Brenda Besse an AgrAbility Unlimited Ambassador and the AgrAbility Unlimited organization were awarded the Governor's PATH Award. PATH stands for "People Are Today's Heroes". The award was presented by Chuck Hartke, Illinois Director of Agriculture. Brenda has worked with the AgrAbility Unlimited organization since 1991 assisting individuals injured in farming accidents and individuals with disabilities return to agriculture.

AgrAbility Unlimited clients find Brenda a friend and advisor that they can trust and respect. Brenda herself lost her lower right leg in a combine accident in 1981 at the age of 23. Brenda now runs Brierwood Dairy Farm that raises Champion Brown Swiss Cattle, at Hillsdale, Illinois. She is a key part of the AgrAbility Unlimited organization. Her inspiration and wonderful personality has helped many farm families succeed through desperate times of their lives.

AgrAbility Unlimited of Illinois, based in Decatur, is a joint venture between the University of Illinois Extension and Easter Seals. The organization was established in the 1990 Farm Bill and is one of 25 state organizations in the country. The program has helped more that 700 Illinois farmers through direct case management and thousands more through information and referral service.

Chuck Hartke, Illinois Director of Agriculture, stated in his comments that "farming is a dangerous profession". In the United States 200 farm accidents occur every year. Mike Brokaw, Program Manger of AgrAbility Unlimited, stated that the organization also helps individual with disabilities due to non-accident related causes. For more information please contact AgrAbility Unlimited at (217) 429-1052.

This years 4-H Fair was a great success. 4-H has expanded to include many new activities for both agricultural and urban young people. The six day fair provided hundreds of 4-H er's in Macon County with an opportunity to show there skills in a large number of events. The hard work of the youth staff and the 4-H volunteers provides excellent opportunities for the youth of Macon County. Below is a list of this years winners

Award­ Name­ Club­

Grand Champion Steer Overall­ Evan Leeper ­ Willow Creek­

Res. Grand Champion Steer Overall­ Joseph Lash­ M-Team­

Grand Champion Heifer Overall­ J.C. Walker ­ Long Creek Critters­

Res. Grand Champion Heifer Kristen Walker ­ Long Creek Critters­

Beef Showmanship–Junior­Kristen Walker ­ Long Creek Critters­

Beef Showmanship–Senior­ JC Walker ­ Long Creek Critters­

Grand Champion Market Lamb­Chase Brown ­ Warrensburg Liberty Belles and Beaus­

Sheep Jr. Showmanship­ Chase Brown­ Warrensburg Liberty Belles and Beaus­

Champion Goat­ Brogan McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Reserve Champion Goat­ Evan Leeper­ Willow Creek­

Champion Pygmy Goat­ Evan Leeper­ Willow Creek­

Reserve Champion Pygmy Goat­ Patrick McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Grand Champion Gilt­ Jeffery Reed­ M-Team­

Grand Champion Barrow­ Ashley Guntle­ M-Team­

Grand Champion Pair of Barrows­ Jeffery Reed­ M-Team­

Swine Senior Showmanship­Eric Leonard­ Willow Creek­

Grand Champion Meat Pen Rabbits­ Keith Owens­ Austinets­

Reserve Grand Champion Meat Pen­ Kaylee Keyes­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Breeding Pen Rabbits­ David Nihiser­ Mighty Meridians­

Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Pen Rabbits­ Anna Keyes­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Light Weight Rabbit­ Brogan McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Reserve Grand Champion Light Weight Rabbit­ Kaylee Keyes­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Best of Show Rabbit­ Kaitlyn Foulks­ Mighty Meridians­

Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show Rabbit­ Brogan McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Grand Champion Heavy Weight Rabbit­ Kaitlyn Foulks­ Mighty Meridians­

Reserve Grand Champion Heave Weight Rabbit­ Keith Owens­ Austinets­

Rabbit Jr. Showmanship­ Keith Owens­ Austinets­

Rabbit Sr. Showmanship­ Brogan McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Best of Show Poultry­ Jessica Sugden­ A & O Producers­

Champion Meat Pen Poultry­ Jessica Sugden­ A & O Producers­

Rabbit Jr. Showmanship­ Keiran O'Brien­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Rabbit Sr. Showmanship­ Jessica Sugden­ A & O Producers­

Best Aerospace Exhibit­ Andrew Gibbons­ Greenhouse Explorers­

Best "Homemade" Rocket­ Cameron Hays­ A & O Producers­

Best of Show–Fiber­ Alyssa Philips­ Austinets­

Best of Show– Sketching­ Kelsey Edgecombe­ Austinets­

Best of Show–Oils­ Tricia Chenoweth­ Willow Creek­

Award­ Name­ Club­

Best of Show–Water Color­ Andrea Rohde­ Leadership Pride­

Best of Show–Nature­ Lacy Williams­ Mission Possible­

Best of Show–Leather, Wood­ Zachary New­ Homesteaders­

Best of Show–Clay­ Elizabeth Mueller­ Macon County Roundups­

Best of Show–Glass, Plastic­ Courtney Ellis­ Macon County Roundups­

Best of Show–Metal­ Boone Hois­ Willow Creek­

Best of Show–Paper­ Deborah Corwin­ Decatur Discoverers­

Best of Show–Computer Art­ Becky Smith­ Hill Climbers­

Best of Show–Heritage Arts­ Micah Corwin­ Decatur Discoverers­

Best of Show–Knitting­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best of Show–Scrapbooking­ Katherine Chenoweth­ Willow Creek­

