From Penn State Extension of Berks County
Pictured above: The Berks County 4-H Dairy Club members of the 2025 4-H year.
The Berks County 4-H Dairy Club members’ 2025 participation and achievements were recognized during the recent 4-H Dairy Recognition at the Berks County Agricultural Center.
The Charles D. Care Memorial Rookie Award is presented to a first- or second-year member from each dairy club for being a “Rookie” of the year. Each club nominates a member who attends club meetings, participates in projects, helps out at the fair with good housekeeping, and participates in showmanship and fitting. This year, the clubs’ “Rookies” were Leah Hauseman from the Eastern Berks 4-H Dairy Club and Wade Gehringer from the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club. The overall county Charles D. Care Rookie of the Year was Leah Hauseman.
The Joyce Miller Award recognizes an outstanding Berks County 4-H Dairy Club member for their leadership experiences, participation in club and county events, and community service. They receive an award to be used for higher education, career training, or career investment. The Joyce Miller 4-H Career Advancement Award was awarded to Wyatt Koller of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club. Wyatt has been a 4-H member for the past 10 years, serving as a club president, a representative to the 4-H Dairy Council, and a teen leader. Wyatt attended the IGNITE 4-H Conference, which focused on agriscience. Wyatt credits his role as a club president of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club for helping him with his public speaking skills.
The 4-H members keep records on their cattle all year long and complete a project book to show what they do with their animals. These books are judged, and the top three in each age grouping are recognized. The 4-H Dairy Project Books were judged by George Dietrich, FFA Advisor from Oley Valley High School. The winners were:
- 8- to 9-year-olds:
- First place: Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks
- Second place: Easton Sattazahn, Northwestern Berks
- Third-place: Grant Hoover, Eastern Berks
- 10- to 12-year-olds:
- First place: Ashtyn Gehringer, Northwestern Berks
- Second place: Elaina Fox, Northwestern Berks
- Third place: Andrea Hix, Northwestern Berks
- 13- to 15-year-olds:
- First place: Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks
- Second place: Abby Kline, Eastern Berks
- Third place: Libby Lehner, Northwestern Berks
- 16- to 18-year-olds:
- First place: Phoebe Stutzman, Northwestern Berks
- Second place: Danica Rhoads, Northwestern Berks
- Third place: Zander Brown, Northwestern Berks.
Officer book awards were presented to Secretary Book: Wyatt Lehner, Northwestern Berks; Treasurer Book: Kaelynn Mertz, Eastern Berks; and Club Scrapbook: Eastern Berks 4-H Club.
The Overall 4-H Showmanship Award winners were Junior Showmanship: Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks; Intermediate Showmanship: Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks; and Senior Showmanship: Danica Rhoads, Northwestern Berks.
Rebecca Berger, Alexa Davis, and Katelyn Heckman graduated from the 4-H program this past year. They were recognized and given a small token of appreciation for their contributions to the Berks County 4-H Dairy Program. Wade Gehringer, Grant Hoover, and Abby Kline joined the dairy clubs this past year. They were recognized and given a welcome gift.
The 4-H members were also recognized for their participation in the 2025 PSU Spring Dairy Judging Contest, the 2025 PA 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest, the 2025 PA 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, the 2025 PA Junior Dairy Show, the 2025 All-American Dairy Showmanship Contest, and the 2025 NAILE 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.
The 4-H Dairy Club volunteers were also recognized for their dedication to the 4-H dairy program. Andrea Grumbine, Brandon Grumbine, Elizabeth Keller, and Morgan Kamp were recognized as five-year volunteers in their respective dairy clubs. Angela Davis was recognized as a 15-year volunteer in the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club, and Linda Youse was recognized as a 38-year volunteer in the Eastern Berks 4-H Dairy Club.
Following the recognition program, Brinley Hess, Berks County Dairy Princess, and Jordie Kelschner, Berks County Lil’ Miss Dairy Princess, led a dairy bingo game. Following the game, the Berks County 4-H Dairy Judging Team, consisting of Alexa and Connor Servin and Wyatt Lehner, presented a PowerPoint on their experience of competing at the North American International Livestock Expo 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Louisville, KY.
For the program, Rebecca Berger and Katelyn Heckman served as Master of Ceremonies; Alexa Davis led the pledges and invocation; and Brinley Hess, Berks County Dairy Princess, gave a Milk Toast.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through nonformal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/4-H.
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