Illinois Youth Wins Holstein Award
Published: Friday, January 10, 2020
Connor Erbsen of Lanark, Ill. is the 2019 recipient of the Holstein Assn. USA's National Judi Collinsworth Outstanding Junior Exhibitor Award. The Collinsworth Award is presented annually in honor of the association's former executive director of member and industry services, Judi Collinsworth.
The award recognizes youths' work and involvement with Holstein cattle and dairy activities. Recipients are selected based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship, participation in Holstein and other agricultural activities, as well as an essay describing what they have learned while exhibiting registered Holstein cattle. The winners at each of the National Junior Holstein Shows receive a $250 cash prize and the overall winner receives an additional $500 scholarship.
Erbsen, 19, is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying agronomy alongside ag systems technology and animal science. He is active in the dairy science club, agronomy club, ag systems technology club and in the beginning farmers network. Representing Iowa State, Connor serves as the Midwest ADSA competitions committee member.
Erbsen has participated widely in his state and county Holstein organizations. As a member of the Illinois Junior Holstein Assn., he was a 2015 Young Distinguished Junior Member finalist and has participated in Dairy Bowl on local, state and national levels, as well as Dairy Jeopardy and dairy judging. He was the captain of the winning 2015 National Junior Dairy Bowl team. Connor plans to work with and mentor young people both in and out of the showring to strengthen the dairy industry and the Holstein breed.
One Judi Collinsworth Award recipient is selected at each of the four National Junior Holstein Shows. Erbsen won the award at International National Junior Holstein Show. Other winners from 2019 National Junior Holstein Shows are Caitlin Cox, Ind., Grand National Junior Holstein Show; Zachary Paul, Ill., Southern Spring National Junior Holstein Show; and Taylor Wolf, Pa., Premier National Junior Holstein Show.
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