DESOTO PARISH, La. — DeSoto Parish 4-H members made an impressive showing at the 2026 State Fair of Louisiana, earning numerous championship titles, top placements, and recognition in livestock exhibitions, poultry competitions, and the Nutrition Quiz Bowl.
From experienced exhibitors celebrating successful senior years to first-time participants stepping into the show ring, DeSoto 4-H members demonstrated their dedication to agriculture, livestock management, and the development of valuable life skills.
The parish’s young exhibitors collected awards across several divisions, including market goats, breeding goats, sheep, swine, and poultry, while also earning opportunities to participate in the Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council (ALTAC) Livestock Sale.
Hayden Hardy Earns Multiple Championship Titles
DeSoto 4-H member Hayden Hardy enjoyed an exceptional senior year at the State Fair, collecting an impressive list of championship honors.
Hardy earned Senior Champion Showman and Overall Champion Market Goat Showman, along with the Grand Champion Market Goat and Grand Champion Wether Dam titles.
Additional accomplishments included Lightweight Louisiana Bred Champion, Medium Weight Champion, Middle/Heavyweight Champion, Heavyweight Champion, Reserve Champion Percentage Doe, Reserve Champion Louisiana Bred Percentage Doe, and Champion Hampshire Market Lamb.
Hardy’s accomplishments highlighted a successful final year of State Fair competition.
Avery Notarianni Earns Multiple Placements and Qualifies for ALTAC Sale
Avery Notarianni also delivered a strong performance across goat and sheep competitions.
Notarianni earned 10th place in Market Goat Showmanship, sixth place in Meat Breeding Goat Showmanship, seventh place in the Medium Weight Market Goat division, and fourth place in the Meat Breeding Percentage Doe division.
In sheep competition, Notarianni captured first place in Market Lamb Showmanship and fourth place in the Medium Weight Market Lamb division.
The fourth-place market lamb finish also qualified Notarianni for the ALTAC Livestock Sale, marking another significant accomplishment at the State Fair.
Jenna Bamburg Claims Reserve Grand Champion Honors
Jenna Bamburg earned two major awards in market goat competition, securing Reserve Grand Champion Overall Louisiana Bred Market Goat and Reserve Champion Overall Market Goat.
The achievements placed Bamburg among the top competitors in the respective divisions and reflected the preparation and dedication involved in competitive livestock exhibition.
DeSoto 4-H praised Bamburg’s hard work and the results achieved at this year’s fair.
Morgan Dickson Shines in First State Fair Appearance
First-time State Fair exhibitor Morgan Dickson made an impressive debut, earning multiple awards in goat and sheep competitions.
Dickson’s accomplishments included Reserve Champion Louisiana Bred Middle Weight Goat, second place in nine-year-old Goat Showmanship, second place in Market Goat Class 6, and first place in Louisiana Bred Goat Class 6.
In sheep competition, Dickson earned third place in Market Sheep Class 3 and first place in a Louisiana Bred Sheep class.
The strong showing marked a memorable first State Fair experience for the young exhibitor.
Landen Cubley Earns Championship Honors in Sheep Competition
Landen Cubley enjoyed a successful State Fair sheep show, earning several championship and reserve championship titles.
Cubley’s awards included Reserve Champion Hampshire Breeding Ewe, Champion Louisiana Bred Hampshire Ewe, Champion AOB Breeding Ewe, and Reserve Champion Louisiana Bred Natural.
The multiple honors highlighted Cubley’s success across several breeding sheep divisions.
DeSoto 4-H Members Excel in Poultry Competitions
DeSoto Parish’s poultry exhibitors also recorded notable accomplishments.
Khloe Henry once again qualified for the ALTAC Livestock Sale with her pen of broilers, continuing her record of success in poultry exhibition.
Henry also earned first place in her class with a Duroc pig, adding another blue ribbon to her State Fair accomplishments.
Kamyl Chatman captured first place in Poultry Showmanship, earning recognition for her skills in presenting and handling poultry.
Clay, whose last name was not included in the DeSoto 4-H announcement, exhibited the Continental Class Champion and Reserve Champion in the State Fair Poultry Show.
Meanwhile, Edward Atkins, described by DeSoto 4-H as its youngest livestock member, made his first State Fair appearance by exhibiting broilers. The organization celebrated his participation and enthusiasm as a young exhibitor.
Adrienne Hutcherson Makes Successful State Fair Debut
Another first-time exhibitor, Adrienne Hutcherson, entered the State Fair swine competition with her pig, Buddy.
Hutcherson finished seventh in her class, marking a successful introduction to competitive livestock showing.
DeSoto 4-H congratulated Hutcherson for trying something new and gaining valuable experience through her first State Fair appearance.
DeSoto 4-H Nutrition Quiz Bowl Team Finishes Third
DeSoto Parish 4-H members also competed outside the livestock show ring, with the district’s Nutrition Quiz Bowl team, known as the “Calorie Cartel,” earning third place at the State Fair of Louisiana.
Although the team faced challenges with nerves and stage fright during the competition, DeSoto 4-H emphasized the importance of the knowledge and experience gained.
The organization celebrated the team’s third-place finish and expressed confidence that the members would return stronger and better prepared for future competitions.
Celebrating DeSoto Parish’s Young Agricultural Leaders
The numerous accomplishments at the 2026 State Fair of Louisiana reflect the dedication of DeSoto Parish 4-H members, their families, volunteer leaders, and agricultural educators.
Through livestock exhibitions, showmanship competitions, poultry projects, and educational contests, 4-H members gain hands-on experience while developing responsibility, confidence, leadership, and perseverance.
This year’s State Fair provided opportunities for both seasoned competitors and newcomers to showcase their abilities, achieve personal goals, and represent DeSoto Parish.
DeSoto 4-H extended congratulations to its exhibitors and competitors, recognizing their hard work, determination, and willingness to take on new challenges.
From championship banners and blue ribbons to first-time experiences and valuable lessons learned, the 2026 State Fair of Louisiana proved to be a successful and memorable event for DeSoto Parish 4-H.