4-H youth from across Minnesota showcased their learning in the 4-H Building at the Minnesota State Fair, with over 160 demonstrations delivered and over 1,900 general exhibits on display. In a continuation of the virtual state showcase format developed in 2020, over 140 of the exhibits were judged virtually this year.

Throughout the year, 4-H youth select project areas that reflect personal areas of interest and pursue hands-on learning in both self-directed and guided environments. The results of their learning are exhibited at county fairs and other showcase events across the state. A collection of the best exhibits from each fair and showcase are brought to the 4-H Building at the Minnesota State Fair.

Not only do youth get to display their projects at the state fair and deliver public presentations, this showcase is also a learning experience. Youth participate in conference judging with project experts, learning from both adults and other youth with similar interests. 

Becker County had 49 youth participating in the following areas 

State Fair Livestock, Placing, Club

Addison Aho, Dairy, Blue Reserve Champ, Wolf Lake Woodchucks

Haylee Aho, Dairy, Blue, Wolf Lake Woodchucks

Lydia Aho, Dairy, Purple, Wolf Lake Woodchucks

Silas Aho, Dairy, Blue, Wolf Lake Woodchucks

Tate Bjerke, Beef, 5th, Franklin

Rayna Fudge, Sheep, Green, Wild Things

Levi Haugrud, Rabbit, Purple, Franklin

Lilly Haugrud, Rabbit, Blue, Franklin

Piper Hembre, Rabbit, Blue, Happy Hillside

Melanie Honer, Rabbit, Blue, Happy Hillside

Abigail Kelly, Swine, Purple 6th, Franklin

Allison Kelly, Swine, Purple 4th, Franklin

Austin Kelly, Beef, 5th Franklin

Alexndra Mattson, Swine, 5th, Franklin

Colt Mattson, Swine, 5th, Franklin

Alydia Mitchell, Meat Goat, Purple 4th, Happy Hillside

Brady Mitchell, Beef, 4th, Happy Hillside

Janaya Mitchell, Sheep, 1st Reserve Champ, Happy Hillside

Mya Moore, Beef, 4th, Wild Things

Morgan Mouw, Sheep, 2nd, Happy Hillside

Annabelle Myllykangas, Beef, 7th, Height of Land 69’ers

Emily Myllykangas, Beef, 7th, Height of Land 69’ers

Blake Myllykangas, Beef, 5th, Height of Land 69’ers

Maddie Nordby, Sheep, 5th, Happy Hillside

Gracie Olson, Beef, 9th, Franklin

Maks Olson, Beef, 4th, Franklin

Paisley Schauer, Beef, Purple 2nd, Franklin

Avery Schlauderaff, Beef, 7th, Happy Hillside

Elsie Schlauderaff, Dairy, Blue, Happy Hillside

Hayden Schlauderaff, Dairy, Blue, Happy Hillside

Hudson Schlauderaff, Beef, 8th, Happy Hillside

Jaston Schlauderaff, Dairy, Red, Happy Hillside

Keira Schlauderaff, Dairy, Blue, Happy Hillside

Lydia Schlauderaff, Sheep, Green, Happy Hillside

Maya Schlauderaff, Dairy, Purple, Happy Hillside

Benet Sonnenberg, Poultry, Blue,Wild Things

Bowde Sonnenberg, Beef, White 3rd, Wild Things

Shawndra St Germain, Rabbit, Purple, Burlington Cubs

Zoey St Germain, Rabbit, Purple, Burlington Cubs

Zoey St Germain Rabbit Poster, Blue, Burlington Cubs

Amber Trautman, Dairy Goat, 9th, Burlington Cubs

Amber Trautman, Livestock Demo, Red, Burlington Cubs

Elizabeth Ullmer, Poultry, Blue, Busy Bees

(*Livestock participants: Numerical Ribbon System Used)

State Fair 

Livestock Showmanship

Zoey St Germain, Rabbit, Finalist Blue, Burlington Cubs

Janaya Mitchell, Sheep, Purple Reserve Champion, Happy Hillside

State Fair 4-H Club 

Banners

Height of Land 69’ers – Blue

Wild Things – Red

State Fair General 

Projects, Placing, Club

Kellin Ashmore, Self Determined, Blue, Cloverdale

Joshua Dobrzynski, Performing Arts, Blue, Busy Bees

Macey Engel, Quilting, Blue, Height of Land 69’ers

Tali Gilbertson, Exploring Animals, Blue, Cloverdale

Dante Goering, Performing Arts, Blue, Busy Bees

Magdalena Goering, Performing Arts, Blue, Busy Bees

Elijah Jacobson, Creative Writing, Blue, Busy Bees

Elias Okeson, Ind Tech-Woodworking, Blue, Cloverdale

Elliana Okeson, Exploring Animals, Blue, Cloverdale

Josiah Okeson, Wildlife Biology & Mgmt, Blue, Cloverdale

Amber Trautman, Self Determined, Blue, Burlington Cubs

4-H prepares youth for their future, helping them become beyond ready for life and their future careers. Next year’s state fair will welcome youth from across Minnesota to a renovated 4-H Building, showcasing their learning in an updated environment while providing more opportunities for youth to learn during the fair itself. 

Congratulations to all the Becker County youth who participated in 4-H at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.