“Grand Champions. Made in Nebraska.”

This year’s Nebraska State Fair theme shined a spotlight on all those involved in agricultural and livestock events. The grandest champions of all took center stage at the State Fair over Labor Day weekend to compete in the annual Nebraska Elite Showman Competition. This was the 11th year for the event, which is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Rural Radio Association in cooperation with the Nebraska State Fair.

“The Nebraska Elite Showman Competition brings in the best of the best 4-H and FFA showmen from all over Nebraska,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “These young men and women give it their all at the county level for a chance to compete at the State Fair. I’m pleased that the Department and our partners are able to coordinate and sponsor events like these to recognize the hard work, dedication and passion that these young people have for agriculture.”

---

---

To compete, Elite Showman must be between 14-18 years of age and enrolled in a 4-H or FFA livestock project at the county level. Counties are able to select only one 4-H or FFA member to compete at the state fair. Agricultural organizations contribute to the contest in order for the winners to receive monetary prizes along with their statewide recognition.

“Programs such as the Elite Showman Competition encourage youth in our state to stay active in agriculture,” Ibach said. “That’s important, especially in Nebraska, where one in every four jobs is related to agriculture.”

---

---

In this year’s Nebraska Elite Showman Competition, 36 counties were represented.

Competitors are scored on beef, swine and sheep showmanship, as well as interview skills and knowledge via a written test. Along with first, second and third place overall winners, winners are selected for each division. The top overall Elite Showman receives $2,000, the second place finisher receives $1,000 and the third place overall winner receives $500. Division winners are awarded $300 each. All other competitors receive a $50 prize.

The 2016 overall winners were:

• 1st place overall: Hannah Williams from Buffalo County

• 2nd place overall: Malina Lindstrom from Phelps County

• 3rd place overall: Jaclyn Heinrich from Lancaster County

The 2016 Elite Showman division winners were:

• Swine Showmanship: Savannah Gerlach from Gage County

• Sheep Showmanship: Jaclyn Heinrich from Lancaster County

• Beef Showmanship: Malina Lindstrom from Phelps County

• Written Test: Fina Choat from Boone County

• Interview: Hannah Williams from Buffalo County

Other participants included: Wynn Cannon (Polk), Garret Dearmont (Sherman), Chase DeVries (Adams), Riley Eisenhauer (Frontier), Taylor Falkenstine (Franklin), Bryar Gerlach (Lincoln), Hannah Groth (Platte), Cody Hambleton (Nance), Katharyn Hartley (Wheeler), Kathlyn Hauxwell (Red Willow), Taylor Heim (Cass), Taralee Hudson (Thayer), Grace Jacobson (Fillmore), Kylie Kempf (Wayne), Stephanie Kersten (Sarpy), Felicia Knoerzer (Gosper), Dakota Lovett (Webster), Cindy Mansfield (Dawes), Kendra Marxsen (Colfax), Peyton McCord (Howard), Brent Miller (Burt), Tigh Renken (Dawson), Hannah Robertson (Perkins), Payton Schaneman (Saline), Kelsay Schlichtman (Jefferson), Tristan Snover (Seward), Brinn Space (Kearney), Jency Starr (McPherson), Sydnee Strain (Scotts Bluff), Emily Tenski (Greeley) and Shelby Wachter (Washington). F