Michigan 4-H youth participate in dairy quiz bowl state contest

Kendra VanOrder<vanorde4@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Michigan 4-H dairy youth participated in the 2024 Michigan 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest held in MSU’s Anthony Hall on June 29. Sixty-seven youth from several counties competed in several rounds to determine champions.

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Photo by Ann H: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-blue-yes-button-and-a-red-no-button-21562934/

On the last Saturday of June, 67 Michigan 4-H dairy youth competed with and against their peers in the 4-H dairy quiz bowl state contest. This year’s contest had teams from ten different counties, two of which were new to the contest and hadn’t competed in previous years.

Traditionally, the 4-H dairy quiz bowl state contest was held in conjunction with Michigan 4-H Dairy Days at the Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. However, this year, the contest was moved to that last Saturday in June and held in the hallowed halls of Anthony Hall on MSU’s campus. This change allowed new teams and youth the chance to compete in the contest. While the change of scenery was new for both new and returning participants, the competitive spirit, learning and fun remained the same.

Teams consisted of members either entirely from one county or from multiple counties (composite teams). The teams battled through several rounds of dairy industry-related questions until the final buzzer was pressed and champions were announced. Youth and coaches practiced for several weeks preparing for the contest. A written test was used to determine senior team seedings, and individual scores from both the written test and the contest questions were used to determine high individual placings.

The top ten individuals from the senior division were invited to compete for a spot to represent Michigan at the National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest held during the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. A trio of seniors from Clinton County was named the champion senior team. The team members were Landon Thelen, Willow Evans and Cassidy Harris.

The champion junior team was the team from Washtenaw County, comprised of Evan Weidmayer, Grace Weidmayer, Amelia Harris and Harlee Bristle. The champion novice team was from Clinton County, and those team members were Ellie Fedewa, Molly Smith, Jolene Smith and Kylie Smith.

Overall high individuals in each division were Sophia Nielsen (senior), Grace Weidmayer (junior) and Kylie Smith (novice). The contest was officiated, moderated and judged by dairy industry professionals. Teams and youth are coached by Michigan State University Extension volunteers. Those who are interested in getting involved in Michigan 4-H dairy quiz bowl should contact their local MSU Extension office.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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