Ag News
Georgia Farm Bureau honors Georgia Junior National Livestock Champions
Posted on Jun 10, 2026 at 14:46 PM
For the 15th 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 5. 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.
“We’re here tonight to recognize some of the hardest-working young people in agriculture. It’s about more than pictures, belt buckles and awards. We’re interested in celebrating your character and the unwavering commitment to your animal that got you here,” said McCall. “We are grateful for the continued impact of Georgia FFA and Georgia 4-H, organizations that provide young people with opportunities to grow in leadership, service, citizenship and agricultural knowledge. These programs help prepare students not only for success in agriculture but for success in life.”
McCall encouraged the students to remember they are setting an example for other young people to follow in their footsteps.
“You stood on other’s shoulders to get here tonight. Don’t forget to reach back and pull others forward. Don’t ever forget to say thank you to your families and 4-H agents and FFA advisors. Having your family beside you is invaluable,” McCall said.
Harper praised the youth for their work ethic.
“I grew up showing livestock like you, but unlike you, I never got to wear a state grand champion belt buckle, but I understand the work you did when no one else was watching,” Harper said. “You don’t get crowned a champion. You become a champion through discipline and hard work that you do outside the show ring.”
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 345 4-H and FFA members showed 672 goats in the 2025 Georgia Junior Market Goat Shows held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (GNFA) in Perry last October while the 2025 Georgia Jr. Market Lamb show drew 260 exhibitors who showed 527 lambs.
At the 2026 Ga. Jr. National Livestock Show, held Feb. 18-21 at the GNFA, 373 students showed 735 beef heifers; 173 students showed 247 market heifers or steers; 188 students showed 258 dairy heifers; 989 students showed 2,101 hogs (barrows and gilts); 186 students exhibited 346 ewes; 261 students showed 449 does.
GFB awarded a total of $19,000 in scholarships to the grand champion exhibitors who are: Market Goat Doe – Breeleigh Patrick, Effingham Co.; Market Goat Wether - Nora Kate Bacon, Colquitt Co.; Market Lamb Ewe - Carlie Christian, Franklin Co.; Market Lamb Wether - Gracen Aly Parker, Upson Co.; Breeding Doe - Libba Dykes, Colquitt Co.; Breeding Ewe - Cash Adams, Forsyth Co.; Market Barrow - Kelton Dovers, Atkinson Co.; Market Gilt - Maci Lynn, Decatur Co.; Commercial Dairy Heifer - Brooke Padgett, Hall Co.; Beef Heifer - Manning Marchant, Appling Co.; and Market Beef Cattle - Ella Hughey, Gordon Co.
Market Goat Doe – Breeleigh Patrick, Effingham County
South Effingham High School FFA member Breeleigh Patrick, of Guyton, won the 2025 Georgia Jr. Market Doe Goat Grand Champion scholarship prize of $1,500 Oct. 4, 2025, at the Georgia National Fair.
She is the daughter of Jake Patrick and Whitney Armstrong. Shannon Patrick and Richard Armstrong are her stepparents. Ben Richardson and Alisha Richardson are her FFA advisors.
Breeleigh was a freshman when she won last fall.
It was Breeleigh’s fourth year showing goats. She has also showed pigs and a lamb. She was encouraged to show by her middle school ag advisor C.J. Pinson and her dad, who showed livestock.
“Showing has shown me responsibility, patience and sportsmanship,” Breeleigh said. “I have made new friendships in the barn that will last a lifetime.”
She won with a Boer crossbred goat that she named Cruella because of the goat’s personality and because everyone thought the goat would stand out in the ring.
When it came to selecting her winning doe, Breeleigh said she and her family looked at the skeletal frame of the goat and the potential it had to grow out to be in time for the October fair show.
Nate Brookshire, a California native living in Illinois, judged the Georgia Jr. Market Doe Show.
Market Goat Wether – Nora Kate Bacon, Colquitt County
Colquitt County 4-H member Nora Kate Bacon exhibited the goat selected as the 2025 Georgia Jr. Market Wether Goat Grand Champion on Oct. 3, 2025, to earn a $1,500 scholarship.
Nora Kate, the daughter of Corey and Kelli Bacon, of Doerun, has been showing goats for four years. She also showed pigs for an additional year.
