2025 Berks County 4-H Dairy Recognition

Recognition of the Berks County 4-H Dairy Club Members' 2025 participation and achievements were highlighted during the recent 4-H Dairy Recognition at the Berks County Agricultural Center.

The Charles D. Care Memorial Rookie Award is presented to a first- or second-year member from each dairy club for being a "Rookie" of the year. Each club nominates a member who attends club meetings, participates in projects, helps out at the fair with good housekeeping, and participates in showmanship and fitting. This year, the clubs' "Rookies" were: Leah Hauseman from the Eastern Berks 4-H Dairy Club and Wade Gehringer from the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club. The overall county Charles D. Care Rookie of the Year was Leah Hauseman.

The Joyce Miller 4-H Career Advancement Award was awarded to Wyatt Koller of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club. The Joyce Miller Award recognizes an outstanding Berks County 4-H dairy club member for their leadership experiences, participation in club and county events, and community service. They receive an award to be used for higher education, career training, or career investment. Wyatt has been a 4-H member for the past 10 years. He has served as the club president, representative to the 4-H Dairy Council, and a teen leader. Wyatt attended the IGNITE 4-H Conference, which focused on Agriscience. Wyatt credits his role as club president of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club for helping him with his public speaking skills.

The 4-H members keep records on their cattle all year long and complete a project book to show what they do with their animals. These books are judged, and the top 3 in each age grouping are recognized. The 4-H Dairy Project Books were judged by George Dietrich, FFA Advisor from Oley Valley High School. The winners were: 8-9 Year-Olds 1^st place Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks; 2^nd place Easton Sattazahn, Northwestern Berks; 3^rd place Grant Hoover, Eastern Berks; 10-12 Year-Olds 1^st place Ashtyn Gehringer, Northwestern Berks; 2^nd place Elaina Fox, Northwestern Berks; 3^rd place Andrea Hix, Northwestern Berks; 13-15 Year-Olds 1^st place Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks; 2^nd place Abby Kline, Eastern Berks; 3^rd place Libby Lehner, Northwestern Berks; 16-18 Year-Olds 1^st place Phoebe Stutzman, Northwestern Berks; 2^nd place Danica Rhoads, Northwestern Berks; 3^rd place Zander Brown, Northwestern Berks.

Officer book awards were presented to: Secretary Book – Wyatt Lehner, Northwestern Berks; Treasurer Book – Kaelynn Mertz, Eastern Berks; Club Scrapbook – Eastern Berks 4-H Club.

The Overall 4-H Showmanship Awards. The winners were: Junior Showmanship, Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks; Intermediate Showmanship, Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks; Senior Showmanship, Danica Rhoads, Northwestern Berks

Rebecca Berger, Alexa Davis, and Katelyn Heckman graduated from the 4-H program this past year. They were recognized and given a small token of appreciation for their contributions to the Berks County 4-H Dairy Program. Three new 4-H members joined the dairy clubs this past year. They were recognized and given a welcome gift. They were Wade Gehringer, Grant Hoover, and Abby Kline.

4-H members were also recognized for their participation in the 2025 Penn State Spring Dairy Judging Contest, the 2025 PA 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest, the 2025 PA 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, 2025 PA Junior Dairy Show, the 2025 All-American Dairy Showmanship Contest, and the 2025 NAILE 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.

4-H Dairy Club Volunteers were also recognized for their dedication to the 4-H dairy program. Andrea Grumbine, Brandon Grumbine, Elizabeth Keller, and Morgan Kamp were recognized as 5-year volunteers in their respective dairy clubs. Angela Davis was recognized as a 15-year volunteer in Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club, and Linda Youse was recognized as a 38-year volunteer in the Eastern Berks 4-H Dairy Club.

Following the recognition program, Brinley Hess, Berks County Dairy Princess, and Jordie Kelschner, Berks County Lil' Miss Dairy Princess, led a dairy bingo game. Following the game, the Berks County 4-H Dairy Judging Team, consisting of Alexa and Connor Servin and Wyatt Lehner, presented a PowerPoint on their experience of competing at the North American International Livestock Expo 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Louisville, KY.

Program participants included: Master of Ceremonies – Rebecca Berger and Katelyn Heckman; Pledges and invocation were led by Alexa Davis; Milk Toast was given by Brinley Hess, Berks County Dairy Princess.

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through nonformal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website.