By Perry County 4H
PERRYVILLE – Young people at the Perry County 4-H Fair showcased their work in record numbers this year. A total 859 items and animals were exhibited at the County 4-H Fair shows held in July, which is the highest in more than 35 years.
Thrivent Financial, Kendra Troncale, was presented the 2024 Perry County Friend of 4-H Award by Perry County 4-H Council President, Natalie Fritsche-Kasten.
Perry County 4-H’ers showed what they learned and accomplished for all to see at the 4-H Fair Animal Show July 20, 4-H Fair Horse Show July 21 and 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner July 31.
Champion purple ribbon winners were selected for the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo. from project items displayed at the American Legion 4-H Fair & Chicken Dinner. Through the exhibits, 4-H members demonstrate the knowledge, skills and work ethic they have gained for the specific project, or interest area they explored.
Youth exhibited items and animals representing a wide variety of 54 different project “interest” areas.
Over 1000 4-H supporters, family members, leaders and 4-H’ers participated in the Perry County 4-H Fair Shows & Chicken Dinner.
4-H members served 899 people at the delicious “legion” chicken dinner held during the event to pay the 4-H Fair expenses and premium money to members. In the last 30 years, this is the 13th highest number of people served at the chicken dinner. 4-H families provided desserts. The American Legion Post #133 has sponsored this sizable event as a youth project for more than 40 years. ALL proceeds from the Chicken Dinner are paid back to the 4-H members for the ribbons earned at the fair on their project work.
A record number of 4-H entrepreneurs marketed their products, practiced their entrepreneur skills and made money doing it at the Show-Me 4-H Wares event held once again during the 4-H Fair Chicken Dinner for the 15th year.
Dresden Donze from Farrar 4-H Club sold his local Honey & Beeswax chapstick; Elijah Kasten, Farrar 4-H had “Elijah’s Home Plants” (aloe and more), Adeline Buchheit, Friendly Valley 4-H Club had her “Donut Queen” donuts for sale; “Country Jammin’ Jellies” were sold by Wyatt Holt and Dominic Winningham of Farrar 4-H Club, Faith Buchheit, Country ‘n Camo 4-H Club sold a wide selection of “Faith by Design” items (Handmade Crochet Earrings, scrunchies, scrubbies & more); Joshua Southard, Farrar 4-H Club sold Flag Stand/Holders with his “Joshua’s Patriotic Creations”; Josie Zahner, Vanguard 4-H Club had homemade Slime for sale; Paige Motley, Country ‘n Camo 4-H sold her Coasters, Tumblers & Earrings; Mackenzie Southard, Farrar 4-H Club, had her “Mackenzie’s Fabulous Fibers” business and sold small pouch bags; Alex Motley, Country ‘n Camo 4-H Club had 3D printed sculptures for sale; Landon Zahner, Vanguard 4-H Club sold 4-H Ornaments; “Rylynn’s Majestic Suncatchers” were sold by Rylynn Chaney, Vanguard 4-H Club; Gavin Ruehling, Country ‘n Camo 4-H Club sold his handmade Leather items;
4-H members took “center stage” at the 4-H Fair Style Show held in the American Legion to model what they made. 4-H’ers in the Style Show included: Josie Zahner, Vanguard 4-H Club in the skirt she sewed; Mackenzie Southard, Farrar 4-H, in the apron she made; Elijah Kasten, Farrar 4-H with pajama shorts he constructed; Luke Asselmeier from Friendly Valley 4-H Club with a no sleeve shirt he made; Clara Kasten, Farrar 4-H Clover Kids modeled a pillow case dress that was made by her brother Elijah Kasten; Sophia Asselmeier, Friendly Valley 4-H, looked cool in a navy blue skirt she constructed in Clothing; Bella Asselmeier, Friendly Valley 4-H Club, modeled the sea foam blue skirt she made; Dresden Donze, Farrar 4-H, showed off the ‘Goat Tote’ he made from a recycled feed sack to store all his goat supplies and Josie Zahner completed the show by modeling a second time in the sundress she made in the 4-H Sewing project. Teen Council President, Gradon Ruehling, served as Master of Ceremonies for the 4-H Fair Style Show.
