August 29, 2012, The 2012 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program was held August 18, at the Illinois State Fair. Twenty 4-H and FFA dairy project members from across Illinois took part in the event. The purpose of the contest is to create an educational activity that promotes youth development, career development, and personal growth through increased knowledge of the dairy industry.

This three-phase competition, emphasizing the youth’s knowledge of the dairy industry, awarded each of the top five overall participants with a $1,000 scholarship. The 2012 scholarship recipients were: Carol Baumann, Wyoming, IL (Stark County), Anna Folgate, Dakota, IL (Stephenson County), Kaleb Hoerbert, Delavan, IL (Tazewell County), Todd Irwin, Beason, IL (Logan County), and Daniel Obert, Orangeville, IL (Stephenson County).

The $5,000 in scholarships was sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, IL. Individual plaques were awarded to the “top 3” in each phase and the “top 5” overall winners. The Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association and Illinois State Fair sponsored the plaques.

This year marked the 17th consecutive year for the Superior Young Dairy Producer Award Program which has provided $85,000 in college scholarships to Illinois dairy youth since its inception. Participants must be 4-H or FFA dairy project members in Illinois. The program is developed and coordinated by Dave Fischer, University of Illinois Retired Extension Dairy Educator.