From L-R, Champions, the Brown County Cinnamons consisting of members Levi Bailey, Madisen Enevoldsen, Annika Wyffels, Taylor Wyczawski, Calleigh Frederickson (coach), Reserve Champions, the Brown County Tans including Greta Bailey, Lillian Brandes, Chloe Johnson, and Kylie Fischer.

REDWOOD FALLS – Over 40 teams of youth from across central and southwestern Minnesota braved the snow drifts and icy roads to participate in the 4-H Regional Project Bowl in Redwood Falls March 11. This competition challenges teams of three to six youth by testing their knowledge on a variety of animal science topics including dog, horse, poultry, rabbit and general livestock.

Participants displayed a wide array of skills and experience in their respective species projects and competed at either the junior (grades 3-8) or senior (grades 4-12) levels.

In Redwood Falls, the horse and rabbit project teams tested their skills through quizzes in one-on-one and open rounds. The first participant to ‘buzz in’ with the correct answer earned points for their team. Many of this year’s participants were new to the project bowl competition and the subjects themselves.

The Brown County Cinnamons, named for the rabbit breed, went undefeated throughout the day. The Cinnamons consisted of Levi Bailey, Madisen Enevoldsen, Annika Wyffels, and Taylor Wyczawski and faced off with the Brown County Tans (also named for a breed of rabbit) for the Championship. The Tans included members Kylie Fischer, Lillian Brandes, Greta Bailey, and Chloe Johnson.

The Brown County Horse Bowl team, with captain Millie Lax, Avery Steffl, D’lya Todd, Kaylie Piehl, and Savannah Pennanen, also made a showing. After practicing hard this spring, they won one round and lost two.

All of the Brown County 4-H bowl teams began their practices for this competition over the winter. The two rabbit bowl teams were coached by Nicole Rustman, and the Horse team was coached by Julie Hellendrung. Volunteer Allysa Kelton emphasized the learning and leadership skills gained through the project bowl and added, “[The two Brown County teams] went against each other to determine the Champion and Reserve Champion in the final round. They were very good sports!”

Both Brown County Rabbit Project Bowl teams will go on to compete at the Minnesota State Project Bowl competition on April 15, 2023 in Sauk Rapids.