Nora Kate was a fifth grader at Brookwood School when she won last fall. Both of Nora Kate’s parents showed livestock and close family friends helped the family start showing goats. Valerie Bennett is Nora Kate’s 4-H agent.
Socializing with the other exhibitors and showmanship is what Nora Kate said she enjoys most about showing.
She won the grand championship with a Boer crossbred goat she named Ozzy because she liked the name and felt it fit her wether.
“I was looking for a wether who was stout, wide-chested and muscular,” Nora Kate said of what she was looking for when she chose the goat. “He required lots of working in the barn to get to where we wanted him to be. I learned that hard work in the barn at home pays off in the end.”
Nate Brookshire, a California native living in Illinois, judged the Georgia Jr. Market Wether Show.
Market Lamb Ewe – Carlie Christian, Franklin County
Franklin County 4-H member Carlie Christian exhibited the lamb selected as the 2025 Georgia Jr. Market Ewe Lamb Grand Champion on Oct. 5, 2025, to win a $1,000 scholarship.
Carlie, the daughter of Bryan and Leslie Christian, of Royston, has been showing lambs for nine years. She has shown livestock for ten years, also showing goats and pigs. Carlie’s 4-H agent is Raymond Fitzpatrick.
Carlie won with a black-face sheep she named Kahlua because she wanted a unique name for the ewe she selected because of its good structure.
“She was pretty easy to teach and get ready,” Carlie said.
Her advice for younger exhibitors is, “Just keep trying hard and working hard and the work will pay off.”
A rising senior, Carlie was a junior at Franklin County High School when she won the grand champion prize last fall. She also showed the 2021 Georgia Junior National Breeding Doe grand champion.
Carlie said what she enjoys most about showing is friends and traveling.
Wade Franklin from Texas judged the market lamb show.
Market Wether Lamb – Gracen Aly Parker, Upson County
Upson County 4-Her Gracen Aly Parker showed the sheep tapped as the 2025 Georgia Jr. Market Wether Lamb Grand Champion on Oct. 5, 2025, winning a $1,000 scholarship. The daughter of Sean and Lynn Parker, of Barnesville, Gracen Aly has been showing sheep for 10 years. Gracen Aly’s 4-H agent is Hailey Partain.
Gracen Aly won with a crossbred Hampshire she named DJ, which was short for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson because her wether had a lot of muscle and style.
When Gracen Aly was picking her wether, she said she was looking for an animal that balanced structural correctness, muscling and volume with potential.
“He was a little hardheaded and not the easiest to show, but he was a fun lamb to show,” Gracen Aly said.
A rising junior, Gracen Aly was a sophomore at St. George’s Episcopal School when she won the grand champion prize last fall.
Gracen Aly’s older brothers Gabe and Garrett inspired her to start showing sheep.
“Both my brothers, Gabe and Garrett showed lambs with Garrett winning Grand Champion Market Lamb in 2019,” Gracen Aly said. “I went to my first show at three months old. By the time I was one and a half years old, Gabe walked me into the Pee Wee Showmanship ring, and I couldn’t wait to get my own lamb to be just like my brothers.”
What she enjoys most about showing is the friendships she’s made.
When asked what she’s learned from showing livestock, Gracen Aly said, “Champions aren’t made in the ring. They are made at home in the early mornings and late nights working my sheep. I’ve also learned that lambs really like vanilla wafers and patience is key.”
Wade Franklin from Texas judged the market lamb show.
Breeding Ewe – Cash Adams, Forsyth County
Forsyth County FFA member Cash Adams showed the lamb picked as the 2026 Georgia Jr. Breeding Ewe Grand Champion on Feb. 21 to win a $1,000 scholarship.
The son of Bud and Annette Adams, of Cumming, Cash has been showing sheep for 12 years. He previously showed goats and pigs for a couple of years. This is the second consecutive year Cash has won this award. Bailey Hernandez is Cash’s FFA advisor.
Cash won with a blackface Hamp/Suffolk crossbred lamb named Journey.
“She actually came from the breeder with her name, but it was the right name for her,” Cash said. “They had been on a journey to produce one like her, and I had been on a long journey showing.”
