By Blake Jackson
Kentucky youth demonstrated outstanding skill and dedication at national 4-H competitions held during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in November at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
NAILE is the nation’s largest all-breed, purebred livestock show and features both general and species-specific contests for 4-H members from across the country.
Kentucky 4-H Youth Development, a Cooperative Extension program within the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, supports these opportunities to help young people grow as leaders through agriculture-based learning.
“These competitions are a shining example of how 4-H is continuing to cultivate generations of agricultural leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead in a world of change,” said Rachel Guidugli, assistant Extension director for Kentucky 4-H Youth Development.
“Not only do these youth exhibit high levels of content knowledge in an area they're passionate about, but they also expand marketable skills for work and life, like critical thinking, communication, goal setting and resilience.”
Guidugli also thanked Extension professionals, volunteers, parents, donors and NAILE organizers, adding, "Kentucky 4-H is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of the youth who competed.”
In the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl, the Scott County team placed second among 19 state teams. Team members Cate Noe, Creighton Smith, Sophia Smith and Pollyana Vaske all earned All-American honors, with Creighton finishing fifth and Sophia eighth individually.
Kentucky’s Livestock Skillathon team from Woodford County placed eighth overall and first in identification. Stockton Stivers finished ninth overall and second in identification, saying, “There is a unique feeling when the judge congratulates you and hands you the banner. It's a feeling of wow, I've put in the work, and this was the payout.”
Sarah Vanzant earned High Individual honors, noting, “I have been a part of Livestock Skillathon my whole life. Being able to represent Kentucky at this contest is such an honor.”
In Livestock Judging, Kentucky placed 19th overall and eighth in swine. “Livestock judging to me is more than just evaluating animals,” said Klaber Wolfe. “It’s given me the confidence to speak in front of people, the discipline to study and prepare in an efficient manner, and a team that feels like a family.”
Coach Wyatt Banks added, “This contest, as well as the other respective livestock contests, instill invaluable life skills that these youth can apply to any career field.”
Kentucky youth also earned strong finishes in poultry and egg competitions, highlighting their broad success at NAILE.
Photo Credit: north-american- international-livestock-exposition
Categories: Kentucky, Education, Livestock