Best of Missouri Sale raises more than $88,000 for Youth in Agriculture
(SEDALIA, Mo.)—The Missouri State Fair celebrated youth in agriculture on Saturday, Aug. 16. The Best of Missouri Awards and Sale was a highlight of the Fair. This sale raised more than $88,000 for Youth in Agriculture.
The Grand Champion Youth Ham was exhibited by Kierstyn Lawson of California. Kierstyn is the daughter of Jason and Stephanie Lawson and is a member of the California FFA Chapter. Her ham sold for $8,250 and was purchased by Greg and Rachel Logsdon, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Bacon was exhibited by Paxton Crane of Centralia. Paxton is the son of Travis and Stacy Crane and is a member of the Hallsville FFA Chapter. His bacon sold for $8,900 and was purchased by Brent Hazelrigg, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Steer Carcass was exhibited by Ryder Yount of Belgrade. Ryder is the son of Greg and Rebecca Yount and is a member of the CCK 4-H Club. His beef carcass sold for $11,400 and was purchased by American Foods Group/America’s Heartland Packing, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Barrow Carcass was exhibited by Kendall Brewer of Sweet Springs. Kendall is the daughter of Tara and Jared Brewer and is a member of the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter. Her pork carcass sold for $8,100 and was purchased by BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Lamb Carcass was exhibited by Callen Fosnow of Jamestown. Callen is the son of Daniel and Emily Fosnow and is a member of the Eager Eagles 4-H Club. His lamb carcass sold for $4,400 and was purchased by Walt Group and Sheep Merchandising Council, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Youth Meat Goat Carcass was exhibited by Gavin Conrad of Hume. Gavin is the son of Ryan and Kayla Gander and William Conrad and is a member of the Backroads 4-H Club – Vernon County. His goat carcass sold for $5,975 and was purchased by Missouri Southern Seeds and Zac and Bailey Abell, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Ham was exhibited by Aubrey Embry of Clarksburg. Aubrey is the daughter of Debbie Williams and Kent Embry and is a member of the Tipton FFA Chapter. Her ham sold for $4,725 and was purchased by Fordyce Farms and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council “Brought to you by Missouri soybean farmers and their check-off,” along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Bacon was exhibited by Aidon Bolton of Bowling Green. Aidon is the son of Steve Bolton and Amanda Perkins and is a member of the Bowling Green FFA Chapter. His bacon sold for $3,675 and was purchased by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council “Brought to you by Missouri soybean farmers and their check-off” and Missouri Pork Producers Association, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Youth Steer Carcass was exhibited by Tyler Wassmann of Boonville. Tyler is the son of Daniel and Melanie Wassmann and is a member of the Boonville FFA Chapter. His beef carcass sold for $5,775 and was purchased by Walnut Hill Farms and BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Barrow Carcass was exhibited by Harper Wolf of Chillicothe. Harper is the daughter of Neal and Brooke Wolf and is a member of the Livingston County 4-H Club. Her pork carcass sold for $7,025 and was purchased by BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Lamb Carcass was exhibited by Joshua Bax of Maryville. Joshua is the son of Matt and Sara Bax and is a member of the NE Bluejays 4-H Club. His lamb carcass sold for $6,725 and was purchased by Mizzou Meat Market and Chuck, Christi, Abby, and Ethan Miller, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat Carcass was exhibited by Geena Curtis of Harrisburg. Geena is the daughter of Brian and Elaine Curtis and is a member of the Hallsville Go Getters 4-H Club. Her goat carcass sold for $3,825 and was purchased by BTC Bank, 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 Friends of Missouri Farm Bureau for $2,500 and box two was purchased by Missouri State Fair Commissioners, Missouri Director of Agriculture, and Missouri State Fair Director for $2,500.
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 Missouri State Fair Commissioners, Missouri Director of Agriculture, and Missouri State Fair Director for $1,500. The Governor’s Cup Wine Case with a bottle signed by Governor Mike Kehoe, featuring Adam Puchta 2024 Dry Vignole, was purchased by Grant Co. for $1,100.
The Best of Class Cheeses 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 $1,500. The proceeds of the Best of Class Cheese Collection will go to the Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund.
Chuck Miller, Superintendent of the Sale of Champions and Co-Chairman of the Missouri State Fair Foundation Youth in Agriculture Committee, and 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 approximately $332,000 for youth exhibitors and youth involved in agriculture across Missouri. A listing of the 2024 Youth in Agriculture sponsors is available on the Fair’s website. A listing of the 2025 sponsors will be posted soon. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can visit the Fair’s website 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.
Sale of Champions raises more than $244,000 for Youth in Agriculture
(SEDALIA, Mo.)—The Missouri State Fair celebrated youth in agriculture on Saturday, Aug. 16. The annual Sale of Champions highlighted the day. The sale raised more than $244,000 for youth involved in agriculture.