Cash was a senior at North Forsyth High School when he won the grand champion prize earlier this year. This fall he plans to attend Athens Technical College to become a diesel mechanic. Cash also plans to remain in the sheep livestock sector and help other families with their show lambs.
When asked what advice he would give other exhibitors, Cash said, “When you commit to something, give it all you have. Never give up. Competition is a good thing!”
Cash said his older brother, Brayden, and sister, 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, “There are several things I enjoy about showing. I’ve made many friends in and out of state. I like to visit with them, some I only get to see at shows. I also like to fit and prep the lambs, and I like helping others with fitting, too. Mostly, I like the competition and pushing myself to be the best I can be.”
Cash said he was looking for a “well-balanced, structurally correct and adequately muscled ewe with a wow factor,” when he was selecting his grand champion winner. “The top and underlines and neck set are very important as well.”
Lane Hale of Texas judged the breeding ewe show.
Breeding Doe – Libba Dykes, Colquitt County
Colquitt County FFA member Libba Dykes won a $1,000 scholarship for showing the 2026 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Breeding Doe on Feb. 20. Libba won with a crossbred goat she named Diva because the doe was sassy and attractive.
She is the daughter of Wes and Alison Weaver Dykes of Moultrie. Jamie Hunter and Shelby Gore are Libba’s FFA advisors.
An eighth grader at the time of the show in February, Libba has been showing goats for six years. She has shown livestock for 10 years, also showing cattle and swine. She showed the 2025 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Beef - a Charolais steer.
“Thank you to everyone who helped me all season with my doe. It truly takes a village to make it all happen,” Libba said.
Libba said she was looking for a high-quality, balanced animal that would be an asset to a breeding program when she chose her project animal.
When it came to getting Diva ready for the show ring, Libba said, “Some days she was easy to train and others she acted like a stubborn goat.”
Showing livestock is a family tradition for Libba. 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 cows.
“I enjoy spending time with friends from around the state. I also enjoy working with my animal and getting them prepared to show,” Libba said when asked what she enjoys most about showing.
Sam Mattingly of Indiana judged the show.
Market Barrow – Kelton Dovers, Atkinson County
Atkinson County 4-Her Kelton Dovers earned a $1,500 scholarship for showing the 2026 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Market Barrow on Feb. 20. Kelton won with a crossbred hog named Chromeo.
“He had a chrome-colored pattern and looked like a real ladies’ man,” Kelton explained when asked how he came to name his hog.
A third grader at Pearson Elementary School at the time he won, Kelton has been showing pigs for four years. He is the son of AJ and Amber Dovers of Willacoochee. Andrea Stevenson is Kelton’s 4-H agent.
Kelton said his family choose Chromeo to show because he was structurally sound and had the extras that judges look for today – bone, the shag and a stout skull.
“He was easy to break, just a little slow to get going sometimes,” Kelton said of preparing Chromeo for the ring.
Kelton, who got into showing through friends and family, says his favorite thing about showing pigs is “winning and spending time with friends and family.”
His advice for other exhibitors is, “No matter what, always trust the process.”
Isaac Beamen of Indiana judged the market barrow show.
Market Gilt – Maci Lynn, Decatur County
Bainbridge Middle School FFA member Maci Lynn earned a $1,500 scholarship for exhibiting the 2026 Georgia Jr. Grand Champion Market Gilt Feb. 21. Maci won with a crossbred hog named Dottie for the many spots she had.
A sixth grader at the time she won, Maci has been showing pigs for seven years. She is the daughter of Jeff and Cara Lynn of Bainbridge. Ward Cole is Maci’s FFA advisor.
She followed her brothers Carson and Preston into showing pigs.
“My brothers have been showing pigs my whole life,” Maci said. “We have done this as a family for 15 years.”
When choosing her gilt, Maci said she was looking for “a pig that could walk good and had a lot of eye appeal.”
Maci said Dottie wasn’t the easiest pig to train.
“She was a little aggravating at first, but with time and patience she got better,” Maci said. “When we took her to shows she liked the show ring better than walking anywhere else.”
Maci says, “the bond I make with each one of my pigs each season,” is what she enjoys most about showing. Maci and Dottie’s bond was strong.
