A total of 34 youth competed in the 2026 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional 4-H Dairy Judging Competition.

Cedar Mountain Farm in Hartland hosted the event on Sunday, April 12.

4-H Dairy members ages 8-18 gathered to judge various Jersey cattle, test their knowledge of confirmation and learn about desirable traits from experts in the field. (Cloverbuds — 4-H youth ages 5-7 — were welcome to come and watch, too!)

Results

Beginner (8-10 years old):

1st place: Jessica Morrissey, Windsor County 
2nd place: Hailey Williams, Orange County
3rd place: Hattie Hoyt, Orange County 
4th place: Astrid Schoch, Windsor County
5th place: Darian Morrissey, Windsor County
6th place: Lucy Angell, Orange County
7th place: Willy Manning, Orange County 
8th place: Sarah Williams, Orange County 
9th place: Harley O’Brien, Orange County 
10th place: Landyn Bedell, Windsor County 

Also competed and earned ribbons:

Eleanor Gable, Windsor County
Aubree May, Orange County
Carrie Gabel, Windsor County 
Bryn Fox Fillault, Windsor County
Marian Bingham, Windsor County 
Aurelia Bingham, Windsor County 

Cloverbud Everett Hoyt participated but did not compete due to his age.

Juniors (11-13 years old):

1st place: Eloisa Coelho, Windsor County
2nd place: Amos Riesterer, Orange County
3rd place: Caiden Cote, Windsor County 
4th place: Thomas Williams, Orange County 
5th place: Isabelle La Porte, Orange County
6th place: Isadora McFarland, Windsor County 
7th place: Iris Freitag, Orange County

Many youth stand outside at a farm.
A total of 34 4-H'ers participated. Photo by Molly McFaun.

Seniors (14-18 years old):

1st place: Ashton Perkins, Windsor County
2nd place: John McClain, Orange County 
3rd place: Zoe Rumsey, Windsor County 
4th place: Min Hui Colby, Windsor County
5th place: Jian Colby, Windsor County 
6th place: Anna Freitag, Orange County
7th place: Whitney McClain, Orange County
8th place: Sophie Fors, Orange County 
9th place: Bee Wilbur, Windsor County
10th place: Cedar Eldridge, Orange County 

Thank you to:

  • The Hartland Three Corners Store for donating lunch and snacks.
  • McNamara Dairy from Plainfield New Hampshire for donating milk.
  • Judge Alex Patch, a former 4-H’er and dairy professional from Walhowdon Farm in Lebanon, New Hampshire. 
  • 4-H Leaders Kerry Gawalt of the Hartland Cattle Club, Jen Thygesen of the Clever Clovers and Abbie Williams of Middle Branch for presenting and assisting with the contest. 
  • Many volunteers and parents from the Hartland Cattle Club for helping to make the event run smoothly.
  • The Orange County 4-H Foundation for donating clipboards and 4-H writing implements for all participants.