Burlington--At the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 20, in Burlington, four 4-H teens earned a spot on the state team that will compete regionally and nationally.

They were among the 38 4-H'ers from eight counties participating in this year's competition, which was held on the University of Vermont (UVM) campus. Eighteen seniors (ages 14-18) competed for a chance to represent Vermont in 4-H quiz bowl competition at Eastern States Exposition in September and the North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest in November.

Selected for the 2022 Vermont Dairy Quiz Bowl Team were Emma Seward, East Wallingford; Lorryn Trujillo, North Clarendon; Rose Tarbell, Middletown Springs; and Liviya Russo, Lunenburg; who came in first, third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Sixth-place finisher, Torrey Hanna of Addison is the alternate.

Elise Sanders of West Topsham, the youngest competitor in the senior division, captured second place. Although recognized for her outstanding effort, she could not be named to the state team because her birthday falls after the cutoff date for eligibility for national competition.

Other seniors finishing in the top 10 were Zach Johnson, Tunbridge (seventh); Elizabeth Waterman, Thetford Center (eighth); Ben Boutin, Williston (ninth); and Brailey Livingston, New Haven (tenth). Patty Bruce, Wallingford, and Morgan White, Whiting, received Honorable Mentions. Natalie Atkins, Lincoln; Michaela Charbonneau, Salisbury; Brendan Gebo, Bristol; Mason Livingston, New Haven; Dylan Slack, Bethel; and Olivia Smith, Lyndonville; also competed in this division.

Quiz bowl consisted of a written test and several buzzer rounds of oral questions with scores from both combined to determine final scores. Questions dealt with calving and diseases, herd management practices, milk production, feeds and forages, dairy products and showing cattle, among other topics.

Up to 10 rosette ribbons were awarded in each age group. Placements were as follows:

  • 12- and 13-year-olds: Wyatt Chambers, Tunbridge (first); Caleb Sprague, East Wallingford (second); Sylvia Johnson, Tunbridge (third); Dani Flint, Bethel (fourth); Leah Rogers, Randolph Center (fifth); Ava Smith, Lyndonville (sixth); Chyanna Stone, Brandon (seventh); Allen Cram, Middlebury (eighth)
  • 10- and 11-year-olds: Austin Washburn, Bethel (first); Natalia Tarbell, Middletown Springs (second); Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier (third); Remington Card, Williston (fourth)
  • 8- and 9 year-olds: Gracie Bromley, Wallingford (first); Patrick Paquet, East Montpelier (second); Annabelle Farr, Richmond (third); Daniel Bruce, Wallingford (fourth); Talon Eugair, Florence (fifth); Gracelynn Barber, Shoreham (sixth); Jazmine Cram, Leicester (seventh); Colt Card, Williston (eighth) 

UVM students who assisted Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, with quiz bowl were Isabella Critchell, Eliza Mabey and Gabrielle Ochs. Adult volunteers included Nicole Charbonneau, Salisbury; Erin Farr, Richmond; Dawn Livingston, New Haven; Bethany Orvis, Middlebury; Jen Thygesen, Tunbridge; Judy Vaughan, Newbury; and 4-H educators Molly McFaun and Martha Seifert.

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