Ag News
Georgia Farm Bureau honors GA Jr. National Livestock Champions
Posted on Jun 24, 2025 at 13:41 PM
For the 14th year, Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) rewarded the 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors who showed the top animals at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show (GJNLS) for the long hours they spent in hot and cold weather preparing their animals for the show ring.
GFB celebrated the latest group of GJNLS grand champion exhibitors during its Evening of Champions dinner, June 13. GFB welcomed the students, their families, FFA advisors and 4-H agents to its state office in Macon. The event included inspirational speeches from GFB President Tom McCall and Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper followed by the two ag leaders presenting each grand champion with a scholarship and gold belt buckle courtesy of GFB.
Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, far left, & Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, far right, congratulate the fall 2024 & winter 2025 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show grand champion exhibitors, left to right: North Forsyth Co. High FFA member Cash Adams, Grand Champion Breeding Ewe; Morgan County 4-Her Savannah Artman, Grand Champion Market Wether Lamb; Lincoln Co. High FFA member Aubrey Welch, Grand Champion Market Wether Goat; Madison Co. FFA member Olivia Lee, Grand Champion Breeding Doe; Colquitt Co. FFA member Libba Dykes, Grand Champion Market Beef Animal; Irwin County 4-Her Sadie Ross, Grand Champion Market Barrow; Taylor County 4-Her McKenzie McInvale, Grand Champion Market Gilt; White County 4-Her Luke Keener, Grand Champion Market Ewe Lamb; Coweta County 4-Her Caeden Swartz, Grand Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer; Banks Co. High FFA member Reagen Ferguson, Grand Champion Market Doe Goat; & Banks Co. High FFA member Raegan Gilbert, Grand Champion Beef Heifer. /Photo by Logan Thomas
“Tonight is a celebration of grit, heart and the agricultural spirit that drives these remarkable young people. Each of these grand champion exhibitors has spent countless hours feeding, grooming, walking and practicing with their livestock, often long before sunrise or after a full school day. You’ve shown the ability to learn from setbacks, stay committed and work as a team with your animal and your support system,” said GFB President Tom McCall. “Let us also recognize the importance of Georgia FFA and 4-H – two organizations that continue to empower, educate and uplift the next generation of agricultural leaders These programs teach far more than livestock management. They teach public speaking, community service, leadership and lifelong skills that reach far beyond the show barn.”
The GJNL show is open to all Georgia 4-H and FFA members. The show is the culmination of the two youth programs’ livestock projects, which give students a chance to learn how to care for beef cattle, dairy heifers, hogs, goats and lambs for months, train them to be shown, and then compete for state honors as having the best animal in the various species categories.
Some 346 4-H and FFA members showed 688 goats in the 2024 Georgia Junior Market Goat Shows held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) in Perry last October while the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Lamb show drew 230 exhibitors who showed 475 lambs.
At the 2025 Ga. Jr. National Livestock Show, held Feb. 19-22 at the GNFA, 344 students showed 667 beef heifers; 173 students showed 250 market heifers or steers; 204 students showed 276 dairy heifers; 1,058 students showed 2,105 hogs (barrows and gilts); 170 students exhibited 323 ewes; 245 students showed 452 does.
GFB awarded a total of $19,000 in scholarships to the grand champion exhibitors who are: Market Doe Goat - Reagen Ferguson, Banks Co.; Market Wether Goat - Aubrey Welch, Lincoln Co.; Market Ewe Lamb - Luke Keener, White Co.; Market Wether Lamb - Savannah Artman, Morgan Co.; Breeding Doe - Olivia Lee, Madison Co.; Breeding Ewe - Cash Adams, Forsyth Co.; Market Barrow - Sadie Ross, Irwin Co.; Market Gilt - McKenzie McInvale, Taylor Co.; Commercial Dairy Heifer - Caeden Swartz, Coweta Co.; Beef Heifer - Raegan Gilbert, Banks Co.; & Market Beef Cattle - Libba Dykes, Colquitt Co.
Market Doe Goat – Reagen Ferguson, Banks County
Banks County High FFA member Reagen Ferguson exhibited the 2024 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Doe Goat during the 2024 Georgia National Fair held in Perry last October. Ferguson is congratulated by show judge Josh Cody. She received a $1,500 prize check from Georgia Farm Bureau. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Banks County FFA member Reagen Ferguson won the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Doe Goat Grand Champion scholarship prize of $1,500 Oct. 5, 2024, at the Georgia National Fair. Reagen is the daughter of Sloane and Breann Ferguson of Homer.
