Recognizing the involvement, dedication and passion of Minnesota's dairy youth.
The Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase is a unique recognition program that provides cash awards to recognize the involvement, passion and dedication of Minnesota’s 4-H dairy youth. The program would not be possible without the support of businesses and organizations committed to the future of the Minnesota’s dairy industry. The 4-H Dairy Showcase takes place at the conclusion of the Minnesota State Fair 4-H livestock encampment.
The 2025 Dairy Showcase brochure and sponsor recognition are available on the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association website.
Application deadline
Leadership profiles will be due by 11: 59 p.m. on Aug. 18.
For participants
State fair 4-H dairy cattle exhibitors who receive a purple or blue ribbon in their class will qualify for the showcase. Points will be earned for their involvement and success with the state fair interview process, dairy project bowl, dairy judging contest and showmanship. Youth will also complete an online leadership portfolio that awards points in the areas of 4-H and dairy industry involvement and leadership, along with community, school or faith based involvement. The portfolios will be judged by a panel of anonymous judges. All of these things will be compiled in a scorecard format. The top 25 applicants and up to 10 of highest scoring intermediate applicants will be announced Saturday evening following the dairy show.
The Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase planning committee annually reviews the Dairy Showcase program to assure it reflects the program's original intent.
- Dairy Showcase fact sheet - Best practices for filling out the leadership profile
- 2025 scorecard
Leadership profile application
- 2025 leadership profile application worksheet - use this downloadable worksheet to plan your responses into the required online application.
- Submit your 2025 leadership profile application online - use this link to complete the online leadership profile. This submission includes the photo upload (see below). After you have completed the form (but before you submit), you will be given the opportunity to print your submission for your records. If you have any difficulties with the online leadership profile, please contact Samantha Schindler at [email protected].
- Photo – If selected for the 4-H Dairy Showcase or the Rising Star Program, you will be asked to send a photo of yourself in a jpeg or PNG format to be featured in the slideshow.
The deadline to complete and submit a leadership profile application is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18.
As one of the top 25 or as a Rising Star, you will be recognized on the Sunday of livestock weekend at an event recognizing you, while also celebrating the Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase! Selected youth will receive a monetary award as a thank you for being part of our industry's bright future! The amount of each monetary award will be based on a sliding scale, determined by the total amount of money donated during the year.
Recognition for younger youth
Rising Stars is a program within the showcase. This program offers youth in grades 6-8 the opportunity to be recognized for their work as they continue to gain experience in the 4-H dairy program.
The easy-to-complete online leadership portfolio (see "How do I apply", above) will ask about involvement and leadership in the dairy industry, 4-H, community, faith-based and school. Questions will give youth the opportunity to share what they have learned in the dairy project this past year and goals for the upcoming year.
Leadership profiles are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18.
Leadership profile judging
- Judges will work in teams of two to evaluate and score profiles, ensuring scoring consistency.
- There are improved and expanded instructions provided to 4-H members on how best to prepare their leadership profile. This will include tips for completing the profile and emphasize the importance of “describing your impact”.
There is no grade limit.
All 4-H state fair dairy exhibitors are eligible and encouraged to apply, as long as their animal has received a purple or blue ribbon in their respective class that year and they value the experiences the dairy industry has offered them.
There is no limit to the number of times a 4-Her can be recognized in the showcase.
Theresa Reps
Committee co-chair
[email protected]
Bob Sheehan
Committee co-chair
[email protected]
Steve Pooch
Committee finance chair
[email protected]
651-323-4210
Other Dairy Showcase steering committee members
Patrick Jirik
Extension educator, Rochester Regional Center
[email protected]
Bradley W Rugg
[email protected]
Sarah Schmidt
[email protected]
Lana Beckard
[email protected]
Sherry Newell
[email protected]
Gabriella Houdek
[email protected]
Isaac Haagen
[email protected]