Gallery 510 Award­ Mandy Dunakey­ Willow Creek­

Best of Show–Overall­ Kelsey Edgecombe­ Austinets­

Best Flower Arranging­ Heather Costerisan­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best First Year Arrangement­ Abbie Keith­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Use of Roadside Materials­ Mallory Keith­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Financial Champion Exhibit­ Brogan McKinney­ Homesteaders­

Best Entomology Display­ Rebecca Corwin­ Decatur Discoverers­

Best Geology Display­ Courtney Ellis­ Macon County Roundups­

Best Dairy Exhibit­ Ginette Starshak­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best Breads Exhibit­ Katherine Chenoweth­ Willow Creek­

Best Pastry Exhibit­ Ginette Starshak­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best Preservation­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Int'l Food Exhibit­ Heather Costerisan­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best Fruits & Vegetables Exhibit­ Alyssa Philips­ Austinets­

Best Food Demonstration­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Cookie Jar­ Olivia Wernecke­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Food Decorating­ Breanna Carico­ Leadership Pride­

Best Creative Baking­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Meat & Other Protein ­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Horticulture Poster­ Jennifer Kappenman­ Long Creek Critters­

Best Vegetable or Fruit Plate­ Keith Owen­ Austinets­

Best House Plant Exhibit­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Flower Gardening Exhibit­ Rachel Crose­ Forsyth Fantastics­

Best Vegetable or Fruit Basket­ Boone Hois­ Willow Creek­

Best Herb Exhibit­ Sarah Starshak­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best Interior Design­ Breah O'Laughlin­ Mighty Meridians­

Best Health Display­ Rebecca Carlson­ Austinets­

Best Performing Arts Exhibit­ Sabrina Ferrill­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best Passport to the World­ Daniel Andrews­ Mt Zion Eagles­

Best First Year Photography­ Kayla Heis­ Maroa Livestock­

Best Photography I­ Dylan Sturgell­ Leadership Pride­

Best Photography II­ Katherine Chenoweth­ Willow Creek­

Best Exhibit/Art (Recycle)­ Alyssa Philips­ Austinets­

Best Artwork (Recycle)­ Mandy Dunakey­ Willow Creek­

Award­ Name­ Club­

Best Walk in My Shoes Exhibit­ Alyssa Philips­ Austinets­

Jr. Horse Showmanship­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

Sr. Horse Showmanship­ Victoria Taraszewski­ Greenhouse Explorers­

Grand Champion 5yr & Under­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Hunter Pony­ Jillian Dort­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Stock Pony­ Victoria Taraszewski­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Hunter Horse­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Walk-Trot H­ Paige Meredith­ Macon County Roundups­

Grand Champion Walk-Trot P­ Katherine Boorstein­ Macon County Roundups­

Reining­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

Trail Class­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

Rookie Showmanship­ Jillian Dort­ Macon County Roundups­

Open Bareback­ Jillian Dort­ Macon County Roundups­

High Point Horse­ Kim Stout­ Macon County Roundups­

High Point Pony–tie­ Jillian Dort ­ Macon County Roundups­

High Point Pony–tie­ Victoria Taraszewski­ Macon County Roundups­

Reserve High Point Horse­ Breanna Carico­ Leadership Pride­

Reserve High Point Pony­ Rebecca Boorstein­ Macon County Roundups­

Sportsmanship Award­ Victoria Taraszewski­ Greenhouse Explorers­

Best Science Display­ Allie Watts­ Austinets­

Best Bicycle Rodeo­ Sam Bruer­ Macon County ­

Best Bicycle Display­ Brian Smith­ Forsyth Fantastics­

Champion Cat­ Kathryn Zienkosky­ Maroa Livestock­

Reserve Champion­ Amanda Lehn­ Warrensburg Liberty Belles and Beaus­

Best Car Care Exhibit­ Rachel Crose­ Forsyth Fantastics­

Best Conservation Exhibit­ Grant Phillips­ Austinets­

Best Computer Exhibit­ Eric Burgett­ Austinets­

Best Child Development Exhibit­ Hannah Carlson­ Austinets­

Best Leadership Exhibit­ Katherine Chenoweth­ Willow Creek­

Best Citizenship Exhibit­ Willow Creek­ ­

Best Corn Exhibit­ Evan Leeper­ Willow Creek­

Best Woodworking Exhibit­ Andrew Gibbons­ Greenhouse Explorers­

Best Small Engine Exhibit­ Boone Hois­ Willow Creek­

Best Soybean Exhibit­ Hayley Bunselmeyer­ Maroa Livestock­

Champion Dog­ Kaylee Keyes­ Argonauts­

Reserve Champion Dog­ Lane Burris­ Greenhouse Explorers­

Best Dog Care Exhibit­ Andrea Rohde­ Leadership Pride­

Highest Scoring Dog–Dog Care­ Kaylee Keyes­ Argonauts­

Highest Scoring Dog–Dog Care Exhibit­ Andrea Rohde­ Leadership Pride­

Best Electricity Exhibit­ Alex Philllips­ Austinets­