The Grand Champion Steer was exhibited by Lincoln Berndt of Princeton. Lincoln is the son of Jason and Christy Allen and Kyle Berndt and is a member of the Princeton FFA Chapter. His 1,340-pound crossbred steer sold for $34,000 and was purchased by Edward Jones and Associates, Missouri State Fair Commissioners, Missouri Director of Agriculture, and Missouri State Fair Director, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Barrow was exhibited by Ty Murphy of Houstonia. Ty is the son of Brent and DeEtta Murphy and is a member of the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter. His 279-pound Dark Crossbreed hog was purchased for $32,000 by the Missouri State Fair Concessionaires, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Jillian Vogelsmeier, of Sweet Springs, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Lamb. Jillian is the daughter of Matt and Rachal Vogelsmeier and is a member of the Sweet Springs FFA Chapter. Her lamb weighed 152 pounds and was purchased for $26,500 by Mizzou CAFNR, CAFNR Division of Animal Sciences, Mizzou CAFNR Alumni Association, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Mizzou Block and Bridle, Mizzou Independent Aggies, and Missouri Sheep Producers, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Meat Goat was exhibited by Thomas Limbach of Eugene. Thomas is the son of Dennis and Twyla Limbach and is a member of the Eldon FFA Chapter. His Boer goat weighed 87 pounds and was purchased for $21,000 by BTC Bank, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Grand Champion Pen of Chickens was exhibited by Judd Lawson of Schell City. Judd is the son of Bob and Susan Lawson and is a member of the Osage River 4-H Club. His Cornish cross chickens weighed an average of 7.151 pounds and was purchased by The Poultry Federation and Grant Co. for $4,700, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Carissa Stong, of Sheldon, exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Rabbits. Carissa is the daughter of Dusty and Melissa Stong and is a member of the Nevada FFA Chaper. Her New Zealand rabbits weighed an average of 5.4 pounds and were purchased for $6,300 by Sycamore Creek-Wayne, Anita and Ethan Vanderwert, and Missouri Rabbit Producers, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Samuel Jordan, of Savannah, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Samuel is the son of Monica and Matt Jordan and is a member of the Savannah FFA Chapter. Samuel’s 1,355-pound Charolais Composite steer was purchased for $38,500 by Wheeler Auction and Real Estate, Wheeler Angus Farms, Global Group, and Walt Group, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Kade Jackson, of Lathrop, showed the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow. Kade is the son of Zeb and Brandy Jackson and is a member of the Liberty 4-H Club. Kade’s 291-pound Crossbred barrow was purchased for $22,000 by The Climate FieldView Corporation and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council “Brought to you by Missouri soybean farmers and their check-off,” along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Elsie Barton, of Mountain Grove, showed the Reserve Champion Market Lamb. Elsie is the daughter of Brandon and Brittany Barton and is a member of the Wright County 4-H Club. Her natural lamb weighed 142 pounds and was purchased for $27,500 by CFM Insurance and Don’s Truck Towing and Truck Wash, Inc., along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Alexis Koelling, of Bowling Green, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat. Alexis is the daughter of Brock and Michele Meyer and is a member of the Bowling Green FFA Chapter. Alexis’ crossbred goat weighed 77 pounds and sold for $21,500 to The Climate Fieldview, Mizzou CAFNR, CAFNR Division of Animal Sciences, Mizzou CAFNR Alumni Association, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Mizzou Block and Bridle, Mizzou Independent Aggies, and Weaver CDL Training, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Brice Randolph, of Pleasant Hill, exhibited the Reserve Champion Pen of Chickens. Brice is the son of Clifton and Rachael Randolph and is a member of the Hickory Grove 4-H Club. Brice’sCornish cross chickens weighed an average of 6.72 pounds and sold for $3,100 to ADM Animal Nutrition/MoorMan’s ShowTec, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
Kaela Britton, of Atlanta, exhibited the Reserve Champion Pen of Rabbits. Kaela is the daughter of Travis and Jodi Britton and is a member of the Randolph County 4-H Club. Kaela’s California rabbits weighed an average of 5 pounds and sold for $4,650 to Representative Doyle Justice, O’Bannon Farms, Guy Black, Mike Deering, Davin Althoff, and Charlie Rosenkrans, along with Youth in Agriculture and hometown supporters.
The Limited Edition Sale of Champions Commemorative Belt Buckle was purchased by Boggs Audio for $1,500.
Chuck Miller, Superintendent of the Sale of Champions and Co-Chairman of the Missouri State Fair Foundation Youth in Agriculture Committee, and Rodney Heimer, Co-Chairman, offered thanks and appreciation to all buyers, Youth in Agriculture sponsors and hometown supporters. The Sale of Champions and Best of Missouri Sale raised approximately $332,000 for youth exhibitors and youth involved in agriculture across the state. A listing of the 2024 Youth in Agriculture sponsors is available on the Fair’s website. A listing of the 2025 sponsors will be posted soon. Anyone interested in becoming a hometown sponsor can visit the Fair’s website to make an online donation until midnight Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.