Eight area FFA & 4-H'ers to participate in the Best of the Best Showdown

        Eight Poweshiek County 4-H and FFA Grand Champion winners will participate in the 2024 Best of the Best on Saturday, July 27 at the Iowa County Fairgrounds in Marengo. Introductions get underway at 10 a.m. with the show following at 11 a.m. Pictured, from left, front row: Emma Norman, Champion Market Beef; Dayton Mortvedt, Champion Breeding Doe; Anthony Wolfe, Champion Breeding Gilt. Back row: Rhylee Rodgers, Champion Market Hog; Rylie Smith, Champion Breeding Beef; Hailey Heishman, Champion Market Goat; Kaylia Fuch, Champion Breeding Ewe; and Anna Slagle, Champion Market Lamb. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker
 
         Poweshiek County will be well represented at the 2024 Best of the Best competition on Saturday, July 27 at the Iowa County Fairgrounds in Marengo.
       Eight area 4-H and FFA Grand Champion winners in swine, meat goat, beef and sheep from the 2024 Poweshiek County Fair will go against champions from Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Scott and Tama counties.
     Grand introductions start at 10 a.m. with the show immediately following at 11 a.m. Show order – Breeding Heifers, Breeding Goats, Breeding Gilts, Breeding Sheep, Market Goats, Market Hogs, Market Lambs and Market Beef.
          The Best of the Best was started in 2016 by Rob and Mary Vetech of Marengo, who direct the event and serve on the showdown committee.
        “The whole goal for this is to keep the county fairs relevant,” said Mary. “Our young people have lots of choice of activities and the Best of the Best keeps them motivated to participate in county fairs.”
          All 13 counties that participate in the Best of the Best have a member on the event committee.
        “Together, we (the Best of the Best committee) organize and rally troops and keep our young people a priority.”
      There are 10 regional showdowns across the state of Iowa and the Best of the Best is the largest showdown in the state.
       “Out of our 13 counties, our grand champions from the Best of the Best will compete in the All-Iowa Showdown in Oskaloosa on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds,” noted Mary.  
          The Iowa County Fairgrounds is located at 800 East Marion St., Marengo.
          Representing Poweshiek County are:
Swine
          Rhylee Rodgers, Grand Champion Market Hog, Sheridan 4-H Club.
          Anthony Wolfe, Supreme Champion Breeding Gilt, Sheridan 4-H Club.
Sheep
          Anna Slagle, Grand Champion Market Lamb, Sheridan 4-H Club.
          Dayton Mortvedt, Grand Champion Breeding Doe, Sugar Creek 4-H Club.
Beef
          Rylie Smith, Grand Champion Supreme Breeding Female, Sheridan 4-H Club.
          Emma Norman, Grand Champion Market Beef, Sugar Creek 4-H
Meat Goat 
          Kaylia Fuch, Grand Champion Breeding Ewe, Poweshiek Pioneers 4-H Club.
          Hailey Heishmann, Grand Champion Market Goat, HLV FFA.