The 2026 Jasper County 4-H Fair concluded with recognition of outstanding exhibitors in livestock, general projects, and the announcement of members selected to represent Jasper County at the Illinois State Fair.
Miscellaneous Livestock Awards
Several exhibitors were recognized for excellence in livestock care and production throughout the fair.
Clean Pen Awards
- Beef: Eva Warfel
- Sheep: Gavin Semple
- Goat: Bailey Kistner
- Swine: Ellie & Max Ochs
- Dairy: Andrew, Kate & Kimberly Bierman
Additional livestock honors included:
- Champion Carcass: Blake Hermann
- Beef Rate of Gain: Katie Bierman
General Show Best of Show Winners
Top honors in the General Show recognized outstanding work across a wide variety of project areas.
- Foods – Beginner: Briana Zwilling (Cooking 201)
- Foods – Advanced: Avery Ochs (Cooking 301 – Sweet Rolls)
- Conservation/Horticulture: Josie Vogt (Vegetable/Fruit Display)
- Clothing: Lily Ochs (Sewing 1 – Non Clothing)
- Personal Development: Cletus Zumbahlen (Poetry)
- Engineering: James Bierman (Robotics – Junk Drawer)
- Woodworking – Beginning: Jenna Hall (Woodworking 2)
- Woodworking – Advanced: Jailyn Hall (Woodworking 3)
- Visual Arts: Riley Rauch (Paper 3D)
- Visual Arts: Josie Vogt (Nature)
- Visual Arts: Bailey Kistner (Quilting)
- Photography: Allison Brummer (Photography 2)
- Welding: Tommy Jane
Illinois State Fair Delegates
The following 4-H members earned the opportunity to exhibit their projects at the 2026 Illinois State Fair:
Clothing
- Lily Ochs
Foods & Nutrition
- Avery Ochs
- Briana Zwilling
- Alayna Lingafelter (Jams)
- Emmalin Finley
- Heather Bergbower
- Collin Kistner
- Chlora Bergbower
Horticulture – Floriculture
- Emma Bergbower
- Nya Schulte
- Josie Vogt
Photography
- Allison Brummer
- Joslynn Pitcher
- Heather Bergbower
Horticulture – Vegetable Gardening
- Josie Vogt
- Kohlten Barthelme
Nature – Fishing/Wildlife
- James Bierman
- Lane Vogt
Veterinary Science
- Emma Bergbower
- Michael Shamhart
Visual Arts
- Bailey Kistner
- Maci Helmick
- Josie Vogt
- Ella Probst
Woodworking
- Jailyn Hall
- Jenna Hall
Weather
- Tretyn Hall
Natural Resources & Outdoor Adventure
- Carolyn Deeken
Forestry
- Cletus Zumbahlen
Family Heritage
- Lily Ochs
Creative Writing
- Cletus Zumbahlen
Illinois State Fair Alternates
Several members were also selected as alternates should additional openings become available:
- Jenna Hall – Foods/Nutrition
- Nora Kistner – Foods/Nutrition
- Karlee Pitcher – Foods/Nutrition
- Alayna Lingafelter – Foods/Nutrition
- Nathan Lidy – Photography
- Caleb Kistner – Photography
- Brooke Lidy – Visual Arts
- Bailey Kistner – Visual Arts
- Luke Faller – Nature: Sportfishing/Wildlife
- Logan Vogt – Woodworking
- Levi Salyers – Woodworking
- Logan Vogt – Horticulture: Vegetable Gardening
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Jasper County 4-H members whose hard work, creativity, and dedication were recognized throughout this year’s fair. Best of luck to those advancing to represent Jasper County at the Illinois State Fair.
