The National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest is held in Louisville, Ky., each year during the North American International Livestock Exposition. The contest began in 1980 and had 14 teams compete this year, from as far west as Washington to as far east as Vermont, and as far south as Mississippi.
The New York 4-H team consisted of three young men from across New York state. Typically, a team consists of four members, but this trio was solid, earning bonuses for all three team members correctly answering questions. They consistently dominated teams as they marched undefeated into the finals.
The Empire State had defeated Wisconsin earlier in the morning, and the Badger State worked their way back through the consolation bracket to join New York for a finals replay in their sixth match of the day. Both teams were active on the buzzers, but New York emerged as the winner, making it seven national championships in the past 10 years. Team members included Nathan Foss, William Andrew, and Dayne Jantzi. The team is coached by Debbie Grusenmeyer and Matthew Young.
Wisconsin took the reserve title. Team members included team captain Jacob Harbaugh, Logan Harbaugh, Sydney Gwidt, and Claire Betley. They represent Shawano County in Wisconsin and are coached by Heather Jauquet and Sara Harbaugh. They were followed by Vermont 4-H and Minnesota 4-H. Honorable Mention went to east coast neighbors Pennsylvania 4-H and Maryland 4-H.
The contest is coordinated by Donna Amaral-Phillips, University of Kentucky; Jill Davidson, Diamond V; Tamilee Adolph, ADM Animal Nutrition; and Jackie Boerman, Purdue University. Corporate sponsors include ADM Nutrition, American Dairy Science Association, Diamond V, National Dairy Shrine, North American International Livestock Exposition, Select Sires, and the W.D. Hoard & Sons Company.
The author is the online media manager and is responsible for the website, webinars, podcasts, and social media. A graduate of Modesto Junior College and Fresno State, she was raised on a California dairy and blogs on youth programs and consumer issues.
