By Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension
More than 60 Vermont 4-H dairy members proved that they were up to the challenge as they explored various dairy-related topics at a statewide event, Nov. 10 in Burlington.
The annual State 4-H Dairy Challenge, sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and held on the UVM campus, entailed four learning sessions, each capped off with a written test with age-appropriate questions for each of the four age groups. This year's topics were the watershed, the reproductive tract, tractor safety and the history of the cow.
The senior division for 4-H'ers ages 14-18 had 36 participants, the largest group in the competition. Up to 10 rosette ribbons were awarded per age group to the top overall scorers, who were:
Seniors: Courtney Curler, Bridport (first); Rose Tarbell, Middletown Springs (second); Abigail Armstrong, Granville, New York (third): Ellie Bissell, Richmond (fourth); Abagail Hurd, Holland (fifth); Aislynn Farr, Richmond (sixth); Lillianne Seward, Weston (seventh); Averie Brown, East Montpelier (eighth); Averi Salley, Ferrisburgh (ninth); Joseph Real, Georgia (tenth)
12- and 13-year-olds: Abby Carson, Newbury (first); Elizabeth Crawford, Whiting (second); Jeremy Cross, Reading (third); Donovan Noyes, East Montpelier (fourth); Kadence Cardi, West Rutland (fifth); Dylan Slack, Bethel (sixth); Sarah Hill, New Haven (seventh); Memphis Beamis, North Clarendon (eighth); Blakelee Hoffman, Berlin (ninth); Brailey Livingston, New Haven (tenth)
10- and 11-year-olds: Emma Seward, East Wallingford (first); Christin Haynes, East Montpelier (second); Elizabeth Waterman, Thetford Center (third); Caleb Sprague, East Wallingford (fourth); Dominic Palazzo, Pomfret (fifth): Tristin Sumner, Granville, New York (sixth); Andrew Fors, Bethel (seventh); Leah Rogers, Braintree (eighth); Ruby Hubbell, Shoreham (ninth); Patty Bruce, East Wallingford (tenth)
8- and 9-year-olds: Natalia Tarbell, Middletown Springs (first); Hailey Dow, West Hartford (second); Charles Young, Bethel (third); Joey Palazzo (fourth) and Brooke Rowlee (fifth), both from Reading; Arden Riesterer (sixth) and Austin Washburn (seventh), both from Bethel
To learn more about the 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 651-8343, ext. 513.