MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Brad Rugg, Superintendent, 612-624-8443
Sarah Schmidt, Planning Committee Member 320-583-4126
4-H DAIRY SHOWCASE RECOGNIZES
OUTSTANDING YOUTH
– The top 25 4-H dairy project members from across Minnesota were
recognized for their dedication to their cows, clubs and communities. More than $45,000 was contributed by
donors and awarded to youth at the 7th Annual Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase held Sunday, August 30th, at
the Minnesota State Fair.
Donors who contributed at the Tanker level ($3,000 and up) included Gopher Dairy Club of the
University Of Minnesota, AgStar Financial Services, and Grain Millers Dairy Products. Milk Can donors
($1,000 to $2,499) included Foremost Farms USA, Johnan Holsteins, John & Nancy Bierbaum, Midwest
Dairy Association, Nick & Nancy Kunkel and American Farm Bureau Federation IDEAg. The top 25 dairy
project members are (in order 1 – 25):
August 30, 2015 St. Paul, Minn.
Name & Award
County
Parent
Sponsor
1st
2nd
Kayla Leiding - $3500
Gabriella Sorg - $3200
Fillmore
Dakota
Gopher Dairy Club, University of Minnesota
AgStar Financial Services
3rd
Lauren Hendel - $3000
Houston
Todd & Stacey
William &
Juanita
Matt & Pam
4th
Emily Benrud - $2500
Goodhue
5th
Haely Leiding - $2000
Fillmore
Roger &
Michelle
Todd & Stacey
6th
Sierra Swanson - $1750
McLeod
David & Kari
Johnan Holsteins, John & Nancy Bierhaum,
Foremost Farms USA
Midwest Dairy Association, American Farm
Bureau Federation IDEAg
Nick & Nancy Kunkel, Riverview
7th
Lucas Plamann - $1500
McLeod
8th
Isabella Portner - $1400
Brown
9th
Caleb Vinkemeier - $1320
Carver
10th
James Gathje - $1250
Meeker
Steve & Debbie MN DHIA, MN Corn Growers Association, Big
Gain
Tom & Mary
MN Brown Swiss Association, Kwik Trip, Polka
Dot Dairy
Jeff & Tina
MN Purebred Dairy Cattle Association,
Caledonia Haulers, CoBank
Scott & Denise
AMPI, Sysco Minnesota, Quality Liquid Feeds
11th
McLeod
David & Kari
12th
McKenzie Swanson $1200
Anna Buckentine - $1200
Carver
Jon & Jeanie
13th
Owen Scheffler - $1200
Goodhue
Tony & Maizie
Grain Millers Dairy Products
MN Farmers Union, Davisco Foods
International, Bongards’ Creamery
MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council,
CHS, Udder Tech
Dana Allen-Tully & Jim Tully, MN Select Sires,
MN Beef Council
© 2014 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at
800-876-8636. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer waste material.
14th
Kristin Erf - $1200
Washington David & Kathy
15th
Emily Annexstad - $1200
Nicollet
Fillmore Co. 4-H, Rice Co. 4-H, Rice Co. ADA
Rolf & Jean
Larry Rosenfeld Memorial, ADM Alliance
Nutrition, Wolf Creek Dairy
th
16
Shelby Kuechle - $1100
Meeker
Perry & Sarah
MN Junior Holstein Association, Hubbard
Feeds, IBA Dairy Supplies, Trans Ova
Genetics
17th Amy-Jo Vander Wal Pipestone
John & Belinda Accelerated Genetics, ABS Global, Albert
$1100
Lea Seed, AgCountry Farm Credit Services,
American AGCO
18th Tyler Kappers - $1100
Fillmore
James & Janet Burnett Dairy Co-op, Brown Co. 4-H
Federation, Centra Sota Co-op, Boehringer
Ingelheim Vetmedica, Classic Mix Partners
19th Aaron Houdek - $1100
Houston
Kris
Dairy Farmers of America, Dairyland
Laboratories, Ecolab, Elanco Animal Health,
Jim & Mary Evans
20th Kelsey Erf - $1100
Washington David & Kathy Genex Co-op, Fillmore Co. ADA, First District
Association, Form-A-Feed, Hastings Co-op
Creamery
st
21
Catherine Thompson Olmsted
Donny & Holly
K5 Ranch, Land O’ Lakes, Leedstone, Lely
$1000
USA, Michael Foods
22nd Emily Pieper - $1000
Rice
Ray & Bridget
MN Holstein Association, Midwest Embryo
Transfer Service, MN Farm Bureau
Foundation, Morrison Co. ADA, Munson Lakes
Nutrition, Nelson Milk Hauling
23rd Judd Saemrow - $1000
Rice
Gordon &
Loren & Laura Olson & Family, Ocheda
Hindy
Dairy, Organic Valley, Parnell Corporate
Services, Port-Haven Dairy, Theresa & Philip
Raak
24th Mikayla Erf - $1000
Washington David & Kathy Strong Animals, Rice Co. 4-H Boosters,
Rochester Area Holstein Association, Schultz
Milk Hauling, Schaefer Ventilation Equipment,
Sjostrom Farms
25th Carley Vinkemeier - $1000 Carver
Jeff & Tina
Steele Co. ADA, Tandem Products/
Tenderfoot Division, United Farm Credit
Services, United Farmers Co-op, Ziegler Cat,
Zoetis
Minnesota State Fair 4-H dairy cattle exhibitors who receive a purple or blue ribbon in their
respective class are eligible to participate. Youth also complete an online leadership portfolio and earn
points based on his or her project leadership, dairy-related activities and community involvement. Bonus
points are given to individuals receiving champion and reserve champion honors. A committee of judges
selects the top 25 based on a scorecard format. To date, the event has awarded more than $160,000 to
deserving Minnesota 4-H youth.
The Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase is a joint effort between the Minnesota Livestock Breeders
Association and the Minnesota 4-H Dairy Project Development Committee.
© 2014 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at
800-876-8636. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer waste material.