DeKalb County 4-H Fair 2021
Lessons Learned from Showing Livestock
Showed: Boer Goat
Favorite part: “The satisfaction of seeing everything come together.”
Lessons learned: “It’s important to learn from my mistakes, don’t be too hard on yourself, and there’s always something to improve.”
Showed: Shropshire Sheep
Favorite part: “Being able to connect with animals that I’ve worked so hard with since birth.”
Lessons learned: “I’ve learned responsibility, and that it’s a process because I started from the bottom.”
Showed: Hereford Beef Cow
Favorite part: “Grooming my beef cow is my favorite part.”
Lessons learned: “I’ve learned a lot my first year, like the different breeds of cows.”
Showed: Polish Rabbit
Favorite part: “Spending a lot of time with my rabbit.”
Lessons learned: “If you’re going to show an animal you have to put in the time to get them ready.”
Showed: Crossbred Barrow
Favorite part: “Having fun and spending time with the pigs.”
Lessons learned: “I’ve learned how to take care of animals.”
Showed: Simmental Angus Calf
Favorite part: “Washing and brushing my animals.”
Lessons learned: “I’ve learned responsibility and how to take care of a bucket calf.”
2021 DeKalb County 4-H Grand Champions
Charley O’Donnell of Shabbona Pioneers 4-H showed the Grand Champion Market Steer. Emma Rhoads with Genoa Prairie Gems 4-H showed the Grand Champion Overall Market Hog. Brian Roach of Malta Mustangs 4-H won Grand Champion Market Lamb. Sara Johnson with Esmond Echoes 4-H won Grand Champion Beef Female. Kylie Watry of Parke Victory 4-H showed the Grand Champion Market Goat. Westin Poynter with Parke Victory 4-H won Grand Champion Ewe.

Scenes from the Livestock & Project Shows
Roland Nickels – Hinckley Harvestors Aiden Carmichael – Esmond Echoes Madison Bend – Shabbona Pioneers Drake Prestegaard – Shabbona Pioneer & Christian Thurwanger – Pork Producer President Elliana Dean, Parke Victory Allie Peterson – Shabbona Pioneers Libby Johnson – Shabbona Pioneers Drake Slutz – Genoa Prairie Gems Mark Pritchard – Hinckley Harvestors & Colton Hall – Kingston Juniors with judge Jesse Faber Charles & Lewis Anderson – Somonauk Haymakers Lilly Sanderson – Somonauk Haymakers