Illinois 4-H members demonstrated their poultry evaluation skills 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 contest gives youth hands-on experience in evaluating poultry and eggs using industry standards. Participants build knowledge in quality, safety, and nutrition—key components of a safe and reliable food system—while developing observation and decision-making skills. The event is part of broader efforts by the University of Illinois to contribute to economic and societal progress through education and research, according to the official website.
“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 (DeWitt County), Weston Goebel (Jasper County), Kylie Kocher (Richland County), Arabella Baumann (McLean County), and Owen Kocher (Richland County). Junior individual winners were Brandon Wier and Gavin Grenier (both DuPage County), Titan Clark (Washington County), Ciara Schlenz (Bureau County), and Brennan Walsh (Kankakee County). In team results for seniors, Richland County’s teams took first and second place while Jasper County finished 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 ages 14 to 18 as of January 1 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.”
The University of Illinois serves as both a flagship campus within its system as well as a public research institution situated in Urbana-Champaign. It enrolls students from all states across America along with over one hundred countries worldwide while offering more than one hundred fifty undergraduate programs plus over one hundred graduate options; it aims to advance discovery, innovation, public engagement through research according to its official website.
