JEFFERSON COUNTY, IOWA — Youth exhibitors from across Jefferson County demonstrated outstanding horsemanship, sportsmanship, and dedication at the recent 4-H Horse Show. Competing across multiple disciplines—from halter and showmanship to speed events—these 4-Hers represented their clubs with pride. Below are the top results from this year’s event:

Halter Division

Pony Mares (35-56 inches)

• 1st – Wayne Wiley (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Reserve Champion Pony

Pony Gelding (35-56 inches)

• 1st – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Champion Pony

Horse, Mares 8 Years & Above (Quarter Horse or Stock Type)

• 1st – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Champion Horse
• 2nd – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Red
  • Reserve Champion Horse
• 3rd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Red

All Other Breeds (Not QH/Stock Type)

• 1st – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Champion Horse – Other Breed
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Reserve Champion Horse – Other Breed
• 3rd – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Blue

Horse Showmanship Division

Senior Showmanship

• 1st – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Senior Horse Showmanship Champion
• 2nd – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – White

Intermediate Showmanship

• 1st – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Blue
  • Intermediate Horse Showmanship Champion
• 2nd – Wayne Wiley (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White
• 3rd – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White

Junior Showmanship

• 1st – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – White
  • Junior Horse Showmanship Champion
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – White

Performance Division

Driving – Pony Class

• 1st – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue

Trail – Senior Class

• 1st – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Red

Trail – Intermediate Class

• 1st – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Red

Trail – Junior Class

• 1st – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Red
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Red

Pleasure & Equitation Division

Walk-Trot Pony Class

• 1st – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue

Walk-Trot Horse Class

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White
• 3rd – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – White
• 4th – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – White

Pony Pleasure (English or Western)

• 1st – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – White
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – White

Western Pleasure

• 1st – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White
• 2nd – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – White

Ranch Horse Western Pleasure

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White

Ranch Riding

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – White

Horsemanship – Senior

• 1st – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Red

Horsemanship – Intermediate

• Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Red
• Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Red

Horsemanship – Junior

• 1st – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Red
• 2nd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Red

Speed Division

Pole Bending (Trot)

• 1st – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Red

Pole Bending

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue

Barrels (Trot)

• 1st – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Blue

Barrels

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue

Plug Race

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 4th – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 5th – Gabriella Diers (Walnut Ridge Workers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 6th – Canaan Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue

Flag Race

• 1st – Kate Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 2nd – Peyton Freeman (Ceniteers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 3rd – John Miller (Future Leaders, Jefferson) – Blue
• 4th – Brooklyn Headley (Des Moines Ramblers, Jefferson) – Blue
• 5th (tie) – Gabriella Diers & Canaan Freeman – Red

Congratulations to all exhibitors for their hard work, preparation, and commitment. The 2025 Jefferson County 4-H Horse Show was a true celebration of youth development, horsemanship, and county pride. Special thanks to volunteers, parents, and judges who made this event possible. We can’t wait to see what these talented riders will accomplish next!

A huge thanks to our Jefferson County Fair sponsors for making this fair coverage possible:

• Graber Services
• H&R Block
• Hinshaw Trailers of Richland
• Keosauqua Lumber of Keosauqua and Fairfield
• Merschman Seed
• Mt. Pleasant Chevy, GMC, CDJR
• Sinclair Tractor
• Yotty’s Golf Cars

Jefferson County, IA – The barns were bustling and competition fierce as local youth showcased their livestock expertise during the Goats (Dairy and Meat) and Sheep events at this year’s Jefferson County Fair. With dozens of entries across breeding, market, carcass, showmanship, and bottle classes, a few standout individuals walked away with top honors.

