Berks County 4-H Dairy Club members were recognized for their participation and achievements in 2025 during the 4-H Dairy Recognition event held recently 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 Rookies of the Year 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 4-H Career Advancement 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.
This year’s Joyce Miller Award was awarded to Wyatt Koller of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club, who has been a 4-H member for the past 10 years. He has served as the club president, 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 club president of the Northwestern Berks 4-H Dairy Club for helping him with his public speaking skills.
The Overall 4-H Showmanship Awards were presented to Junior Showmanship, Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks; Intermediate Showmanship, Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks; 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.
Three new 4-H members, 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 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.
PROJECT BOOK WINNERS
Ages 8 to 9
1st place: Leah Hauseman, Eastern Berks
2nd place: Easton Sattazahn, Northwestern Berks
3rd place: Grant Hoover, Eastern Berks
Ages 10 to 12
1st place: Ashtyn Gehringer, Northwestern Berks
2nd place: Elaina Fox, Northwestern Berks
3rd place: Andrea Hix, Northwestern Berks
Ages 13 to 15
1st place: Kalina Rhoads, Northwestern Berks
2nd plac: Abby Kline, Eastern Berks
3rd place: Libby Lehner, Northwestern Berks
Ages 16 to 18
1st place: Phoebe Stutzman, Northwestern Berks
2nd place: Danica Rhoads, Northwestern Berks
3rd place: Zander Brown, Northwestern Berks
Officer book awards were presented to Secretary Book – Wyatt Lehner, Northwestern Berks; Treasurer Book – Kaelynn Mertz, Eastern Berks; Club Scrapbook – Eastern Berks 4-H Club.