COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2025 State 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Day on June 14 at the MU Animal Science Research Center. Sixty-six 4-H youths from around the state participated in activities focused on poultry and rabbits, said Kelsey Fuller, state 4-H agriculture educator.

Participants competed in Poultry Judging Contests, Poultry Quiz Bowl, Rabbit Judging Contest, Photo Contests, Rabbit Knowledge Test, Rabbit Breed ID and a Dozen Egg Contest.

The State 4-H Poultry Day provides youths with hands-on experience in cutting- edge industry practices as well as basic knowledge to help them succeed in their projects, Fuller said. Youths gained skills in grading eggs and poultry carcasses, identifying poultry parts and selecting quality live poultry, all while networking with youth from around the state who shared similar interests, she said.

New in 2025 was the State Rabbit Day, which featured a judging contest with four evaluation classes, breed identification and a knowledge test. Educational workshops covered showmanship techniques, establishing a meat pen and the basics of starting a rabbit project, Fuller said.

Top overall junior poultry judging competitors

1. Cooper Stratton, Jasper County
2. Riley Branson, Callaway County
3. Nora Glassman, Lawrence County
4. Payton Duwe, Lawrence County
5. Layten Prewitt, Lawrence County
6. Micah Birt, Montgomery County
7. Jessa Berry, Phelps County
8. Aria Duwe, Lawrence County
9. Judd Lawson, Cedar County
10. Ezra Birt, Montgomery County

Top ages 8-10 in junior poultry judging

1. Nora Glassman, Lawrence County
2. Jessa Berry, Phelps County
3. Aria Duwe, Lawrence County
4. Ezra Birt, Montgomery County
5. Lakota Prewitt, Lawrence County
6. Georgia Bents, Johnson County
7. Hazel Hawks, Phelps County
8. Avery Ferrell, Phelps County
9. Ellie Stratton, Jasper County
10. Kavi Buchanan, St. Louis City
11. Morgan Kroes, Macon County

Top overall senior poultry judging competitors

1. Lance Jacobs, Harrison County
2. Kaitlyn Murphy, Callaway County
3. Sadie Jackson, Scotland County
4. Carter Chidster, Lincoln County
5. Morgan Jackson, Scotland County
6. Asher Ahrens, Cape Girardeau County
7. Eleanor Butler, Lincoln County
8. Madzy Suess, Cole County
9. Makennah Lavy, Lincoln County
10. Rebecca Miller, Maries County

Top overall junior rabbit judging competitors

1. Carleigh Wilson, Johnson County
2. Addison Anderson, Phelps County
3. Eleanor Lefebvre, Johnson County
4. Conrad Schulte, Osage County
5. Evelyn Burkitt, St. Charles County
6. Avery Ferrell, Phelps County
7. Adeline Lefebvre, Johnson County
8. Kyler Miller, Maries County
9. Blake Steen, Osage County
10. Bricen Vogel, Saline County

Top ages 8-10 in junior rabbit judging

1. Addison Anderson, Phelps County
2. Evelyn Burkitt, St. Charles County
3. Avery Ferrell, Phelps County
4. Rosalie Buck, Lincoln County

Top overall senior rabbit judging competitors

1. Mia Swackhammer, St. Charles County
2. Bailee Vogel, Saline County
3. Carissa Stong, Vernon County
4. Jenna Higgins, St. Charles County
5. Lance Jacobs, Harrison County
6. Kathryn Farmer, Caldwell County
7. Kerrianne Farmer, Caldwell County
8. Adelina Ortega Tso, St. Charles County

Poultry photo contest

1. Genevieve Davidson, Caldwell County
2. Judd Lawson, Cedar County
3. Ellie Stratton, Jasper County

Rabbit photo contest

1. Rosalie Buck, Lincoln County
2. Blake Steen, Osage County
3. Jenna Miller, Linn County

Top competitors in the dozen egg contest: Cooper Stratton, Jasper County; Judd Lawson, Cedar County; and Genevieve Davidson, Caldwell County.

Top individuals in the rabbit ID contest: Eleanor Lefebvre, Johnson County; Jenna Higgins, St. Charles County; Bailee Vogel, Saline County.

Top individuals in the rabbit knowledge test: Jenna Higgins, St. Charles County; Eleanor Lefebvre, Johnson County; Kathryn Farmer, Caldwell County.

Top junior quiz bowl team members: Cooper Stratton, Ellie Stratton, Judd Lawson.

Top senior quiz bowl team members: Makennah Lavy, Zoey Martin, Haylee Nordwald, Lance Jacobs.

Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Agriculture programs was provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with BTC Bank, FCS Financial, MFA Foundation, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Smithfield Hog Production and the Hertzog Family.

About Missouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. With a blend of time-tested traditions and innovative hands-on learning, Missouri youth explore and find their spark in programs ranging from agriculture and conservation to aerospace and career development. Through clubs, programs, camps, in-school and after-school experiences, University of Missouri Extension faculty, staff and thousands of volunteers guide youth in developing essential skills, building confidence and fostering connections. Together, they inspire young people to make a real difference in their communities, their country and the world. To learn more about Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.

Photos

4-H Rabbit Day
Youths evaluate a class of rabbits at the 2025 State 4-H Rabbit Day.

Top 3 Rabbit Seniors
Top 3 Rabbit Seniors, from left: Bailee Vogel, Saline County; Carissa Stong, Vernon County; and Mia Swackhammer, St. Charles County.

Top 3 Poultry Seniors
Top 3 Poultry Seniors, from left: Sadie Jackson, Scotland County; Kaitlyn Murphy, Callaway County; and Lance Jacobs, Harrison County.