For decades, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H has challenged dairy members to demonstrate their knowledge of breeds, calf raising, anatomy and other dairy topics in a fast-paced quiz bowl competition. 2025 was no exception as 56 4-H-ers took part in the March 8 event, the largest turnout in recent years.

The State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl was held on the UVM campus in Burlington and included a written test, followed by two buzzer rounds of oral questions for each age group. Rosette ribbons were awarded to the top 10 finishers in each group. The rest of the competitors each received a blue ribbon.

For the Senior Division (ages 14 to 18), the 11 highest individual scorers, based on combined scores for the first two rounds and written test, were invited to compete in a third and final round of 50 questions. To determine placements, the test score was added to the final-round score.

The top four seniors earned a spot on the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team although some may opt not to compete on the team due to school or other commitments. Final team members will be confirmed later this year, selected from among the top 10 scorers.

Placements were as follows:

Seniors: Bryn Nelson, East Ryegate (first); Taryn Burns, Shoreham (second); Anna Clough, Ryegate (third); Brailey Livingston, New Haven (fourth); Caroline Allen, Vergennes (fifth); Eva Bury (sixth) and Sloan Nelson (seventh), both from Derby; Alexa Graham, Holland (eighth); Bristol Card, Williston (ninth); Lola Rollins, Ferrisburgh (tenth)

Receiving blues were: Patty Bruce, Wallingford; Lydia Clough, Ryegate; Reegan Kelley, Derby;  Emmeline Paquet and Maddie Perry, both from East Montpelier; Emma Pothier, Newport Center; Cameron Rhodes, St. Albans

4-H'ers displaying ribbons
Seventeen 4-H'ers, ages 14 to 18, competed in the Senior Division at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8, in Burlington. Finishing in the Top 10 were: Front row (left to right): Caroline Allen, Vergennes; Brailey Livingston, New Haven; Anna Clough, Ryegate; Taryn Burns, Shoreham; and Bryn Nelson, East Ryegate. Back row: Lola Rollins, Ferrisburgh; Bristol Card, Williston; Alexa Graham, Holland; and Sloan Nelson and Eva Bury, both from Derby. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

12- and 13-year-olds: Tenley Chittenden, Whiting (first); Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier (second); CJ McNeely, Lunenburg (third); Boston Wilbur, Orwell (fourth); Ewan Nelson, East Ryegate (fifth); Mya Marquis, Newport Center (sixth); Renee Plouffe, Bridport (seventh); Gracie Bromley, Wallingford (eighth); Harper Cole-Howrigan, St. Albans (ninth); Remington Card,  Williston (tenth)

Winning blues were: Riley Domina, Fairfield; Camille Plouffe, Bridport

4-H'ers displaying ribbons
Earning the 10 highest individual scores in the 12- and 13-year-old age group at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8 in Burlington, were: Front row (left to right): Ewan Nelson, East Ryegate; Boston Wilbur, Orwell; CJ McNeely, Lunenburg; Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier; and Tenley Chittenden, Whiting. Back row: Remington Card, Williston; Harper Cole-Howrigan, St. Albans; Gracie Bromley, Wallingford; Renee Plouffe, Bridport; and Mya Marquis, Newport Center. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

10- and 11-year-olds: Eli Lidback, Westmore (first); Olivia Tudhope, Orwell (second); Thomas Allen, Vergennes (third); Rowdy Pope, Bridport (fourth); Madison Fuller, Lunenburg (fifth); Sutton Chittenden, Whiting (sixth); Annabelle Farr, Richmond (seventh); Normandie Cesario,  Cornwall (eighth); Colt Card, Williston (ninth); Ella Pope, Shoreham (tenth)

Receiving blue ribbons were Carson Ayer and Scarlett Perry, both from East Montpelier

4-H'ers displaying ribbons
The 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8 in Burlington, attracted a dozen 10- and 11-year-old competitors. Capturing the top 10 placings in the event in this age group were: Front row (left to right): Madison Fuller, Lunenburg; Rowdy Pope, Bridport; Thomas Allen, Vergennes; Olivia Tudhope, Orwell; and Eli Lidback, Westmore. Back row: Ella Pope, Shoreham; Colt Card, Williston; Normandie Cesario,  Cornwall; Annabelle Farr, Richmond; and Sutton Chittenden, Whiting. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

8- and 9-year-olds: Amelia Tudhope, Orwell (first); Nora Plouffe, Bridport (second); Adalie Farr, Richmond (third); Huxton Joyal, Williston (fourth); Adley Machia, Highgate (fifth); Jasper Paquet, East Montpelier (sixth); Leone Plouffe, Bridport (seventh); Ellis Chittenden, Whiting (eighth); Leland Eaton, Lunenburg (ninth); Katelyn Sweet, Highgate Center (tenth)

Receiving blue ribbons: Bentley Domina, Fairfield; Patrick Paquet, East Montpelier; Desiree Plouffe, Bridport; Logan Russell, Alburgh; Ava Smith, Danby

4-H'ers displaying ribbons
University of Vermont Extension 4-H hosted the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl on March 8, which was arranged according to age. Competing in the 8- and 9-year-olds division were: Front row (left to right): Adley Machia, Highgate; Huxton Joyal, Williston; Adalie Farr, Richmond; Nora Plouffe, Bridport; and Amelia Tudhope, Orwell. Back row: Katelyn Sweet, Highgate Center; Leland Eaton, Lunenburg; Ellis Chittenden, Whiting; Leone Plouffe, Bridport; and Jasper Paquet, East Montpelier. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

Assisting quiz bowl organizer Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, were Becky Allen, Vergennes; Emily Buskey and Stephanie Pope, both from Bridport; Adrienne Card, Williston; Erin Farr, Richmond; Joanna Lidback, Barton; Amber Machia, Highgate; Amy Maxham, St. Albans; and Ethan Nelson, East Ryegate.

4-H teen helpers, all past members of a State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team, were Torrey Hanna, Addison; Liviya Russo, Lunenburg; and Amy Vaughan, Newbury. Amy and Torrey were members of the 2023 team and Liviya in 2022. Thomas Allen, Vergennes, was a youth helper as well as a quiz bowl participant.

To learn more about the 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.