Thirteen 4-H dairy members competed in the 2025 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour on April 27.

Judging took place at two Randolph Center organic dairy farms: Silloway Farms (John and Bethany Silloway) and Pineville Farm (Dean and Terri Conant). Jeff Lester, North Ferrisburgh, judged the event, which was organized by University of Vermont Extension 4-H Educator Molly McFaun with the help of members of the Middle Branch 4-H Club of Randolph Center.

Adult volunteers Jen Thygesen, Tunbridge, and Abbie Williams, Randolph Center, and 4-H teen Dani Flint, Bethel, also assisted with the event. Lunch was provided for participants by the Orange County 4-H Foundation.

Results were as follows:

  • Beginners (ages 8-10): Claire Washburn, Bethel (first); and Lucy Angell (second); Hailey Williams (third); Conner Hoyt (fourth); Emmett Hoyt (fifth); and Emile Guerlain (sixth), all from South Royalton; Hattie Hoyt, Tunbridge (seventh); Charlotte Myer, Barre (eighth)
  • Juniors (ages 11-13): Sophie Fors, Bethel (first); Thomas Williams, Randolph Center (second); Amos Riesterer, Bethel (third)
  • Seniors (ages 14-18): Austin Washburn, Bethel (first); Whitney McClain, Tunbridge (second)
  • Josie Hoyt, a 4-H Cloverbud from South Royalton, also took part in the Beginner Division, but just for the experience as she was too young to compete.
a group of 4-h'ers in a barn with cows
4-H dairy members who competed in the Beginners Division at the 2025 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour on April 27 in Randolph Center were:  Front row (left to right): Lucy Angell, South Royalton; 4-H Cloverbud Josie Hoyt and Hattie Hoyt, Tunbridge. Back Row: Hailey Williams, South Royalton; Claire Washburn, Bethel; and Emmet Hoyt, Conner Hoyt, and Emile Guerlain, all from South Royalton. Missing from photo: Charlotte Myer, Barre. (photo: Abbie Williams)
3 4-h'ers in a barn with cows
Competing in the Junior Division at the 2025 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour, April 27 in Randolph Center, were (left to right) Sophie Fors, Bethel; Thomas Williams, Randolph Center; and Amos Riesterer, Bethel. (photo: Abbie Williams)
a group of 4-h'ers in a barn with cows
Members of the Middle Branch 4-H Club helped organize, and took part in, the 2025 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour on April 27 in Randolph Center. They were: Front row (left to right): Lucy Angell, South Royalton, and Amos Riesterer, Bethel. Middle row: Thomas Williams, Randolph Center; and Claire Washburn, Sophie Fors and Austin Washburn, all from Bethel. Back row: Hailey Williams, South Royalton; and Dani Flint, Bethel. (photo: Abbie Williams)
2 4-h'ers in a barn
Two Tunbridge 4-H’ers Whitney McClain (left) and Hattie Hoyt were among the 13 4-H’ers who gathered in Randolph Center on April 27 to take part in the 2025 Central and Southeastern Vermont Regional Dairy Judging Tour. (photo: Jen Thygesen)

To learn more about the 4-H dairy project and other dairy events in central and southeastern Vermont, contact McFaun at (802) 656-4820 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.