Tunbridge--Two Tunbridge farms with an interest in sharing their love of dairy animals with 4-H’ers hosted the 2024 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour on April 28.

Two generations of family members on both the Howvale Farm and the Hoyt Hill Farm helped out at the annual event. The classes were judged by Elizabeth Menard, Franklin, and organized by Molly McFaun, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H educator for Orange and Washington Counties with the assistance of Jen Thygesen, Tunbridge. Menard, a Vermont 4-H dairy alum, also worked with the 4-H’ers, helping them to understand the process of judging and improve their knowledge of conformation and desirable traits in various breeds of cattle.

The dairy judging contest was open to all 4-H’ers, ages 8 to 18. Competitors were scored on the Danish system and received a blue, red or white ribbon with only the top scorer in each age group recognized as such.

Results were as follows:

• 8- to 10 year-olds: Blue ribbon and top scorer: Cedar Eldridge, Montpelier. Red ribbons: Louise Anderson, Northfield Falls, Emile Guerlain, South Royalton; Remi Hawkins, Barre
• 11- to 13-year-olds: Blue ribbon and top scorer: Sophia Fors, Bethel. Red ribbons: Amos Riesterer, Bethel, Thomas Williams, Randolph Center
• 14- to 18-year-olds: Blue ribbon and top scorer: Dani Flint, East Bethel. Blue ribbons: Leah Rogers, Randolph Center; Amy Vaughan, Newbury. Red ribbons: Ella McAllister, Morrisville; Bryn Nelson, Ryegate. White ribbons: Sylvia Johnson, John McClain and Whitney McClain, all from Tunbridge

Assisting at the event were Terri Conant and Abbie Williams, both from Randolph Center, and Corinne Cooper, UVM Extension.

Anyone interested in learning more about the 4-H dairy project and other dairy events in central and southeastern Vermont may contact Molly McFaun at (802) 656-4828 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.