The coveted “Friend of 4-H” award was presented to Thrivent Financial-Kendra Troncale, Financial Advisor by Natalie Fritsche-Kasten, Perry County 4-H Council President. The “Friend of 4-H” is presented annually in recognition of support provided to Perry County 4-H by an individual, business or organization.
Water balloon toss and old fashioned games for all ages of kids were conducted by Teen Council members the evening of the Chicken Dinner on the St. Vincent de Paul Quonset Hut lawn.
Special “Best of Show” Handmade Green & White Rosette 4-H ribbons were awarded to exhibits judged as “Overall Champions”. These projects demonstrate outstanding quality work and effort relative to standards.
Only the following 13 projects were selected for this top honor from various areas of 4-H project work: Faith Buchheit, Country ‘n Camo 4-H Club,-:”Twilight’s Touch Doily” in Crochet; Hunter Hoehn, Farrar Hawthorne 4-H Club-“Spinner-Bait Bass” in Sport Fishing; Jason Miesner, Farrar 4-H Club-“Woodburning” in Crafts; Sophia Asselmeier, Friendly Valley 4-H Club-“Clay Farm” in Visual Arts; Gracie Weinkein, Farrar 4-H Club, “Purple & White flowers” in Floriculture; Carter Unterreiner, Mighty Mustangs 4-H Club,-“Garden of Gods Siamese Twins” in Photography; Elijah Kasten, Farrar 4-H Club – “Pillow Cases” in Sewing; Cara Winningham, Farrar 4-H Club-“4-H Camp” in Leadership; Adeline Buchheit, Friendly Valley 4-H Club-“Alfalfa” in Agronomy; Rosa Lowes, Friendly Valley 4-H Club-“Decorated .22 Pistol Case” in Shooting Sports; Mackenzie Southard, Farrar 4-H Club -“Picture Frame” in Woodwork; Landon Zahner, Vanguard 4-H Club, “Trunk” in Interior Design; Wyatt Holt, Farrar 4-H Club, “Dozen Medium Eggs” in Poultry;
The Purple Champion ribbon is awarded only to those exhibits that are of blue ribbon quality and demonstrate high quality, relative to standards of the project area. Most Purple ribbon exhibits are eligible to represent Perry County at the Missouri State Fair. All the Perry County 4-H members earning Champion Purple ribbons are listed in this article.
The top six State Fair eligible Purple Ribbon Champion Educational Posters selected were:
Joshua Southard – “Makin’ Bacon” in Country Cured Bacon Project
Cara Winningham – “Cochin Bantams” in Poultry
Carter Unterreiner – “Basics of Diet& Nutrition” in Rabbits
Gradon Ruehling – “Ringworm in Sheep” in Veterinary Science
Adeline Buchheit – “Japanese Holidays” in Global Education
Cara Winningham – “4-H Camp 2024” in Leadership
CHAMPION PURPLE RIBBON PROJECTS
-Agronomy-Field Crops: Champions: Bryce Schmidt, Clayton Lohmann, Adeline Buchheit, Dalton Lohmann & Zachary Buchheit.
-Animals (Educational Displays): Champion Purple Ribbons: Cat Care-Caitlin Winningham; Horse Knowledge-Leah Grantham; Poultry-Wyatt Holt & Cara Winningham, Rabbits-Carter Unterreiner
-Beekeeping Champions – Dresden Donze.
-Arts & Crafts: Champion Purple Ribbon Winners:
Ages 8-10- Austin Miesner, 2 to Torin Zahner, Hadley Versemann, Reid Bachmann, 3 to Josephine Zahner, 2 to Peyton Versemann, Sophia Asselmeier, Elijah Kasten, 2 to Rylynn Chaney, 3 to Sarah Roberts, Caitlin Winningham, 2to Dresden Donze, Chloe Zahner, Heidi Miesner
Ages 11-13 – Emma Taylor, 2 to Sydney Moran, Henry Lohmann, 2 to Annie Buchheit, 3 to Gavin Ruehling, 2 to Jason Miesner, Joey Haley, 2 to Engel Lohmann.
