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August 13, 2025
 
 
25-06 / OPEN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Contact:
Todd Mickley, Publicity
 
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JESSIE RUSSELL OF MORRISON TOOK PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS IN THE GRAINS AND FORAGES DIVISION WITH CINDY YOUNG OF ERIE TAKING PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS IN THE VEGETABLES DIVISION AT THE 154TH ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR’S OPEN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS SHOW
 
 
MORRISON, ILL.- Jessie Russell of Morrison took Premier Exhibitor Honors in the Grains and Forages Division with Cindy Young of Erie taking Premier Exhibitor Honors in the Vegetables Division at the 154th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Open Agriculture Products Show.
 
 
 
GRAINS AND FORAGES
 
Premier Exhibitor
Plaques Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
Reserve 
Plaques Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Cindy Young, Erie
 
Best Scarecrow Trophy Donated by American Gear, Prophetstown, IL
 Donna Young, Sterling
 
Judge’s Choice Winner 
   Marissa Folkers, Morrison for Best Five Ear Field Corn
 
2024 CROP
 
One Gallon Jar Of Wheat
 1. Jimmy Pell, Fulton; 2. Ron Pell, Morrison
 
One Gallon Jar Of Soybeans
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
One Gallon Jar Of Shelled Corn
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
2025 CROP
 
Best Ear Of Corn
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Michelle Naftzger, Albany; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
Longest Ear Of Corn
 1. Jimmy Pell, Fulton; 2. Connie Landheer, Morrison; 3. Michelle Naftzger, Albany
 
Single Stalk Hill Corn
 1. Michelle Naftzger, Albany; 2. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 3. Jimmy Pell, Fulton
 
Two Or More Stalk Hill Of Corn
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Quinn James, Morrison; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Alfalfa
 1. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Grass Hay
 1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Quinn James, Morrison
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Mixed Hay
 1. Wesley Bush, Morrison; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Oat Straw
 1. Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Wheat Straw
 1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Cindy Young, Erie
 
2025 CROP
 
Best Five Ears Of Field Corn
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Cindy Young, Erie
 
5 Stalks Soybeans Bundled
 1. Quinn James, Morrison; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Jimmy Pell, Fulton
 
Scarecrow
Trophy By Wells Fargo Bank
 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Michelle Naftzger, Albany; 3. Jenifer L Witmer, Sterling
 
VEGETABLES
 
Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Cindy Young, Erie
 
Reserve
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Steven D Schroeder, Morrison
 
Largest Sunflower
 Steven D Schroeder, Morrison
 
Best of Show, Best & Greatest Variety
Cindy Young, Erie
 
Judge’s Choice Award
 Donna Young, Sterling
 
Best & Greatest Variety Of Garden
 1. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Market Basket, 1/2 Bushel
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Donna Young, Sterling
 
Best Display Storage Veggies
 1. Donna Young, Sterling
 
New England Boiled Dinner Basket
 1. Donna Young, Sterling
 
Five Snap Beans- Yellow
 1. Donna Young, Sterling
 
Five Snap Beans- Green
 1. Louise Clark, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Two Zucchini- Green
 1. Louise Clark, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
 
Two Butternut Squash
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Most Unusual Size Shape & Color  Vegetable
 1. Buck Hill, Morrison; 2. Becca Landis, Coleta; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
Three Miniature Pumpkins (Orange)
 1. Jessie Russell, Morrison
 
One Cabbage
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Amanda House, Morrison
 
Three Carrots
 1. Andrea Hayes, East Dubuque
 
One Black Beauty Eggplant
 1. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three Red Onions
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Phil Tichler, Morrison; 3. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three White Onions
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three Yellow Onions
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Largest Onion By Weight
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Hannah Temple, Fulton; 3. Mike Selburg, Lyndon
 
Three Green Bell Peppers
 1. Louise Clark, Morrison; 2. Ron Pell, Morrison; 3. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three Habanero Peppers
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three Jalapeno Peppers
 1. Theresa Zink, Rock Falls; 2. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison
 
Three Sweet Banana Peppers
 1. Ron Pell, Morrison; 2. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 3. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison
 
Three Cucumbers For Slicing
 1. Louise Clark, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison
 
Three Pickling Cucumbers (No less than 3″ or no more than 4″)
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Becca Landis, Coleta
 
Three Table Beets
 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 3. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Three Red Cherry Tomatoes
 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 2. Theresa Zink, Rock Falls; 3. Mike Davis, Morrison
 
Three Preserving Roma Tomatoes
 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 2. Phil Tichler, Morrison; 3. Ron Pell, Morrison
 
Three Yellow Pear Tomatoes
 1. Ron Pell, Morrison
 
Three Green Red Tomatoes
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Louise Clark, Morrison; 3. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Three Tomatoes
 1. Louise Clark, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Largest Tomato By Weight
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Andrea Hayes, East Dubuque
 
Three Heirloom Tomatoes
 1. Cindy Young, Erie; 2. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
 
Largest Sunflower By Diameter
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie
 
Figure Of Scene Made Of Fresh Vegetables, Trophy
 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
 
Best Decorated Pumpkin
 1. Jenifer L Witmer, Sterling
 
Best Five Ears Of Mixed Sweet Corn
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Cindy Young, Erie; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison
 
