Illinois 4-H members showcased their poultry evaluation abilities during the 2026 Illinois 4-H Poultry Judging Contest held April 28 on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, according to a May 5 announcement.
The annual event gives youth practical experience in evaluating poultry and eggs based on industry standards. Organizers say participants gain knowledge in quality, safety, and nutrition while improving observation and decision-making skills. These experiences are considered important for building a safe and reliable food system.
“This contest gives youth the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting,” said Myla Munro, 4-H youth development educator and contest coordinator. “They’re not only evaluating poultry and eggs, but they’re also building confidence, sharpening critical thinking, and gaining a deeper understanding of the food systems they’re part of.”
Senior division winners included Lydia Worsham of DeWitt County (first), Weston Goebel of Jasper County (second), Kylie Kocher of Richland County (third), Arabella Baumann of McLean County (fourth), and Owen Kocher of Richland County (fifth). Junior division winners were Brandon Wier (first) and Gavin Grenier (second) from DuPage County; Titan Clark from Washington County placed third; Ciara Schlenz from Bureau County was fourth; Brennan Walsh from Kankakee County finished fifth. In senior team results, Richland County teams took first and second place with Jasper County’s team placing third.
The four highest-scoring senior members will represent Illinois at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky this November. Senior participants are defined as those ages 14 to 18 as of January first this year.
“This contest continues to grow thanks to the dedication of our county programs and the support youth receive at the local level,” Munro said. “We’re especially grateful to Dr. Ken Koelkebeck for his long-standing commitment to this event and the meaningful role he plays in creating a high-quality experience for our youth.”
Illinois 4-H is operated by University of Illinois Extension through its College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The University functions as a public research institution located in Urbana-Champaign that serves as the flagship campus for its system, enrolling students from all states across more than two hundred academic programs while aiming to advance discovery through research according to the official website.
