BURLINGTON — University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H hosted the annual 4-H Dairy Challenge on Nov. 15 in Burlington. The event  attracted 110 participants, a record-breaking turnout.
The challenge, held on the UVM campus, is designed to expand 4-H’ers’ dairy knowledge through a series of learning sessions, each followed by a written quiz. This year, the sessions covered artificial insemination, lameness, the cow stomach and the udder.
Instructors included Katie Ballard, director of research for the Minor Institute, and UVM students Delaney Douglas, Alex Lambright, Melissa McCole, Ava McPhail, Morgan Summers, Maureen Whitney and Sarah Zeger. UVM student Sharon Palmer and Lindy Birch, Orleans and Essex County 4-H educator, also assisted at the event, which was organized by Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator.
The 4-H youths were split into four groups according to age, with the top 10 overall scorers in each group earning rosette ribbons. The winners in order of placement were:
Fourteen- to 18-year-olds: Isabel Hall, East Montpelier; Abigail Hurd, Hardwick; Maggie Kirby, East Montpelier; Lillianne Seward, East Wallingford and Jake Senecal, Bradford (tie); Thomas Parker, East Montpelier; Kennedy Moore, Reading; Emily Carson, Newbury; Andrew Seward, East Wallingford; Levi Vaughan, Thetford; and Maddie Nadeau, Holland.
Twelve- and 13-year-olds: Andrea Palmer, Weybridge; Ellie Bissell, Richmond; Calab Palazzo, Reading; Lena Ashooh, Shelburne; Caroline Kirby, East Montpelier; Ethan Mello, West Windsor; Rose Tarbell, Middletown Springs; Katy Waterman, Weybridge; Alexis Farr, Richmond; and Riley Cross, Brownsville.
Ten- and 11-year-olds: Jordan Herlihy, Lunenburg; Michael Plouffe, Bridport; Charlie Haynes, East Montpelier; Cody Trudeau, Hardwick; Abby Carson, Newbury; Lincoln Michaud, East Hardwick; Haley Michaud, East Hardwick; Bethany Conway, East Hardwick; Morgan White, Whiting; and Aleah Nelson, Ryegate.
Eight- and 9-year-olds: Livi Russo, Lunenburg; Josie Cross, Brownsville; Jorja Kinney, Newport Center; Natalie Michaud, East Hardwick; Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick; Christin Haynes, East Montpelier; Emma Seward, East Wallingford; Gabriel Michaud, East Montpelier; Emma Conway, East Hardwick; and Patty Bruce, East Wallingford
Contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-5418 or (800) 571-0668, ext. 2, to learn more about the 4-H dairy program.