MONROE — The 13th annual Green County Master Showman Competition was held July 21 at the 2018 Green County Fair with Dan Ziegler, agriculture and FFA advisor from New Glarus, as master of ceremonies.
The 2018 Green County Fair Master Showman was awarded to Abby Bethke, Cheese Country Clovers 4-H. Rachel McCullough, Juda Jolly Juniors 4-H, was named Reserve Master Showman.
This event brings in the top senior showmen from grades 10 and above in the dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits and poultry departments at the fair. Two youth from dairy, beef, sheep, swine and goats are invited to participate, and one youth is selected from the rabbit and poultry divisions.
During the event, 12 members from their respective 4-H clubs and FFA chapters showed each animal species in a round-robin format. Youth were judged by qualified showmanship judges from the surrounding communities. After six rotations of the event, the scores were tallied and the member with the highest score earned the title of Green County Fair Master Showman.
The 2018 Master Showman participants were: Connor Nafzger, Clarno 4-H; Jacen Wilinski, New Glarus FFA; Madison Katzenberger, Young Americans 4-H; Aspen Bader, Young Americans 4-H; Abby Klahn, Oregon FFA; Maddy Huschitt, Blackhawk FFA; Karli Sutherland, Decatur 4-H; Kyle Brugger, Monroe FFA; Samantha Holmstrom, Pecatonica FFA; Cole Mahlkuch, Juda Jolly Juniors 4-H; Bethke and McCullough.
Showmanship judges included: swine, Kayla Klitzman, Brooklyn; rabbits, Cathy Wendtland, Clinton; beef, Tyler Witt, Browntown; goats, Hannah Shilts, Evansville; dairy, Elizabeth Kempel, Brodhead; sheep, Tjark Sattler, Brodhead; and poultry, Katie Lux, Janesville.
The top 10 participants received medallions and T-shirts for being a qualifier in the event while the Reserve Champion winner received a plaque. The overall winner received a plaque as well as an embroidered fleece jacket. Green County UW-Extension coordinated the competition with sponsorship from Compeer Financial, Union Bank and Trust, Colony Brands and the Green County Farm Bureau.
For more information about the Master Showman Competition, contact4-H youth development educator Ellen Andrews at 328-9440.