4-H at Minnesota county fairs are not just fun annual events. Every summer, tens of thousands of 4-H youth participate in county fairs to showcase the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year, and to continue their learning experiences.

4-H youth spend months working on projects designed to equip them with essential life skills such as problem solving, decision making, project management, communications and public speaking. 4-Hers then share their accomplishments and educate the public about their subject at their local county fair. They also lead visitors on tours of the 4-H buildings and barns, and conduct workshops and hands-on demonstrations for the public. 4-Hers who demonstrate the highest achievements are then selected to participate in 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair.

Horse Show Results

This year’s 4-H State Qualifying Horse show took place on July 8. There were 10 riders registered in Senior, Junior, Novice, and Cloverbud level classes. Throughout the show, the judge assigns a ribbon placing, and Blue Ribbon rankings translate into points. Here are the youth who acquired the highest point totals for the day as well as those that will be representing Koochiching County 4-H at the State Horse Show from Sept. 13-16.

  • Sr. High Point: Grand Champion Kayla Cassibo, International Falls, on Koosca; Reserve Champion Jana Hendrickson, International Falls, on Missy
  • Jr High Point: Alexis Promersberger, Littlefork, on Secret
  • Novice High Point: Madeline Olson, International Falls, on Wrangler
  • Cloverbud Award: Jacob Olson, International Falls, on Hottie
  • State Horse Show Trip Participants: Kayla Cassibo on Koosca; Jana Hendrickson on Missy, and Alexis Promersberger on Secret

Livestock Results

The 4-H County Fair Livestock shows took place on July 12 and July 13 with 10 youth members displaying a variety of dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats, poultry, and rabbits exhibits. The judges selected top competitors in these categories as well. Here are the results as well as those that will be presenting Koochiching County 4-H at the State Livestock Show from Aug. 22-24:

  • Beef: Grand Champion Alexis Promersberge, for cow/calf pair; Reserve Champion Tate Promersberger, Littlefork, for steer calf
  • Beef Sr. Showmanship: Grand Champion Tate Promersberger
  • Goat Sr. Showmanship: Grand Champion Megan Herrly, International Falls,
  • Poultry: Grand Champion Alexis Promersberger for Duck Breeding Pen; Reserve Champion Tate Promersberger for Duck Breeding Pen
  • Poultry Sr. Showmanship: Grand Champion Jayde Hall, International Falls, for Guinea Hens
  • Rabbit: Grand Champion Brandy Hensch, Mizpah, for Senior Doe; Reserve Champion Jayde Hall for Senior Buck
  • Rabbit Sr. Showmanship : Grand Champion Brandy Hensch
  • State Livestock Show Trip Participant: Brandy Hensch in the Rabbit Division

General Education Results

Among the thirty-six 4-Hers who exhibited projects at the fair this year, some were awarded Grand and Reserve Champion ribbons by our judges. These special awards are given out to recognize a demonstration of excellence in a project area. Also, judges have the ability to award only a Reserve, just a Grand champion ribbon or none at all in a class. So, congratulations to all if the following youth who impressed our judges and went on to earn this extra bit of recognition.

  • Crafts: Grand Champion Rachel Fahey, Northome; Reserve Champion Madeline Olson
  • Demonstrations: Grand Champion Jayde Hall
  • Entomolgy: Grand Champion Peter Schneider, Northome
  • Exploring Animals: Grand Champion Jayde Hall; Reserve Champion Casey Gross, Northome
  • Fashion Review/Clothes You Buy: Grand Champion Heather Hall, International Falls; Reserve Champion Megan Herrly
  • Fine Arts: Grand Champion Zack Manka, International Falls; Reserve Champion Rachel Fahey
  • Fishing Sports: Grand Champion Levi Linder, Mizpah
  • Flower Gardening: Grand Champion Rachel Fahey
  • Food: Grand Champion Brandy Hensch
  • Performing Arts: Grand Champion Rachel Fahey; Reserve Champion Jayde Hall, International Falls,
  • Photography: Grand Champion Zack Manka, International Falls; Reserve Champion Rachel Fahey
  • Quilting: Grand Champion Brandy Hensch
  • Self Determined: Grand Champion Rachel Fahey; Reserve Champion Caleb Schneider, Northome
  • Shop: Grand Champion Levi Linder; Reserve Champion Lane Linder, Mizpah
  • Vegetable Gardening: Grand Champion Madeline Olson

Youth who win Blue Ribbons at the County Fair and have completed at least the 6th Grade may earn a trip to the Minnesota State Fair. At the end of our shows, judges rank all the Blue Ribbon winners, and from there we generate a list of those qualified to exhibit at the State Fair from August 27-29, 2013.

The following youth have advanced to the State Level with one of their 4-H projects:

Ian Ducharme, International Falls, Self-Determined (Iron Man Helmet); Alex Fahey, Self-Determined (Lego Battleship); Rachel Fahey, Performing Arts (Piano); Casey Gross, Exploring Animals (Alpaca Poster); Heather Hall, Fashion Review/Clothes You Buy; Jayde Hall, Performing Arts (Poetry); Megan Herrly, for Fashion Review/Clothes You Buy; Lane Lindner, Fishing Sports (Fishing Rod); Levi Lindner, Shop (Picnic Table); Zack Manka, International Falls, for Photography (Lake Sunset); Caleb Schneider, Self-Determined (Trailer), and Peter Schneider, Entomology (Insect Collection)

To learn more about 4-H in Koochiching County, contact 4-H Program Coordinator Stacy Hall, at 218-285-0962 and visit the website, www.4-H.umn.edu.