Justin Mente earned a reserve champion with his Maine-Anjou breeding heifer.
A purple ribbon was given to Mallie Fick for her market gilt. She also was invited to the Purple Ribbon Auction.
Tory Knobloch also received a purple ribbon for his market heifer.
In the static or non-livestock projects, a purple ribbon is the highest placing a 4-H’er can achieve through the conference judging setting.
Two 4-H’ers came away with purple ribbons.
Zachary Uhl received a purple for his restored 1/16th Oliver tractor.
Candace Porter earned a purple for her photograph of a giant horse fly.
An option for 2021 is that 4-H’ers could have their livestock and static projects judged virtually. For the livestock shows, all Rock County 4-H’ers participated in person.
In 2020, with the state fair canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 4-H program conducted an all-virtual state showcase for livestock and general projects. Participants in
4-H earned a chance to enter the virtual shows by qualifying at their local 4-H showcases conducted throughout the state in place of county fairs.
Other local 4-H participants at the 2021 State Fair event, category entered, and ribbon placing earned include:
•Nathan Kinsinger, sixth, commercial spring calf.
•Leah Kruse, sixth, registered Hereford.
•Lanae Elbers, fourth, crossbred steer.
•Claire Knobloch, fourth, market heifer.
•Danette Leenderts, third, crossbred steer.
•Donavon Leenderts, third, market heifer.
•Peyton Blom, blue, crossbred fall dairy calf.
•Caleb Raak, blue, Guernsey Junior Yearling.
•Jacob Raak, blue, grade 2-year-old Holstein.
•Grace Sandbulte, red, mini rex senior buck; blue, food and nutrition grades 9+.
•Dennie Sandbulte, blue, mini rex senior doe.
•Brenna Reker, blue, clothes you make grades 6-8; fashion revue clothes you make grades 6-8 participant.
•Wyatt Fey, fashion review clothes you make grades 6-8 participant.
•Joy Fey, Fashion review clothes you make grades 9+ participant.
•Andrea Honken, blue, crafts grades 6-8.
•Ashlyn Johnson, red, crafts grades 9+.
•Lucas Madison, blue, fine arts grades 6-8.
•Grace Ingebretsen, blue, fine arts grades 9+.
•Myles Trimble, blue, fine arts grades 9+.
•Fox Forrest, blue, indoor gardening grades 6-8.
•Krista Burkman, blue, needle arts grades 9+.
•Ava Steinhoff, blue, photography grades 6-8.
•Larissa Steinhoff, blue, fine arts grades 9+.
•Joshua Honken, blue, shop grades 6-8.
•Jacob Madison, red, biology, grades 9+.
•Gracie Eagerness, blue, market barrow; interview finalist.
•Brianna Kinsinger, blue, performing arts grades 6-8.
•Egypt Forrest, blue, performing arts grades 9+.
•Aisha Porter, blue, photography grades 9+.
The Magnolia Juniors 4-H Club competed in the banner competition. Club members received a blue ribbon.