Vermont 4-H: Developing the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

I don't need to tell you that agriculture remains a defining part of our state’s identity. From supporting our economy to keeping land open and beautiful, small family farming has been part of the fabric of Vermont for centuries.

To my mind, it is extremely important that we not only remember the agricultural history and values that have shaped Vermont and made this state special, but that we also help our communities — especially the next generation — stay connected to farming. Despite many changes in the industry and the decline of family farms over the years, one thing has remained the same: opportunities through 4-H.

Now the largest youth development organization in the nation, 4-H (with the four values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) started more than a century ago to connect public school education to rural life. People started clubs around the country so young people could learn skills and solve agricultural challenges, and by 1916, 80 clubs had popped up around Vermont. You can read more about 4-H’s history in Vermont here. 

For decades, 4-H in Vermont – run by the University of Vermont Extension program – has given young people across the state the chance to learn and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in agriculture and beyond. In March, over 50 young Vermonters between the ages of 8 and 18 gathered at UVM to demonstrate their knowledge of dairy in the annual State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl.

At this competition, these bright young Vermonters demonstrated their expertise by answering questions about cow breeds, anatomy, diet requirements, and more. Answering questions like, “Name three of the six major breeds of dairy cattle,” youth in the Senior Division (ages 14-18) competed for the chance to represent Vermont on the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team in the national Dairy Quiz Bowl.

At a time when too many of our young people are struggling with social media, short attention spans and anxiety, I was glad to see young Vermonters engaging in healthy, spirited competition, while carrying on the traditions of agriculture here in the Green Mountain State. Photos from the event are included below.

I hope you will join me in recognizing the hard work and determination of the many 4-Hers who came out to the Dairy Quiz Bowl and wishing the winners the best as they move on to represent Vermont in the national championship.


Sincerely,

Placements were as follows:

Seniors: Bryn Nelson, East Ryegate (first); Taryn Burns, Shoreham (second); Anna Clough, Ryegate (third); Brailey Livingston, New Haven (fourth); Caroline Allen, Vergennes (fifth); Eva Bury (sixth) and Sloan Nelson (seventh), both from Derby; Alexa Graham, Holland (eighth); Bristol Card, Williston (ninth); Lola Rollins, Ferrisburgh (tenth)

Receiving blues were: Patty Bruce, Wallingford; Lydia Clough, Ryegate; Reegan Kelley, Derby; Emmeline Paquet and Maddie Perry, both from East Montpelier; Emma Pothier, Newport Center; Cameron Rhodes, St. Albans

Seventeen 4-H'ers, ages 14 to 18, competed in the Senior Division at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8, in Burlington. Finishing in the Top 10 were: Front row (left to right): Caroline Allen, Vergennes; Brailey Livingston, New Haven; Anna Clough, Ryegate; Taryn Burns, Shoreham; and Bryn Nelson, East Ryegate. Back row: Lola Rollins, Ferrisburgh; Bristol Card, Williston; Alexa Graham, Holland; and Sloan Nelson and Eva Bury, both from Derby. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

12- and 13-year-olds: Tenley Chittenden, Whiting (first); Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier (second); CJ McNeely, Lunenburg (third); Boston Wilbur, Orwell (fourth); Ewan Nelson, East Ryegate (fifth); Mya Marquis, Newport Center (sixth); Renee Plouffe, Bridport (seventh); Gracie Bromley, Wallingford (eighth); Harper Cole-Howrigan, St. Albans (ninth); Remington Card, Williston (tenth)
Winning blues were: Riley Domina, Fairfield; Camille Plouffe, Bridport

Earning the 10 highest individual scores in the 12- and 13-year-old age group at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8 in Burlington, were: Front row (left to right): Ewan Nelson, East Ryegate; Boston Wilbur, Orwell; CJ McNeely, Lunenburg; Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier; and Tenley Chittenden, Whiting. Back row: Remington Card, Williston; Harper Cole-Howrigan, St. Albans; Gracie Bromley, Wallingford; Renee Plouffe, Bridport; and Mya Marquis, Newport Center. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

10- and 11-year-olds: Eli Lidback, Westmore (first); Olivia Tudhope, Orwell (second); Thomas Allen, Vergennes (third); Rowdy Pope, Bridport (fourth); Madison Fuller, Lunenburg (fifth); Sutton Chittenden, Whiting (sixth); Annabelle Farr, Richmond (seventh); Normandie Cesario, Cornwall (eighth); Colt Card, Williston (ninth); Ella Pope, Shoreham (tenth)
Receiving blue ribbons were: Carson Ayer and Scarlett Perry, both from East Montpelier

The 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, March 8 in Burlington, attracted a dozen 10- and 11-year-old competitors. Capturing the top 10 placings in the event in this age group were: Front row (left to right): Madison Fuller, Lunenburg; Rowdy Pope, Bridport; Thomas Allen, Vergennes; Olivia Tudhope, Orwell; and Eli Lidback, Westmore. Back row: Ella Pope, Shoreham; Colt Card, Williston; Normandie Cesario, Cornwall; Annabelle Farr, Richmond; and Sutton Chittenden, Whiting. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

8- and 9-year-olds: Amelia Tudhope, Orwell (first); Nora Plouffe, Bridport (second); Adalie Farr, Richmond (third); Huxton Joyal, Williston (fourth); Adley Machia, Highgate (fifth); Jasper Paquet, East Montpelier (sixth); Leone Plouffe, Bridport (seventh); Ellis Chittenden, Whiting (eighth); Leland Eaton, Lunenburg (ninth); Katelyn Sweet, Highgate Center (tenth)
Receiving blue ribbons: Bentley Domina, Fairfield; Patrick Paquet, East Montpelier; Desiree Plouffe, Bridport; Logan Russell, Alburgh; Ava Smith, Danby

University of Vermont Extension 4-H hosted the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl on March 8, which was arranged according to age. Competing in the 8- and 9-year-olds division were: Front row (left to right): Adley Machia, Highgate; Huxton Joyal, Williston; Adalie Farr, Richmond; Nora Plouffe, Bridport; and Amelia Tudhope, Orwell. Back row: Katelyn Sweet, Highgate Center; Leland Eaton, Lunenburg; Ellis Chittenden, Whiting; Leone Plouffe, Bridport; and Jasper Paquet, East Montpelier. (photo: Joanna Lidback)

Assisting quiz bowl organizer Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, were: Becky Allen, Vergennes; Emily Buskey and Stephanie Pope, both from Bridport; Adrienne Card, Williston; Erin Farr, Richmond; Joanna Lidback, Barton; Amber Machia, Highgate; Amy Maxham, St. Albans; and Ethan Nelson, East Ryegate.

4-H teen helpers, all past members of a State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team, were: Torrey Hanna, Addison; Liviya Russo, Lunenburg; and Amy Vaughan, Newbury. Amy and Torrey were members of the 2023 team and Liviya in 2022. Thomas Allen, Vergennes, was a youth helper as well as a quiz bowl participant.


Results information courtesy of the University of Vermont: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/news/4-h-dairy-quiz-bowl-sees-high-turnout

For more information about 4-H in Vermont, visit https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth