The best showmen at the Indiana State Fair this year, 6 in all, went head to head Saturday night to determine the overall best, and as the judges completed their task they had nothing but positive comments for the tight field of competitors. Then they narrowed it down to two. Kallie Knott of Allen County took home the reserve honors.
PA announcer and state fair board member Alan Washburn of Kentland made the announcement that Garrett Lowes had earned Supreme Livestock Grand Champion. Fifteen minutes later the excited winner was still shaking.
Winning the title was a very big deal for Garrett and his entire family, and something he’s been working for an entire 10 year 4-H career.
“I’ve shown livestock all across the country from Georgia to New York, Iowa, Denver, Texas, and just being out here with all these other young exhibitors, it’s an amazing feeling. I’m still in shock from being out there. Words can’t describe the feeling I have right now. It’s unbelievable.”
Lowes is from Anderson and was the swine showmanship reserve champion. This year he also had beef and tractor maintenance projects at the state fair. Livestock is the family’s true passion.
“We’ve been raising livestock all of our life and I’ve been connected with farming, and it just means the world to us. We’re connected to it. It’s an industry we’re extremely passionate about.”
Lowes will head to Illinois Central College in Peoria on a full livestock judging scholarship. He also plans to study agribusiness and ag technologies and ultimately he would like to round it out with a masters in agronomy.
Collin Tennant from Wabash County, Claire Trennepohl, Henry County, Brad Berlet of Cass County, Abby Taylor from Noble County.
Prior to the competition starting the crowd was treated to the very first Ag leaders showmanship featuring the Indiana Lt. Governor, ISDA Director, state fair president and other. See more in the HAT video.