Grand Champions & Reserve Champions

Breeding Goats

• Grand Champion Breeding Meat Goat: Blake Sobaski (Fairfield FFA), entry #1036 – Breeding Does Under 1 Year of Age
• Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Meat Goat: Scout Lock (Packwood Trojans), entry #542

Market Goats

• Grand Champion Market Meat Goat: Blake Sobaski (Fairfield FFA), entry #1035
• Reserve Grand Champion Market Meat Goat: Bryan Meixner (Ceniteers), entry #627

Carcass Goats

• Champion Carcass Goat: Clae Cass (Fairfield FFA), entry #216

Breeding Lambs

• Grand Champion Breeding Lamb: Scout Lock (Pekin FFA), commercial ewe lamb #541
• Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Lamb: Scout Lock (Pekin FFA), purebred ewe lamb #543

Market Lambs

• Grand Champion Market Lamb: Emily White (Fairfield FFA), entry #262
• Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb: Madisyn Woodburn (Fairfield FFA), entry #1324

Carcass Lambs

• Champion Carcass Lamb: Ava McArtor (Des Moines Ramblers), entry #1019

Pen of Three Lambs

• Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs: Gabe Conner (Leading Hands), pen #94
• Reserve Champion Pen of 3 Market Lambs: William Vanderhorst (Pekin FFA), pen #1139

Top Rate of Gain Awards

• Goat: Joseph Lanman (Packwood Trojans), entry #1449
• Sheep: Gabe Conner (Leading Hands), entry #91

Bottle Goats & Bottle Lambs

Junior Division (Grades 4–6)

Bucket-Bottle Goats

• Champion Junior Bucket-Bottle Goat: Layla Cline (Leading Hands), entry #538
• Reserve Champion Junior Bucket-Bottle Goat: Eli Carlson (Des Moines Ramblers), entry #1303
• Other Notable Placings:
  • Joseph Lanman (Packwood Trojans), entry #1455 – Blue, 4th
  • Finn Schafer (Leading Hands), entry #102 – Blue, 3rd

Bucket-Bottle Lambs

• Champion Junior Bucket-Bottle Lamb: Brenna Miller (Ceniteers), entry #373
• Reserve Champion Junior Bucket-Bottle Lamb: Blake Miller (Ceniteers), entry #374
• Other Notable Placings:
  • Scarlett McKee (Leading Hands), entry #737 – Red, 4th
  • Joseph Lanman (Packwood Trojans), entry #1456 – Blue, 3rd

Intermediate Division (Grades 7–9)

Bucket-Bottle Goats

• Champion Intermediate Bucket-Bottle Goat: Kagan Vannoy (Leading Hands), entry #703

Bucket-Bottle Lambs

• Champion Intermediate Bucket-Bottle Lamb: Carson Stagers (Packwood Trojans), entry #334
• Reserve Champion Intermediate Bucket-Bottle Lamb: Kagan Vannoy (Leading Hands), entry #702

Return Bottle Lambs

• Champion Return Bottle Lamb: Kagan Vannoy (Leading Hands), entry #701

 Showmanship Winners

Meat Goat Showmanship

• Senior Champion: Kale McBeth (Packwood Trojans)
• Intermediate Champion: Scout Lock (Packwood Trojans)

Dairy Goat Showmanship

• Junior Champion: KaliAnn Nupp (Leading Hands)
• Intermediate Champion: Joseph Lanman (Packwood Trojans)

Noteworthy Performances by Club

• Fairfield FFA dominated both goat and sheep categories, led by standout exhibitors Blake Sobaski and Emily White.
• Packwood Trojans excelled in showmanship and multiple market and breeding categories, including Scout Lock and Joseph Lanman.
• Pekin FFA had a strong presence in lamb classes with multiple wins by Scout Lock and William Vanderhorst.
• Leading Hands stood out in bottle and showmanship divisions, with strong performances from Layla Cline, Kagan Vannoy, Gabe Conner, and KaliAnn Nupp.

This year’s fair clearly showcased the hard work and dedication of Jefferson County youth. Congratulations to all participants for an outstanding exhibition!

