This year, several local 4-H youth took their livestock to The Ohio State fair. For a few of them, their hard work highly paid off. Collectively, they brought home two Grand Champion titles and two Reserve Champion titles! Read more about these impressive kids and their four legged friends..
Ohio State Sale of Champions; Grand Champion Steer
With Annistyn Oszust’s impressive history in showing large livestock, you would never guess that her family does not own or live on a farm and her parents don’t have a fair background. Annistyn shared with me that her family actually lives in town and her oldest sister was the one that introduced her family to showing market beef. Her sister is now in college and Annistyn has had no trouble filling her shoes. In only 6th grade, she already has quite an impressive 4-H career.
Annistyn is no stranger to showing. Between Jackpot mini shows in the winter, AGR, Holiday classic, The Beef Expo and more she has had a lot of experience in the ring. She also took home the Grand Champion title with her steer, Carl, at the Tuscarawas County Fair last year. She was over the moon this year when she and her beautiful, silver steer “Whiskey” won Grand Champion at The Ohio State Sale of Champions.
“I knew he had a chance. Everyone there kept telling us he was the champion. But I was just so happy when I won. I think my big sister might’ve been even happier for me than I was!”
Whiskey, Annistyn and supporters at the Ohio State Sale of Champions, 2024
The Brothers Who Brought Home Grand and Reserve
Kayne and Karter Ellwood are brothers who have been showing hogs for as long as they can remember. Each of them started officially showing around the age of 5. But with their parents’ love for hogs and the 4-H program, they’ve been familiar with the sport since birth.
Kayne, 16, has brought the grand champion Market Hog to the Tuscarawas county fair for the last two years in a row. This year he went to state and made it to the final drive, where his Poland China Borrow won Grand Champion in his class. When asked what his favorite part of going to state was, Kayne said “I was just so excited to be in the final drive!”
Kayne Ellwood & supporters at The Ohio State Fair 2024
Looking up to his older brother, Karter brought home Reserve Champion in the Poland China Barrow class. Both at the Ohio State Fair this year and in past years at the Tuscarawas County Fair. Together they are a force to be reckoned with!
Karter Ellwood & supporters at The Ohio State Fair 2024
An Unexpected Victory
As the 2024 Ohio State Fair was approaching, Marshall Miller was preparing his award winning sheep “Henry” for another show. Unfortunately, Henry never made it there. Henry developed a stomach ulcer and Marshall was no longer able to bring him to State. The pair have won grand or reserve champion in every show they’ve participated in. Marshall shared that he was pretty torn up about it.
Marshall then decided to show another one of his lambs “Cutie.” While he was excited to go show, he wasn’t fully expecting to bring home a title without Henry. Mostly, because Cutie is an Oxford Lamb. Marshall informed me that the Grand or Reserve title is rarely ever given to Oxfords.
“I don’t think I’ve ever, in my history of showing, seen an Oxford win Grand or Reserve.” -Marshall shared
Marshall was ecstatic when he found himself holding the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb title at the 2024 Ohio State fair!
Miller & Supporters at The Ohio Sate Fair, 2024
To see some impressive 4-h youth in action, be sure to visit the livestock shows at the 2024 Tuscarawas County Fair. Showing takes place from September 16th to September 21st. For more information on visiting the fair, click here.
Reporting,
Alyssa Harbold
Sources: Christine Kendle: 4-H Youth Development Educator for Ohio State University Extension in Tuscarawas County, Annistyn Oszust, Kayne Ellwood, Karter Ellwood, Marshall Miller