Randolph County 4-H started a Youth Livestock Program this year that includes livestock judging, skillathon and quiz bowl focusing on beef cattle, swine, sheep and goats. The team members practiced regularly during the summer months to prepare for competition.  On July 30st-August 1st, 2026, eight youth attended the State 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon and Quiz Bowl Contest in Raleigh, NC. Randolph County 4-H entered two junior (ages 8-10) individual, two intermediate (ages 11-13) individuals and four senior (ages 14-18) individuals that made up one team in the contest. There were 132 judging contestants, 112 skillathon contestants, and 23 teams in quiz bowl (intermediate and senior). The top teams and individuals were announced on August 1st, 2026, during a formal awards luncheon at the Talley Student Center in Raleigh, NC. This contest marked the highest participation in the history of the NC State 4-H Youth Livestock Program.

The following youth were entered into the contest: Julie Hiatt (Junior), Jimmy Hiatt (Junior), Isaac Bernstein (Intermediate), Gabby Maynard (Intermediate), Liam Marshall (Senior), Jonathan Scarlett (Senior), Hannah Gilchrist (Senior), and Katelyn Haltom (Senior).  Youth were coached by Adam Lawing, Randolph County Livestock Extension Agent and Lauren Langley, Randolph County Extension Director and Livestock Agent. All youth competed in livestock judging, skillathon and quiz bowl contests.

All of our youth did exceptionally well for their respective knowledge and experience. This was everyone's first State 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon and Quiz Bowl Contest.  Listed below are the highlights from this year’s contest.

SKILLATHON 

Jimmy Hiatt

8th Evaluation (meat, wool, hay judging)

2nd Quality Assurance

4th ID/Written Test

3rd Overall Junior Individual

Gabby Maynard

3rd ID/Written Test

5th Overall Intermediate Individual

JUDGING

Julie Hiatt

9th Meat Goats

11th Swine

Jimmy Hiatt

8th Swine

8th Oral Reasons

12th Meat Goats

11th Sheep

Gabby Maynard

11th Beef Cattle

18th Oral Reasons

13th Sheep

Jonathan Scarlett

16th Beef Cattle

14th Meat Goats

16th Sheep

15th Overall Senior Individual

Hannah Gilchrist

16th Swine

QUIZ BOWL

Isaac Bernstein

8th Overall Intermediate Individual

Hannah Gilchrist

8th Overall Senior Individual

Jonathan Scarlett

6th Overall Senior Individual

To learn more about the Youth Livestock Program and/or 4-H in Randolph County please contact the office at 336-318-6000 or by visiting our website or Facebook page.