ALBANY – Hillside Homestead, a 50-cow dairy in Albany, was a busy place on June 15 as 4-H’ers gathered for the 2024 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.
Owners Chet and Renee Baker hosted the competition, providing dairy animals for the judging classes as well as T-shirts for all participants and snacks and milk, which were served by adult volunteer Peggy Kelley of Derby.
The 24 4-H members, competing by age group, judged two heifer and four cow classes with their scores for each class combined for an overall score and ranking. In addition, senior competitors, ages 14 to 18, provided oral reasons for two classes. Elizabeth Menard, Fairfield, served as the official judge.
University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H, which sponsored the event, provided rosette ribbons for the Top 10 scorers in each age group along with a 4-H backpack for each first-place finisher. Animals for each class were led out and handled by Jared Birch, Coventry; Olyvia Fortin, Morgan; Reegan Kelley, Derby; and Ava LaBlanc, Irasburg. Jared, Olyvia and Reegan are all former Vermont 4-H dairy members.
Thirteen 4-H teens competed in the senior age group, vying for a spot on the State 4-H Dairy Judging team, which will be selected at a later date. Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick, placed third.
Other placements included local 4-Her Steven Werner, Stannard (ninth).
Placements for local 12- and 13-year-olds included Talon Michaud, Greensboro (second) and Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (third).