Reagen was a senior at Banks County High School when she won last fall. She plans to attend the University of North Georgia this fall to pursue a degree in finance.
Last year was Reagen’s first year showing goats. She decided to show goats in 2024 after watching and helping her younger sister and cousin in 2023.
“As I helped them at the barn and shows, I realized I wanted to also show even though it was my senior year,” Reagen said.
She won with a Boer crossbred goat that she lovingly named Connie after a family friend.
With it being Reagen’s first year showing, she heeded the advice of her FFA advisors Kip Jackson and Chris Crump when it came to selecting her winning doe.
“They taught me what to look for in bone and body structure when it came to selecting the best animal,” Reagen said. “Being able to recognize the potential the goat had made a difference. At the end of the day, maximizing that potential with daily preparation and commitment helped get the maximum performance out of my goat.”
Reagen described her goat as being a “little stubborn to work with” in the beginning.
“The more time we spent together, she became super easy going and relaxed,” Reagen said. “Her personality helped her outperform in the ring.”
Josh Cody of Texas judged the Georgia Jr. Market Doe Show.
Market Wether Goat – Aubrey Welch, Lincoln County
Lincoln County FFA member Aubrey Welch exhibited the 2024 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Wether Goat during the 2024 Georgia National Fair held in Perry last October. Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Director Clay Talton presents the $1,500 prize check to Welch. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Lincoln County FFA member Aubrey Welch exhibited the goat selected as the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Wether Goat Grand Champion on Oct. 4, 2024, to earn a $1,500 scholarship. Aubrey, the daughter of John and Nikki Welch, of Lincolnton, has been showing goats for 10 years. She also showed sheep for three years.
A recent graduate of Lincoln County High School, Aubrey plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall to major in agricultural education.
Aubrey named her grand champion Boer goat Toby in memory of county music singer Toby Keith.
“He was pretty easy to train compared to other animals I’ve shown in the past,” Aubrey said.
Showing goats has been a family affair for the Welches for years as both Aubrey and her older sister, Madie, showed.
“We purchased a couple of retired show goats from friends. My sister and I enjoyed walking them around on halters and spending time with them. My dad wanted us to show cows, but we were afraid of their size. We loved how comfortable we felt around the goats and decided to give showing a try,” Aubrey said.
Aubrey has captured several top awards showing goats in the GJNLS in recent years. In 2023 she exhibited the Georgia Jr. Market Doe Grand Champion and the reserve grand champion Georgia Jr. Market Wether. She showed the Georgia Jr. Reserve Champion Market Doe in 2022. She also earned the 2024 Supreme FFA Market Goat Showmanship Award.
When asked what she likes most about showing, Aubrey answered, “I enjoyed the friendships and connections I’ve made within the agricultural industry.”
Josh Cody of Texas judged the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Goat Wether Show. Chase McGill was Aubrey’s FFA advisor.
Market Ewe Lamb – Luke Keener, White County
White County 4-Her Luke Keener showed the 2024 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Ewe during the 2024 Georgia National Fair held in Perry last October. Kenner is congratulated by show judge Jason Simpson as Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Director Clay Talton presents the $1,000 prize check to Keener. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
White County 4-H member Luke Keener exhibited the lamb selected as the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Ewe Lamb Grand Champion on Oct. 6, 2024, to win a $1,000 scholarship. Luke, the son of Dustin and Amanda Keener, of Cleveland, has been showing sheep for five years. He has shown livestock for seven years, also showing goats and hogs.
Luke won with a black-face crossbred sheep he named League of Her Own in reference to the movie “A League of Their Own.”
“My grand champion was a little sassy to get ready for the ring,” Luke said. “I learned that showing is a journey, but hard work will pay off.”
A rising sixth grader, Luke was a fifth grader at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School when he won the grand champion prize last fall.
Because both of his parents are ag teachers, it was probably inevitable that Luke would become a show kid.
“I saw all of the high school kids showing and thought it was cool, and it all just kind of fell into place from there,” Luke said.
Luke said what he enjoys most about showing is, “The people you get to meet along the way. Without all the people I have met and all the relationships I have made along the way, I would not be the showman I am today.”