“Dottie did not want anyone but me to walk her or show her. My brothers tried walking her some, and she did not like them at all! Dottie and I had a special bond.”
Adam Beck of Indiana judged the market gilt show.
Commercial Dairy Heifer – Brooke Padgett, Hall County
Brooke Padgett, a North Hall FFA member, won the grand champion scholarship of $1,500, in the Georgia Jr. National Commercial Dairy Heifer Show on Feb. 20, with a Holstein.
This is the sixth year that Brooke, the daughter of Shane and Julie Padgett, showed dairy heifers. She was an eighth-grade student at North Hall Middle School when she won the award. Leigh Strawbridge is Brooke’s FFA advisor.
Brooke said she selected her winning heifer because she was “a good-structured animal that was dominant.”
She named her winning heifer Billy because she thought the name matched the Holstein’s chill and happy personality.
When it came to training Billy, Brooke said the process was “difficult.”
“Billy took some time. She was stubborn and wanted things her way, but as soon as she stepped into the show ring, she knew what she was meant to do,” Brooke said. “Showing Billy has taught me so much about myself and how to trust and have faith and also to have fun.”
Brooke has her older sister, Kiley, to thank for introducing her to showing dairy heifers.
“I got into showing through my big sister. She really inspired me,” Brooke said. “I would walk around the show barns and always knew I would show one day.”
Brooke plans to show or sell Billy’s calf to grow her own herd.
Katharine Knowlton of Virginia judged the commercial dairy heifer show.
Beef Heifer – Manning Marchant, Appling County
Appling County 4-H member Manning Marchant’s Chi Composite heifer, Sunny D, was selected the grand champion of the 2026 Georgia Jr. National Beef Heifer Show on Feb. 20. Manning won a $2,500 scholarship for showing the top beef heifer.
The son of Matt and Kelsey Marchant of Baxley, Manning has been showing beef heifers for two years. He began showing livestock five years ago with swine. Julie Bacon was Manning’s 4-H agent.
Manning was a fifth grader at Appling County Elementary Complex when he won the show in February. He lives on a beef cattle farm.
“Both of my parents showed livestock, which inspired me to give it a try myself,” Manning said. “Showing livestock has become something our entire family enjoys together.”
In picking out his beef heifer, Manning said he was looking for “a feminine, structurally sound heifer with strong show ring potential and the qualities needed to become a productive female in our herd.”
Manning named his heifer Sunny D because “Her mother’s name is Sunny, and I like to drink Sunny D’s.”
He admits his heifer wasn’t the easiest to train for the show ring.
“Sunny D was a high-spirited heifer and could be challenging to work with at times,” Manning said. “Through daily handling we gradually became a team. The many hours preparing Sunny D ultimately paid off.”
Fitting and grooming the animals is what Manning said he enjoys most about showing cattle.
Jeff and Lauren Jackson, a husband-and-wife team from Texas, judged the beef heifer show.
Market Beef Cattle – Ella Hughey, Gordon County
Ella Hughey, a Gordon County 4-Her, won a $5,000 scholarship for showing the 2026 Georgia Jr. National Grand Champion Market Beef - a Simmental steer.
Ella, who has been showing cattle for four years, is the daughter of Matthew and Helen Hughey of Calhoun. She was an eighth grader at Calhoun Middle School when she won the show Feb. 21. Tim Street is Ella’s 4-H agent.
She got into showing cattle when a family friend, who was showing, asked her to give it a shot. Ella says what she enjoys most about showing is, “the late nights in the barn at home or at a show being with the people I love and enjoy being around.”
When asked why she chose her grand champion steer, Ella said she was looking for “a quality animal and an animal that would cooperate in the ring and at home,” when she selected her winning steer, Thor.
“The summer he was bought, there was an accident that killed an Angus heifer. He was her replacement. Thor is the Norse god of storms and strength. He was given that name as a comeback statement to push back harder when life knocks you down,” Ella said.
Although Ella said Thor was “the easiest animal to work with that I have ever owned,” the experience of losing a heifer and then working with Thor taught Ella an important life lesson.
“Setbacks don’t always have to be bad. They can help in ways that may not be understood at the time,” Ella said.
Glen Martin of Texas judged the show.
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