POTATOES
 
White Potatoes
 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 3. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Red Potatoes
 1. Steven D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Phil Tichler, Morrison
 
Mr. Or Mrs. Potato Head
Trophy By Rock River Lumber & Grain, Prophetstown
 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
 
August 13, 2025
 
 
25-07 / JUNIOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Contact:
Todd Mickley, Publicity
 
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARTER C. CRUSE OF PROPHETSTOWN EARNED PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW IN THE GRAINS DIVISION WITH SAWYER W. STERN OF ERIE EARNING PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS IN THE VEGETABLES DIVISION AT THE 154TH ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR’S JUNIOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS SHOW
 
 
MORRISON, ILL.- Carter C. Cruse of Prophetstown earned Premier Exhibitor Honors for the second year in a row in the Grains Division with Sawyer W. Stern of Erie earning Premier Exhibitor Honors in the Vegetables Division at the 154th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Junior Agriculture Products Show.
 
 
 
GRAINS
 
Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Reserve Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Marissa Folkers, Morrison
 
Judge’s Choice Winner
  Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon For: Single Stalk Hill Corn
 
Best of Show
 Michelle Naftzger, Albany For: Longest Ear
 
Best Small Scarecrow
Trophy Sponsored by Howard Scott Family, Cordova, IL
 Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
2024 CROP
 
One Gallon Jar Of Soybeans
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
One Gallon Jar Of Shelled Corn
 1. Easton Decker, Morrison; 2. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
2025 CROP
 
Best Ear Of Field Corn
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Cayson Deets, Morrison; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
Longest Ear Of Corn
 1. Michelle Naftzger, Albany; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Marissa Folkers, Morrison
 
Single Stalk Hill Of Corn
 1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Marissa Folkers, Morrison
 
Two Stalk Hill Of Corn In Container
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Alfalfa
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Grass Hay
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Quinn James, Morrison
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Mixed Hay
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Best 4″ Slice Of Wheat Straw
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Five Stalks Soybeans In Bundle
 1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon; 2. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Quinn James, Morrison
 
Best Five Ears Of Field Corn
 1. Oaklynn Deets, Morrison; 2. Cayson Deets, Morrison; 3. Marissa Folkers, Morrison
 
Small Scarecrow – 36″ Tall
1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
VEGETABLES
 
Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Sawyer W Stern, Erie
 
Reserve Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
 Hannah Temple, Fulton
 
Largest Sunflower
 Alyssa Temple, Fulton
 
Judge’s Choice Ribbon 
   Gabriella E Abell, Tampico For: Best Display of Produce
 
Kyle Miller Memorial Award 
Trophy Sponsored by Kyle Miller Memorial Fund, Prophetstown, IL 
 Sawyer W Stern, Erie For: Best Display of Vegetables in Little Red Wagon
 
Best of Show
 Grant Merema, Fulton For: Five Snap Beans Green
 
Three Red Onions
 1. George Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon
 
Three Yellow Onions
 1. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon
 
Three Table Beets
 1. George Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon
 
Three Pickle Cucumbers (No less than 3″ or no more than 4″ long)
 1. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 3. Easton Decker, Morrison
 
Three Slicing Cucumbers
 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Quinn James, Morrison
 
Three Carrots
 1. George Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon
 
Three Green Bell Peppers
 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Grant Merema, Fulton; 3. Easton Decker, Morrison
 
Three Habaneros Peppers
 1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Three Jalapeno Peppers
 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Easton Decker, Morrison; 3. Quinn James, Morrison
 
Three Sweet Banana Peppers
 1. George Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Marissa Folkers, Morrison
 
Three Tomato-Roma
 1. Tex Suarez, Morrison; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
Three Red Cherry Tomato
 1. Hannah Temple, Fulton; 2. Gage Harris, Morrison; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
 
Three Tomato-Red
 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
 
Three Tomato-Green (Not Ripe)
 1. Easton Decker, Morrison; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Grant Merema, Fulton
 
Three Heirloom Tomatoes
 1. Vivian Baker, Morrison
 
One Eggplant-Black Beauty
 1. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon
 
Five Snap Beans-Green
 1. Grant Merema, Fulton; 2. Hannah Temple, Fulton; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
 
Best Sugar Baby Watermelon (10 lb and under w/2″ stem)
 1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon
 
Best Muskmelon
 1. Hannah Temple, Fulton
 
Largest Watermelon By Weight w/2″ Stem
 1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon
 
Most Unusual Size & Shape Vegetable 
 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
Two Zucchini
 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon
 
Largest Pumpkin By Weight
 1. Hannah Temple, Fulton
 
Three Miniature Pumpkins (orange)
 1. Hannah Temple, Fulton
 
Five Ears Sweet Corn- Mixed
 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Marissa Folkers, Morrison; 3. Cayson Deets, Morrison
 
One Head Of Cabbage
 1. George Selburg, Lyndon
 
Largest Sunflower By Diameter
 1. Alyssa Temple, Fulton; 2. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
 
Best Display Of Gourds
 1. Hannah Temple, Fulton
 
Best Display Of Above Produce
 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
 
Best Display Of Vegetables In Little Red Wagon
Trophy By Kyle Miller Memorial Fund
 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Hannah Temple, Fulton; 3. Gage Harris, Morrison