A huge thanks to our Jefferson County Fair sponsors for making this fair coverage possible:

• Graber Services
• H&R Block
• Hinshaw Trailers of Richland
• Keosauqua Lumber of Keosauqua and Fairfield
• Merschman Seed
• Mt. Pleasant Chevy, GMC, CDJR
• Sinclair Tractor
• Yotty’s Golf Cars

Presenter information:

Mary Charlton, PhD

Professor, University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology

Director, Iowa Cancer Registry

Whitney Zahnd

Assistant Professor, University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy

Past-president of the Iowa Rural Health Association

About the Project: Iowa has the second highest rate of new cancer in the U.S. The Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project is a public health initiative aimed at enhancing cancer education and community engagement across all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Representatives from the 99 Counties Project will share the latest cancer data related to Henry County and provide residents with an opportunity to voice concerns or suggestions.

Cancer in Henry County:

In looking at the cancer rates for Henry County, we noted the top 5 cancers are:

• #1 Female breast cancer. Age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rate for Henry County (117 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (136.9 per 100,000) and national (129.8 per 100,000) rates.
• #2 Prostate cancer. The age-adjusted prostate cancer incidence rate for Henry County (104.4 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (125.9 per 100,000) and national (113.2 per 100,000) rates.
• # 3 Lung cancer. The age-adjusted lung cancer incidence rate for Henry County (61.9 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (60.8 per 100,000) and national (53.1 per 100,000) rates.
• #4 Uterine (endometrial) Cancer. Age-adjusted uterine cancer incidence rate for Henry County (50.9 per 100,000) is statistically higher than the state (30.3 per 100,000) and national (27.8 per 100,000) rates.
• #5 Colorectal Cancer. The age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence rate for Henry County (39.4 per 100,000) is statistically similar to the state (39.9 per 100,000) and national (36.4 per 100,000) rates.

Additional Support and Resources: To help understand and address cancer in Iowa communities, there are several resources available. A resource guide is available on our website: www.iowacancerregistry.org/99

The Iowa Cancer Plan has identified the following strategies to significantly reduce the burden of cancer in Iowa:

• Effective tobacco prevention policies (e.g., increasing the cigarette tax rate) and smoking cessation treatment
• Radon mitigation strategies
• Policies that increase opportunities for sun protection in outdoor settings, increase awareness about skin cancer prevention and screening, or decrease use of indoor tanning beds could reduce melanoma rates. As of Jan. 2024, 44 states have laws that restrict minor’s use of commercial tanning devices, 20 of which completely ban use of tanning beds for minors. Iowa has no laws restricting use of tanning beds by minors.
• Policies to decrease alcohol consumption and binge drinking
• Enhancing opportunities for Iowans to access nutritious food and be physically active

Questions: icr-99countiesproject@uiowa.edu

Slides to the presentation will be posted on our website after the conclusion of the meeting: www.iowacancerregisty.org/99

Hay Day at McNay! Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Henry County invites you to the McNay Research Farm on July 8th for a Field Demonstration Day showcasing a variety of haying equipment in action! This is a great opportunity to connect with equipment representatives, ISU field agronomists, and beef specialists. Enjoy a full day of hands-on learning and networking. The McNay Research Farm is located at 45249 170^th Ave., Chariton, Iowa.

Click the link and register by July 3rd! https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/…/hay-day-mcnay…

Iowans will see new state laws take effect this week, on Tuesday, July 1^st.

New laws include banning drivers from holding cell phones; prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and remove gender identity protections from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

July 1^st is the beginning of the state’s fiscal year.

Some laws, such as Governor Kim Reynold’s restriction on cell phones during K-12 classes, technically take effect July 1 but will effectively begin when the new school year starts.

Here are a handful of laws going into effect this week:

Gender identity protections will be removed from the Iowa Civil Rights Act

The Iowa Civil Rights Act will no longer protect Iowans from discrimination based on their gender identity beginning July 1, making Iowa the first state in the country to take away civil rights from a group it previously protected in law. Lawmakers added protection from discrimination based on gender identity in 2007. Those protections end July 1.

(It removes gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which protects Iowans against discrimination in housing, employment, education and more.

