(SEDALIA, Mo.) — The Missouri State Fair celebrated youth in agriculture on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Best of Missouri Awards and Sale was a highlight of the Fair. This sale raised more than $113,000 for Youth in Agriculture.
The Grand Champion Youth Ham was exhibited by Addison Bradley of Eldon, MO. Addison is the daughter of Tony and Jennifer Bradley and is a member of the School of the Osage FFA Chapter. Her ham sold for $8,000 and was purchased by USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce, Fordyce Farms, and Missouri State Fair Commissioner Byron Roach, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Bacon was exhibited by Madelynn Charlton of Bowling Green, MO. Madelynn is the daughter of Kenneth and Kimberly Charlton and is a member of the Peppy Circle 4-H Club. Her bacon sold for $7,600 and was purchased by Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council Brought to You by the Missouri Soybean Farmers and Their Checkoff, and Mike Deering for Senate, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Beef Carcass was exhibited by Larissa Larrick of Shelbina, MO. Larissa is the daughter of Tim and Michelle Larrick and is a member of the South Shelby FFA Chapter. Her beef carcass sold for $9,250 and was purchased by the Heartland Packing/American Food Group, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Barrow Carcass was exhibited by Harper Wolf of Chillicothe, MO. Harper is the daughter of Neal and Brooke Wolf and is a member of the Livingston 4-H Club. Her barrow carcass sold for $11,250 and was purchased by the Missouri Pork Producers, Zac and Bailey Abell, Don’s Towing, and BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Lamb Carcass was exhibited by Denver Ernst of Woodburn, MO. Denver is the daughter of Noll and Jolynn Ernst and is a member of the Blue Ribbon Bandits 4-H Club. Her lamb carcass sold for $11,500 and was purchased by the Sheep Merchandising Council, Missouri Southern Seed, and BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Meat Goat Carcass was exhibited by Noah Williams of Palmyra, MO. Noah is the son of Tony and Kristen Williams and is a member of the Palmyra FFA Chapter. His goat carcass sold for $8,400 and was purchased by Chuck & Christi Miller, Walt Group, Global Group, and MFA Oil, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Ham was exhibited by Carsyn Petree of Tipton, MO. Carsyn is the daughter of Garret Petree and Shonda Koechner and is a member of the Tipton FFA Chapter. Her ham sold for $5,200 and was purchased by BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Bacon was exhibited by Kierstyn Lawson of California, MO. Kierstyn is the daughter of Jason and Stephanie Lawson and is a member of the California FFA Chapter. Her bacon sold for $5,100 and was purchased by BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Beef Carcass was exhibited by Luke Warfield of Butler, MO. Luke is the grandson of David and Sherry Warfield and is a member of the Bates County 4-H Club. His beef carcass sold for $8,000 and was purchased by Bid on Beef – Wes Tiemann, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Barrow Carcass was exhibited by Luke Canale of California, MO. Luke is the nephew of John and Jullie Bolinger and is a member of the California FFA Chapter. His barrow carcass sold for $6,700 and was purchased by Walnut Hill and BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Lamb Carcass was exhibited by Madison Rapp of Boonville, MO. Madison is the daughter of Justin and Stacy Rapp and is a member of the Family Fun 4-H Club. Her lamb carcass sold for $6,500 and was purchased by the Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore and MFA Oil, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Meat Goat Carcass was exhibited by Carson Jackson of Downing, MO. Carson is the son of Kade and Chelsea Jackson and is a member of the Downing 4-H Club. His goat carcass sold for $9,400 and was purchased by Mizzou Meat Market, Walt Group, and Global Group, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Two award-winning baskets of Missouri Grown Products were donated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Grown Program and sold in custom wood boxes made by former Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. The proceeds of the Missouri Grown boxes will go to the Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund. Box one was purchased by the Friends of the Missouri Farm Bureau for $2,750 and the other was purchased by Bid on Beef – Wes Tiemann for $3,000.
Two award-winning wine collections were donated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Wine and Grape Board and sold in custom wood boxes made by former Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. The proceeds of the wine boxes will go to the Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund. The Best of Class Missouri Wine Collection features 14 bottles of award-winning wine and was purchased by Roberts, Wooten and Zimmer LLC for $2,000. The Governor’s Cup Wine Case with a bottle signed by Governor Mike Kehoe, featuring Adam Puchta 2025 Dry Vignoles, was purchased by Bid on Beef – Wes Tiemann for $2,000.
The Best of Class Cheeses were awarded to Terrell Creek Farm and were sold in a custom wood box made by former Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe. The award-winning collection of Missouri State Fair Best of Class Cheeses was purchased by Charlie Rosenkrans for $5,200. The proceeds of the Best of Class Cheese Collection will go to the Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund.
The inside back cover of the 2026 edition of the Sale of Champions and Best of Missouri Sale Yearbook was purchased by Dr. Curtis Long of Briarwood Angus for $1,100.
Chuck Miller, Superintendent of the Sale of Champions and Co-Chairman of the Youth in Agriculture Committee, along with Rodney Heimer, Co-Chairman, offered thanks and appreciation to all buyers, Youth in Agriculture sponsors and hometown supporters. The Best of Missouri Sale and the Sale of Champions raised more than $385,000 for youth exhibitors and youth involved in agriculture across Missouri. A listing of the 2025 Youth in Agriculture sponsors is available on the Fair’s website. A listing of the 2026 sponsors will be posted soon. Anyone interested in becoming a Sponsor or Hometown Supporter can visit the Fair’s website by the end of August to make an online donation. To receive more information about sponsorship, contact Chuck Miller at 573-881-3589, Rodney Heimer at 217-257-6182, or Chip Kemp at 573-239-0524.