Ages 14-18 –Alex Motley, Josie Angle, 3 to Max Asselmeier, Faith Buchheit, Rosa Lowes, Eli Lowes.
-Arts–Drawing, Fiber Arts & Sculpture: Champions to Hunter Hoehn & Faith Buchheit
-Arts-Painting, Printing & Graphics Design: Champions to Elaina Taylor, 2 to Annie Buchheit, Sarah Roberts, Landon Zahner, Mackenzie Southard, Peyton Coffey, Torin Zahner.
-Scrapbooking: Champions to Engel Lohmann & Henry Lohmann
-Cake Decorating: Champions were: Adeline Buchheit, Gracie Weinkein.
-Communications: Cara Winningham
-Crochet: Champion Purple Ribbon Winners: Anna Rehagen, Leah Grantham, 3 to Faith Buchheit, Elaina Taylor, Peyton Coffey, Adeline Buchheit
– Entrepreneurship: Champion Purple Ribbons to: Sarah Roberts
-Foods-Cooking: Champion Purple Gracie Weinkein, Teagan Verseman, 2 to Hadley Versemann, Cara Winningham.
-Food Preservation-Boiling Water Canning: Champion Purple Ribbons: Wyatt Holt, 2 to Aubrie Dobbelare, Carter Unterreiner, Adeline Buchheit.
Geology- Champion Torin Zahner
Global Education – Champion Adeline Buchheit
Horticulture-Floriculture- Champion Gracie Weinkein
Horticulture-Novice Gardening- Champions Heidi Miesner, 2 to Rylynn Chaney, Austin Miesner, 2 to Dresden Donze;
Intermediate Gardening-2 to Hunter Hoehn, Zach Buchheit
Advanced Gardening – Drew Schmidt, 3 to Bryce Schmidt
Interior Design – Champions to Kinsley Lohmann, Aubrie Dobbelare, Landon Zahner
Leadership –Champion to Cara Winningham
Livestock Judging – Leah Grantham
Meats-Country Cured Bacon – Joshua Southard
-Photography: Champion State Fair Eligible Purple Ribbons: Novice-Carter Unterreiner, Josphine Zahner, Rylynn Chaney, Dresden Donze; Intermediate-Engel Lohmann, Cara Winningham; Advanced-Josie Angle, Max Asselmeier, Adeline Buchheit (2)
Other Champion purples to Sarah Roberts, Caitlin Winningham, 2 to Autumn Petzoldt.
-Sewing: Champion Purple Winners: Chloe Zahner, Luke Asselmeier, Josephine Zahner, 3 to Elijah Kasten, Chloe Zahner, Josie Angle.
-Shooting Sports: Champion Purple Ribbons: Archery-Practice Targets-Hunter Hoehn, Joshua Southard, Leah Grantham; Archery-Regional/State Shoots-Josephine Zahner, Joshua Southard, Merrick Zahner; Air & Pellet Rifle-Practice Targets-Leah Grantham, Sydney Moran, Air & Pellet Rifle-Regional/State Shoots-Henry Lohmann, Sydney Moran, 2 to George Lohmann, Engel Lohmann; Small Bore Rifle-Regional/State Shoots-Henry Lohmann, Rosa Lowes; Air Pistol-Practice Targets-Elijah Kasten, Anna Grantham, Eli Lowes; Air Pistol-Regional/State Shoots-Henry Lohmann, Mandy Schirmer, George Lohmann, 2 to Eli Lowes; Pistol-Non Targert-Rosa Lowes; Shotgun-Hunter Hoehn; Smallbore Pistol-Regional/State Shoots-2 to Eli Lowes; Muzzleloading-Practice Targerts-Eli Lowes, Rosa Lowes; Muzzleloading-State/Regional Shoots-Rosa Lowes, Eli Lowes
-Sport Fishing: Champion Purple Hunter Hoehn
-Theatre Arts: Champion Purple Annie Buchheit
-Veterinary Science-Grady Ruehling
-Welding: Champion Purple Ribbon Winners Henry Angle
-Woodworking: Champion Purple Ribbon Winners: Jason Miesner, 2 to Reid Bachmann, Joshua Southard, Hunter Hoehn, Mackenzie Southard, Dominic Winningham;
4-H Clover Kids is a non-competitive 4-H program for ages 5-7. Items exhibited are not judged but all earn a ribbon based on years of participation.
