News : Chelsea Schminke\'s sheep, Jim Huber\'s beard among local honorees at State Fair

Jim Huber's beard. Chelsea Schminke's sheep.

Known in Vinton and Benton County, those were two of the winners in recent (and unrelated) contests at the Iowa State Fair.

Below are a few of the Benton County honorees from the State Fair

Sheep Show

Chelsea Schminke of Van Horne showed the Grand Champion Commercial Ewe Friday in the FFA Breeding Sheep show at the 2011 Iowa State Fair. Schminke's lamb topped the Commercial Ewe Lamb class prior to winning top honors.

Earning Reserve Grand Champion honors, Brandon Andresen of Keystone showed the Reserve Champion Commercial Ewe Lamb en route to claiming second overall.

Additional results below:

Champion Ewe Lamb – Chelsea Schminke, Van Horne

Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb – Brandon Andresen, Keystone

In Iowa State Fair Milking Shorthorn Show:

Senior Heifer Calf - Sept. 1to Nov. 30, 2010

5) Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne

Youth Earn Honors in FFA Breeding Swine Show at Iowa State Fair

Youth from across Iowa captured the spotlight at the FFA Breeding Swine Show on Friday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Champions in the FFA Breeding Swine Show included:

Champion Chester White Gilt – Jared Engelking, Keystone

Reserve Champion Chester White Gilt – John Engelking, Van Horne

Brown Swiss Show

Top dairies competed for honors in the Brown Swiss Dairy Cattle show judged Friday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Area results below:

Junior Heifer Calf - March 1 to May 31, 2011

3) Allen Ehrman, Blairstown

Senior Heifer Calf - Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2010

3) Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne

10) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City

Summer Yearling Heifer - June 1 to Aug. 31, 2010

9) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City

Junior Yearling Heifer - Mar. 1 to May 31, 2010

2) Schan-dale Holsteins, Newhall

Senior Yearling Heifer (not in milk) - Sept.1 to Nov. 30, 2009

7) Natalie, Mitchell & Wesley Hanson, La Porte City

Guernsey Show at Iowa State Fair

Senior Yearling Heifer (not in milk)-Sept.1 to Nov. 30, 2009

7) Sandridge Farm, Vinton

Whiskers Win Blue Ribbons in State Fair Beard Growing Contest

Men from across the state entered their whiskers in the Beard Growing contest Tuesday at the Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall during the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Longest

1) Harold Stephenson, Jr., Center Point

Unique

2) Jim Huber, Vinton

Beard with Costume

3) Jim Huber, Vinton

The contest was part of "Rural Americana Olde Tyme Competitions" in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall. A first prize of $5 and ribbons were awarded to each class.