The civil rights act, first enacted in 1965, bans discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion and disability.)

Holding a cell phone while driving will become illegal

Iowa joins 30 other states in banning the use of cell phones or electronic devices while driving,  except in hands-free or voice-activated mode.

Although the new law takes effect July 1, law enforcement will only issue warnings for violations until Jan. 1, 2026.

Starting in 2026, violating the law will be punishable by a fine of $100, up from $45. Someone who causes a serious injury will be subject to a $500 fine and and possible suspension of their driver’s license, while someone who causes a death will receive a $1,000 fine.

The law contains exceptions, including for public safety officials, health care workers responding to an emergency, utility workers, public transit workers and “a person operating an implement of husbandry” such as farm equipment for livestock.

State, city and school DEI programs will be banned

State agencies, local governments, public universities, community colleges and school districts  face sweeping new restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts or DEI

A new law bans state and local government entities from spending any money on diversity, equity and inclusion offices or employees dedicated to DEI, beginning July 1.

Republicans have made it a priority to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying they discriminate against certain groups. Democrats say DEI programs provide necessary supports for students and employees that allow them to succeed and feel welcome.

State employees will get paid parental leave for the first time

State government employees will, for the first time, receive paid time off when they have a child under.

The law will now guarantee state workers four weeks of paid maternity leave and one week of paid paternity leave after the birth of a child. It also gives four weeks of paid leave to state employees who adopt a child.

Previously, state workers received no dedicated paid time off for the birth of a child — a policy that increasingly put Iowa at odds with other states.

18-year-olds can buy handguns as purchasing age drops from 21

Iowans can own and carry handguns as soon as they turn 18. The new law drops the down from the previous age of 21. Iowa law already allows those who are 18 years old or older to purchase long guns, such as a shotgun or rifle.

Medicaid will no longer cover gender-affirming surgeries or hormone therapies

Gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies for transgender Iowans will no longer be covered by Iowa’s Medicaid program under new restrictions taking effect.

Republicans included language in the state’s health and human services budget banning Medicaid from paying for surgeries and hormone therapies.

Medicaid will still cover mental health counseling to treat gender dysphoria.

(From 2015 through 2024, the state and federal government spent more than $3.3 million on gender-affirming medical care for transgender Iowans through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.)

Local governments can’t ban shooting off fireworks on July 3^rd, 4th of July, or New Year’s Eve

Pharmacy benefit managers will face new regulations

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) will face stricter regulations under a new law intended to help financially struggling pharmacies.

The law includes requiring PBMs to reimburse pharmacies at the national average drug acquisition cost and establishing a baseline dispensing fee of $10.68 for every drug a pharmacy provides.

The law also says pharmacy benefit managers cannot prohibit or limit someone from selecting a certain pharmacy or pharmacist if that pharmacy is covered by their health insurance. And it prevents PBMs from charging different copayment amounts or providing smaller reimbursement rates at one pharmacy or another.

A $1.2 billion unemployment tax cut for businesses will kick in

Starting July 1, businesses will begin to see the benefits of a tax cut on the money they pay into Iowa’s unemployment trust fund.

The law cuts in half the amount of wages on which businesses pay unemployment taxes, lowers the current maximum unemployment tax rate from 7% to 5.4% and reduces the number of tax tables.

In all, the measure is expected to reduce taxes for businesses by nearly $1.2 billion over five years.

Election officials will gain new tools to verify voters’ citizenship

Election workers and the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office will have new ways of verifying voters’ citizenship status to avoid repeating the chaos leading up to the 2024 election when thousands of voters were flagged as possible noncitizens.

Currently, election workers can challenge voters on their age and residency, with the new law beginning July 1, voters can be challenged on the basis of their citizenship status.

The law also gives the Secretary of State’s Office the ability to contract with “state and federal government agencies and private entities” to check voters’ records. And it requires the Iowa Department of Transportation to send the Secretary of State’s Office a list of everyone 17 years old and older who has submitted documentation to the DOT saying they are not a citizen.