Clover Kids Members Exhibiting items were:
-Friendly Valley 4-H Clover Kids Club: 2ndYear-Eleanor Buchheit, Evelynn Taylor; 3rd year-Jillian McDowell;
-Farrar 4-H Clover Kids Club: 1st Year- Milo Bachmann, Olivia Bachmann, Paisley Brewer, Canton Donze, Landon Fritsche, Clara Kasten; 2nd Year-Mila Bachmann, Waylon Miesner, William Weinkein; 3rd year -Magnolia Meier; Domanik Vernon, Reagyn Vernon,
Vanguard 4-H Club Clover Kids: 2nd Year Jayla Ochs, Daxton Zahner;
EDUCATIONAL BOOTHS
Champion Booth – Vanguard 4-H Club “Put Down The Electronics and Move Across Mo”
Blue Ribbon Booths – Farrar Hawthorne 4-H Club with “It’s Not Just a Fair but a Family”
and Friendly Valley 4-H Club
TOP Sellers of Chicken Dinner Tickets
1st Place: Josie, Torin, Landon, Merrick & Daxton Zahner Family, Vanguard 4-H Club
2nd Place: Mackenzie & Joshua Southard Family, Farrar Hawthorne 4-H Club
3rd Place: Hadley, Petyon & Teagan Versemann Family, Farrar Hawthorne 4-H Club
Teen Council 50/50 Drawing Winner – Max Asselmeier
The Perry County 4-H Fair Animal Show was held July 20 in Altenburg. One purpose of 4-H animal projects is to teach young people how to feed, fit, and show their animals. The more important purpose is to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of the young person.
Live Animals:
Dogs: Champion Canine – Gradon Ruehling, Reserve Champion Mylee Geringer
and Obedience Champion: Mylee Geringer, Reserve Champion Gradon Ruehling
Rabbits: Senior Buck Champion – Paula Sticht; Reserve Annie Buchheit
Senior Doe Champion – Autumn Petzoldt; Reserve Colton Coffey
Junior Buck Champion – Samuel Lichtenegger; Reserve Megan Lichtenegger
Junior Doe Champion – Dresden Donze; Reserve Paula Sticht
Pets: Champion – Mandy Schirmer with her Bearded Dragon
Bucket Calf: Champion Calf – Heidi Miesner
Goats: Champion Meat Goat Doe over 1 year – Peyton Coffey, Reserve Champion Colton Coffey
Champion Meat Goat Billy under 1 year – Dresden Donze, Reserve Champion Peyton Coffey
Champion Meat Goat Doe under 1 year – Bryce Schmidt, Reserve Champion Dresden Donze
Champion Market Meat Goat Bryce Schmidt, Reserve Champion Dresden Donze
Champion Dairy Goat Doe over 1 year – Eme Meier
Champion Dairy Goat Billy under 1 year–Adeline Buchheit, Reserve Champion Gavin Ruehling
Champion Dairy Goat Doe under 1 year –Zachary Buchheit, Reserve Champ Adeline Buchheit
Champion Market Dairy Goat – Adeline Buchheit, Reserve Champion Dresden Donze
Poultry: Hen Champion –Dresden Donze
Cock Champion – Henry Lohmann
Pullet Champion – Autumn Petzoldt
Cockerel Champion – Zachary Buchheit
Drake Duck Champion – Autumn Petzoldt
Tom Turkey Champion – Torin Zahner
Hen Turkey Champion – Peyton Coffey
Sheep: Ram Over 1 Year Champion – Henry Lohmann
Ewe Over 1 Year Champion – Autumn Petzoldt; Reserve Ewe Over 1 Year-Henry Lohmann
Ram Under 1 Year Champion – Autumn Petzoldt; Reserve Ram Under 1 Year Engel Lohmann
Ewe Under 1 Year Champion – Champion Henry Lohmann, Reserve Engel Lohmann
Wool Ewe – under 1 year – Gradon Ruehling Reserve Gavin Ruehling
Champion Market Lamb– Gavin Ruehling Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Swine: Champion Barrow – Gavin Ruehling
Dairy: Champion Junior Heifer Clayton Lohmann
Champion Intermediate Heifer – Dalton Lohmann
4-H FAIR SHOWMANSHIP ROSETTE WINNERS
Beef – Junior-Afton Palisch
Senior – Ansley Palisch
Rabbits – Junior-Carter Unterreiner
Intermediate-Autumn Petzoldt
Senior Paula Sticht
Dogs –Intermediate-Gavin Ruehling
Senior- Mylee Geringer
Pets – Junior Mandy Schirmer
Intermediate – Merrick Zahner
Senior- Mylee Geringer
Clover Kids in the Small Animal Show & Tell for ages 5-7 were: Canton Donze, Farrar Clover Kids, talked about his Turtle; Daxton Zahner, Vanguard 4-H Clover Kids showed his turtle; Eleanor Buchheit, Friendly Valley Clover Kids showed her fish, Reagyn Vernon, Farrar 4-H, showed Corgi; Domanik Vernon, Farrar 4-H Clover Kids showed her guinea pig; Magnolia Meier, Farrar 4-H showed her Rabbit.