Jason Simpson from Colorado judged the market lamb show. Luke’s 4-H agent is Rachel Martin.
Market Wether Lamb – Savannah Artman, Morgan County
Morgan County 4-Her Savannah Artman showed the 2024 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Wether Lamb at the 2024 Georgia National Fair held in Perry last October. Artman is congratulated by show judge Jason Simpson as Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Director Clay Talton presents the $1,000 prize check to Artman. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Morgan County 4-Her Savannah Artman showed the sheep tapped as the 2024 Georgia Jr. Market Wether Lamb Grand Champion on Oct. 6, 2024, winning a $1,000 scholarship. The daughter of Casey and Jennifer Artman, of Rutledge, Savannah has been showing sheep for six years. She also shows rabbits.
Savannah won with a black-face crossbred lamb she named Mr. Awesome.
“He wasn’t easy to train. He was very powerful, but the more I worked with him, the better he became,” Savannah said.
A rising sixth grader, Savannah was a fifth grader at Morgan County Elementary School when she won the grand champion prize last fall.
Savannah’s older brother inspired her to start showing sheep.
“My big brother started showing and it looked like so much fun, so I decided to join him,” she said.
What she enjoys most about showing is spending time with her family and the sheep.
When asked what she’s learned from showing livestock, Savannah answered, “Never give up. You will never know what the outcome of a show might be if you do not try your hardest.”
Jason Simpson from Colorado judged the market lamb show. Savannah’s 4-H agent is Lucy Ray.
Breeding Doe – Olivia Lee, Madison County
Madison County FFA member Olivia Lee exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Doe at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, center, & his wife, Jane, present the $1,000 prize check to Lee as show judge Darin Annuschat offers congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Madison County FFA member Olivia Lee won a $1,000 scholarship for showing the 2025 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Breeding Doe on Feb. 21. Olivia won with a commercial Boer cross she named Marty, which is short for her middle name, Martha.
An eighth grader at the time of the show in February, Olivia has been showing goats for eight years. She also showed sheep this year. She is the daughter of Byron and Elizabeth Lee of Comer.
When asked how she got into showing, Olivia answered, “I am the middle of six siblings. We do not participate in team sports or other extra curriculars. Showing goats keeps us all at home on the farm. We’re in the same place, working and having fun together.”
Olivia and her five siblings have made a name for themselves showing goats. In addition to Olivia’s win this year, her brother Morris showed the 2022 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Breeding Doe. Her sister Mallory showed the 2021 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Market Doe Goat.
“I have been waiting a very long time for my grand champion moment,” Olivia said. “The previous two years I thought I had a goat good enough to win, but every year my siblings or a friend came up winning ahead of me. When Marty came home, I knew this year was going to be different. I knew she was good enough.”
Olivia said she was looking for a stout but feminine doe when she chose her project animal.
Even though she thought she had a good goat, Olivia said getting Marty ready for the show ring was “Pretty difficult because there were many ups and downs. I had to practice my showmanship performance, weight class performance, feeding and washing skills.”
Caring for her goats’ hair is the aspect of showing Olivia says she most enjoys.
“I enjoy conditioning, brushing and applying hair products to keep their hair nice, clean, soft and long,” Olivia said. “It can be a little challenging and time consuming, but it is definitely worth it and enjoyable.”
Darin Annuschat of Oklahoma judged the show. Dr. Joshua Whitworth is Olivia’s FFA advisor.
Breeding Ewe – Cash Adams, Forsyth County
North Forsyth County High School FFA member Cash Adams showed the Grand Champion Breeding Doe at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. From left, Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Director Clay Talton presents the $1,000 prize check to Adams as show judge Jake Warntjes presents the trophy. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Forsyth County FFA member Cash Adams showed the sheep picked as the 2025 Georgia Jr. Breeding Ewe Grand Champion on Feb. 22 to win a $1,000 scholarship. The son of Bud and Annette Adams, of Cumming, Cash has been showing sheep for 12 years. He also shows goats and pigs.
Cash won with a black-face crossbred lamb named Lot Lizard.
“She was easy to train, and she was very cute,” Cash said of his grand champion winner.
A rising senior, Cash was a junior at North Forsyth High School when he won the grand champion prize earlier this year.
Cash said his older siblings, Brayden and Kaylie, who also showed sheep, drew him into showing. Brayden showed the 2018 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion breeding ewe.
When asked what he likes most about showing Cash answered, “All the new people I get to meet.”
Jake Warntjes of Oklahoma judged the breeding ewe show. Bailey Fernandez is Cash’s FFA advisor.
Market Barrow – Sadie Ross, Irwin County
Irwin County 4-Her Sadie Ross, center, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, left, presents the $1,500 prize check as show judge Seth Swenson offers congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Irwin County 4-Her Sadie Ross earned a $1,500 scholarship for showing the 2025 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Market Barrow on Feb. 21. Sadie won with a crossbred hog named Leroy.
A fifth grader at Irwin County Elementary School at the time she won, Sadie has been showing pigs for nine years. She is the daughter of Justin and Kim Ross of Ocilla.
“My parents showed pigs when they were in high school. They thought that my siblings and I would like it, so they built pens and got pigs when I was three years old,” Sadie said. “From the time I could walk in a show ring, that is where I wanted to be.”
Her favorite thing about showing pigs?
“The thing I love most about showing pigs is the relationship and bond that I build with the pigs,” Sadie said. “I learn about their personalities each time. They are such loving, emotional and goofy animals.”
Leroy was the first of the show pigs her family got for her project year that ended at the February show, which gave Sadie some one-on-one time to train him.
“He was very easily trained because he was so calm, and Leroy was also food driven, meaning I could give him cookies or for food to encourage him to do certain things,” Sadie said.
Sadie said her family selected Leroy to show because he was structurally sound and square. She was also drawn to his calico coloring.
“One of the main things I have learned throughout these many years I have shown is the amount of work I do at home will show off when I get to a show. I have learned that I must put forth an effort to do the work needed to get my pigs ready for show day,” Sadie said. “My parents have told me many times to listen to others and learn from them. I like to watch older showmen when I am at the shows. I hope to one day be looked up to like that.”
Seth Swenson of Illinois selected Leroy grand champion of the market barrow show. Holly Anderson is Sadie’s 4-H agent.
Market Gilt – McKenzie McInvale, Taylor County
Taylor County 4-Her McKenzie McInvale showed the Grand Champion Market Gilt at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. Georgia Farm Bureau Field Services Associate Director Ken Murphree, left, presents the $1,500 prize check to McInvale as show judge Brian Arnold offers congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Taylor County 4-Her McKenzie McInvale earned a $1,500 scholarship for exhibiting the 2025 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Market Gilt Feb. 22. She won with a crossbred hog named Mattie, who was named in honor of someone who mentored and advised McKenzie on showing pigs.
After showing pigs for nine years, McKenzie had the privilege of ending her show career as a grand champion winner. She was a senior at Taylor County High School when she won. She plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall.
“Mattie was one of the easiest pigs to train that I’ve ever had,” McKenzie said of her grand champion. “I learned to cherish the time [of working with her] while it lasted because it flew by.”
McKenzie is the daughter of Wayne and Becky McInvale of Reynolds. Jody Pandolfi is McKenzie’s 4-H agent.
When asked what she enjoyed most about showing, McKenzie answered, “I enjoyed the friendships and memories made the most.”
McKenzie was first introduced to showing pigs at a county show when she was given the chance to show as a future generation shower.
“I fell in love with it,” she recalled. “I was offered a pig the next season, and I have not missed a season since.”
Brian Arnold of Indiana selected Mattie grand champion of the market gilt show.
Commercial Dairy Heifer – Caeden Swartz
Coweta County 4-H member Caeden Swartz exhibited the Grand Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. From left, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, presents the $1,500 prize check to Swartz as show judge Shawn Nehls offers congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Caeden Swartz, a Coweta County 4-Her, won the grand champion scholarship of $1,500, in the Georgia Jr. National Commercial Dairy Heifer Show Feb. 22, with a Red Holstein.
This is the eighth year that Caeden, the son of Kimber Swartz and John Swartz, showed dairy heifers. He was a junior at East Coweta High School when he won the award.
Caeden also won the Commercial Dairy Show 11th grade first place showmanship award and was named Commercial Dairy Master 4-H Showman at the 2025 show.
His years of showing dairy heifers have taught Caeden that “Winners never quit, and quitters never win!”
