By JoDee Christianson U of M Extension Service Where can youth learn communication and team work skills while gaining knowledge about livestock? Through the Minnesota 4-H Project Bowl program, youth have the opportunity to compete in seven different bowls area including: dairy, dog, general livestock, goat, horse, poultry, and rabbit. During the winter months, county teams study a list of resources and then compete in a knowledge bowl style contest that tests their knowledge. For each bowl, there are two divisions – junior and senior. Junior teams are composed of 4-Hers in grades 3-8 and senior teams are composed of members in grades 4 through 4-H graduation (12+1). Through this process, young people and coaches study information that varies from veterinary care and diseases to breeds and genetics. Along with learning about livestock, participants learn how to make decisions, study and work as a team. Regional competitions were held in March where more than 225 teams participated and a limited number of teams advanced to the State Competition which was held April 21 in Foley. The following teams and members represented Stearns County at the State 4-H Project Bowl Competition: The Junior Dairy Team finished second overall (members included Annie Achen, Rachel Achen, Roxann Achen, Nicolas Lahr and Christina Sand, with Richard Sand as coach; Senior Dairy Team finished third overall (members included Abby Udermann, Megan Udermann, Jacob Achen and Eddie Bosl, with Dennis Primus as coach; Junior Poultry Team placed third overall (members included Samantha Hinnenkamp, Grant Hopke, Whitney Sabrowsky, Lauren Hopke and Eric Sabrowsky, with Greg Hopke as coach; Senior Poultry Team finished fourth overall (members included Heidi Jenkins, Aaron Orbeck, Adam Orbeck, Anneke Jenkins and Robbie Meyer, with Greg Hopke as coach; Junior Rabbit Team finished seventh overall (members included Ashley Willie, Jesse Schleppenbach, Blake Komis and Paige Meyer; Senior Rabbit Team finished second overall (members included Jennifer Komis, Brooke Meyer, Becky Skaj, Jill Kobylinski and Kaitlin Undersander, with Rick Stanoch as coach. For more information, go to www.fourh.umn.edu/projectbowl.