Poultry – Junior- Mandy Schirmer
Intermediate-Dominic Winningham
Senior – Cara Winningham
Bucket Calf – Jason Miesner
Sheep – Junior George Lohmann
Intermediate Gavin Ruehling
Gradon Ruehling
Goats – Junior Dresden Donze
Intermediate Gavin Ruehling
Senior – Mylee Geringer
Swine –Intermediate Gavin Ruehling
Senior Gradon Ruehling
Dairy – Clayton Lohmann
Perry County 4-H members showed their horsemanship skills at the Perry County 4-H Fair Horse Show held on Sunday, July 21 at the new Heartland 4-H Arena on the Perry County Saddle Club grounds. The show was judged on the Danish system with Blue, Red and White ribbons awarded based on individual learning. Then, Champion 1st and 2nd Place Reserve rosettes were awarded in classes based on comparison to others in the class and/or time.
Halter Showmanship Juniors Champion Kennley Heim Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Halter Showmanship Seniors– Champion Anna Rehagen; Reserve Mylee Geringer
Western Pleasure-Walk/Jog Champion Kennley Heim, Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Western Pleasure-Trot/Lop Champion Mylee Geringer, Reserve Siera Brotherton
Gaited Pleasure Juniors Champion Peyton Coffey, Reserve Mandy Schirmer
Gaited Pleasure Seniors Champion Anna Rehagen, Reserve Mylee Geringer
English Equitation Senior Champion Anna Rehagen, Reserve Leah Grantham
Pole Bending Juniors Champion Kennley Heim, Reserve Mandy Schirmer
Pole Bending Seniors Champion Siera Brotherton Reserve Mylee Geringer
Barrels Juniors Champion Kennley Heim, Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Barrels Seniors Champion Mylee Geringer; Reserve Siera Brotherton
Trail (Obstacle Course) Juniors Champion Kennley Heim Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Trail (Obstacle Course) Seniors Champion Mylee Geringer Reserve Siera Brotherton
Ranch Rail Juniors Champion Kennley Heim Reserve Autumn Petzoldt
Ranch Rail Seniors Champion Siera Brotherton Reserve Mylee Geringer
According to Dianna Koenig, Perry County University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Associate, “4-H thrives because caring adults get involved to help kids learn, grow and work together in a safe environment. I would like to thank all those who helped in any way with this year’s 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner. Enough thanks cannot be given to all the leaders, volunteers and parents who put in so much time and effort by sharing their time and talents with our 4-H members throughout the year.”
4-H is open to ALL youth in both town and rural areas to explore new interests and ideas, meet friends, have fun while learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. For information about how to participate in year-long 4-H clubs or short-term, focused 4-H SPIN (Special Interest) Clubs, contact Dianna Koenig, 4-H Youth Development Program Associate at 573-547-4504 or 573-513-2899.
The 4-H program is coordinated through the Perry County University of Missouri Extension Center. University of Missouri, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture & Local Extension Councils Cooperating Equal Opportunity/ADA Institutions