By Blake Jackson
The Pennsylvania Farm Show's Sale of Champions wasn't just about awarding top livestock – it was a launchpad for bright futures. For many young competitors, the auction marked their final bow, with the prize money fueling their academic pursuits.
Bayleigh Miller, a 17-year-old Lawrence County native, hit the jackpot with her grand champion market beef, Carlos. The $13,000 sale to Bell & Evans will pave the way for her biochemistry studies at Grove City College followed by medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Rylee Ewing, 18, also pocketed $6,000 for her reserve champion market swine, Boog, which she sold to Karns Foods. The future Penn State ag education and extension student attributed the hefty price tag to Boog's flashy personality (and maybe those ringside oinks).
Madison Bomgardner, another Nittany Lion in the making, topped the swine category with her grand champion sale, earning $10,000 from Hatfield. The ag science major described her winning pig as a friendly companion who made raising it a breeze.
McKenzie Stadtmiller, 18, pulled off a double victory, selling both her grand champion market goat and the coveted master showman title. Her goat brought in $5,200 from a consortium of buyers, while the master showman title fetched $4,800 from Fulton Bank and Bell & Evans.
Stadtmiller, who juggled showing with her studies at Black Hawk College's ag transfer program in Illinois, has been a Farm Show fixture since childhood. Though bittersweet, her future lies in judging livestock with Black Hawk's team, marking the end of her competitive career.
"It's going to be tough," she admitted, tears glistening in her eyes.
These are just a few of the stories that unfolded under the Sale of Champions spotlight, each showcasing the dedication and hard work of young farmers investing in their futures. The auction wasn't just about prize money; it was a testament to the passion, resilience, and bright minds driving the next generation of agriculture.
Photo Credit: pennsylvania-farm-show
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education, General