Caeden said he selected his winning heifer because she was “a conformationally correct animal with the potential to develop into a winning animal.”
He says what he enjoys most about showing dairy heifers is developing a relationship with each animal he trains and shows.
“Once we got to know one another, she was fairly easy to work with,” Caeden said. “She really seems to enjoy being in the show ring.”
Caeden named his winning heifer, Tipsy, after the song by Shaboozey.
He has his older sister to thank for introducing him to showing dairy heifers.
“My older sister got involved in the dairy heifer project when she was in high school, and it stuck with the family,” Caeden said. “We’ll keep this heifer, and she will be an integral part of our breeding program.”
Shawn Nehls of Wisconsin judged the commercial dairy heifer show. Stephanie Butcher is Caeden’s 4-H agent.
Beef Heifer – Raegan Gilbert, Banks County
Banks County High School FFA member Raegan Gilbert exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Heifer at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. At left, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall & his wife, Jane, present the $2,500 prize check to Gilbert as show judges Travis & Beth Pembrook offer congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Banks County FFA member Raegan Gilbert’s Maine-Angus heifer, Delta, was selected the grand champion of the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Beef Heifer Show on Feb. 21. Raegan won a $2,500 scholarship for showing the top beef heifer.
The daughter of Ron and Amber Gilbert of Homer, Raegan has been showing beef heifers for eight years.
“I grew up on a farm, so I have been around livestock my entire life. My parents took me to a cow show when I was in third grade and it took two years to convince them to let me show,” Raegan said of how she got into showing.
When Raegan first started showing cattle in middle school, she started a list of possible names for her livestock.
“Delta was the first name on the list, but I had to wait for the perfect cow. When I saw her the first time, I knew she would be a Delta,” Raegan said. “She was great to work with. When we brought her home from Ohio we automatically clicked.”
In picking out the beef heifer for her senior year, Raegan said she was looking for a heifer that was “sound in her structure but also had an attractive feminine look.”
Raegan and her parents also chose the heifer with an eye to the future.
“When my parents bought her, they had the intentions to make her a donor cow for our farm. She is currently pregnant and due to calve in early September,” Raegan said. “After she calves, she will get flushed so we can have embryos.”
A senior at Banks County High School when she won the show in February, Raegan said what she enjoys most about showing cattle is traveling and spending time with her friends.
“Never tell yourself you can’t accomplish your dreams. Anything is possible when you work hard and have the right people supporting you,” Raegan said.
She plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall and major in agricultural communications.
Travis and Beth Pembrook, a husband-and-wife team from Oklahoma, judged the beef heifer show. Chris Crump and Kipp Jackson were Raegan’s FFA advisors.
Market Beef Cattle – Libba Dykes, Colquitt County
Colquitt County FFA member Libba Dykes showed the Grand Champion Market Beef Animal at the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Livestock Show held in Perry in February. Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, left, presents the $5,000 prize check as show judge Ryan Cummins offers congratulations. / Photo courtesy of Square One Agri Marketing
Libba Dykes, an FFA member from Colquitt County won a $5,000 scholarship for showing the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Beef - a Charolais steer.
Libba, who has been showing livestock for eight years, is the daughter of Wes and Alison Weaver Dykes of Moultrie. She was a seventh grader at Willie J. Williams Middle School when she won the show Feb. 22.
When asked what she was looking for when she chose her grand champion steer, Libba answered, “We liked the color of the calf, his muscle, the way he walked and his overall soundness.”
She named her winning steer Boss.
“He just seemed like the boss out of all the animals in our barn,” Libba said. “It took lots of work and time for him to show just right.”
Libba, who also shows goats and pigs, said she likes showing livestock because she “enjoys making new friends and working with her animals.”
Working with Boss taught Libba some important life lessons.
“I learned that feeding out a champion steer takes a lot of patience and hard work every day,” Libba said. “You can’t give up along the way. I also realized that I am blessed to have a village of people to help me along the way.”
Showing cattle is in Libba’s DNA. Her mom exhibited the 1994 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Steer with a Limousin crossbred. Libba’s dad showed pigs in local shows, and her younger brother, Hank, shows pigs and will start showing cows this year.
Ryan Cummins of Texas judged the show. Chad Bass and Britney Gibbs are Libba’s FFA advisors.
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