agriculture
Open
Jr
August 19, 2026
26-05 / OPEN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Contact:
Abe Huizenga, Publicity
815-772-7329
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JESSIE RUSSELL OF MORRISON TOOK PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS IN THE GRAINS AND FORAGES DIVISION FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW WITH CINDY YOUNG OF ERIE TAKING THE PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW IN THE VEGETABLES DIVISION AT THE 155TH 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 for the second year in a row with Cindy Young of Erie taking the Premier Exhibitor Honors for the third year in a row in the Vegetables Division at the 155th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Open Agriculture Products Show.
Whiteside County Fair 2026
Open Agriculture Products
2-2-2
GRAINS AND FORAGES
Premier ExhibitorPlaques 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
Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
Best Scarecrow Trophy Donated by American Gear, Prophetstown, IL
Jennifer L Witmer, Sterling
Judge’s Choice Winner
Cindy A Young, Erie for Best Five Ears of Field Corn
2025 CROP
One Gallon Jar Of Wheat
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison
One Gallon Jar Of Oats
1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison
One Gallon Jar Of Rye
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison
One Gallon Jar Of Soybeans
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
One Gallon Jar Of Shelled Corn
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
2026 CROP
Best Ear Of Corn
1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Longest Ear Of Corn
1. Paige Snyder, Fulton; 2. Jeff Deets, Morrison; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
Single Stalk Hill Of Corn In Container
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Jessie Peppers-Lilly, Morrison
Two Or More Stalk Hill Of Corn In Container
1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Jessie Peppers-Lilly, Morrison
Best 4″ Slice Of Alfalfa
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
Best 4″ Slice Of Grass Hay
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Christine M Houzenga, Morrison
Best 4″ Slice Of Mixed Hay
1. Wesley Bush, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Lucas Bush, Morrison
Best 4″ Slice Of Oat Straw
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison
Best 4″ Slice Of Wheat Straw
1. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie
Best Five Ears Of Field Corn
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Jessie Peppers-Lilly, Morrison
Best Five Ears Of Popcorn
1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison
5 Stalks Soybeans Bundled
1. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 2. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Jessie Peppers-Lilly, Morrison
Scarecrow
Trophy By Wells Fargo Bank
1. Jennifer L Witmer, Sterling; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
VEGETABLES
Premier ExhibitorPlaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
Cindy A Young, Erie
Reserve
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
Steve D Schroeder, Morrison
Mr & Mrs Potato Head Winner
Donna Young, Sterling
Best of Show, Best & Greatest Variety
Donna Young, Sterling
Judge’s Choice Award
Louise B Clark, Morrison
Best & Greatest Variety Of Garden Vegetables
1. Cindy A Young, Erie
Market Basket, 1/2 Bushel Basket
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Donna Young, Sterling
Best Display Of Storage Veggetables
1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Alexavier Abell, Prophetstown; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
New England Boiled Dinner Basket
1. Donna Young, Sterling
Five Snap Beans- Green
1. Mike Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Louise B Clark, Morrison
Two Zucchini- Green
1. Louise B Clark, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Kayla Sipes, Morrison
Two Table Queen Squash
1. Susan L Devers, Morrison
Two Crook Neck Squash
1. Susan L Devers, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling
Two Buttercup Squash
1. Kayla Sipes, Morrison
Two Butternut Squash
1. Susan L Devers, Morrison
Most Unusual Size Shape & Color Vegetable grown in current growing year
1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Miniature Pumpkins (orange)
1. Kelsey Rumfelt, Morrison
Largest Pumpkin By Weight
1. Tex Suarez, Morrison
One Cabbage
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
Three Carrots
1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Alexavier Abell, Prophetstown
One Black Beauty Eggplant
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Mike L Davis, Morrison; 3. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison
Three Red Onions
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Mike Selburg, Lyndon
Three White Onions
1. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Yellow Onions
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Mike Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Largest Onion By Weight
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Mike Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Green Bell Peppers
1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Mike L Davis, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Habanero Peppers
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison
Three Jalapeno Peppers
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 3. Louise B Clark, Morrison
Three Sweet Banana Peppers
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Ron Pell, Morrison; 3. Jessie Russell, Morrison
Three Cucumbers For Slicing
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison
Three Pickling Cucumbers
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Becca Landis, Coleta; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Table Beets
1. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Red Cherry Tomatoes
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Andrew C Cruse, Prophetstown
Three Preserving Roma Tomatoes
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Grace C Wetzell, Morrison; 3. Ron Pell, Morrison
Three Yellow Pear Tomatoes
1. Ron Pell, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
Three Red Pear Tomatoes
1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
Three Green Red Tomatoes
1. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison
Three Tomatoes
1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Ron Pell, Morrison; 3. Breanna Barrett, Chadwick
Largest Tomato By Weight
1. Breanna Barrett, Chadwick; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie
Three Heirloom Tomatoes
1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
Largest Sunflower By Diameter
1. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Steve D Schroeder, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
Figure Of Scene Made Of Vegetables
1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls
Best Five Ears Of Yellow Sweet Corn
1. Breanna Barrett, Chadwick
Best Five Ears Of Mixed Sweet Corn
1. Jeff Deets, Morrison; 2. Jessie Russell, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie
POTATOES
White Potatoes (5 pounds)
1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling
Potatoes – Red Potatoes (5 pounds)
1. Donna Young, Sterling
Mr Or Mrs Potato Head
Trophy By Rock River Lumber & Grain, Prophetstown
1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison
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August 19, 2026
26-06 / JUNIOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Contact:
Abe Huizenga, Publicity
815-772-7329
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CARTER C. CRUSE OF PROPHETSTOWN EARNED PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW IN THE GRAINS DIVISION WITH GEORGE SELBURG OF LYNDON EARNING PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS IN THE VEGETABLES DIVISION AT THE 155TH ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR’S JUNIOR AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS SHOW
MORRISON, ILL.- Carter C. Cruse of Prophetstown earned Premier Exhibitor Honors for the third year in a row in the Grains Division with George Selburg of Lyndon earning Premier Exhibitor Honors in the Vegetables Division at the 155th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Junior Agriculture Products Show.
Whiteside County Fair 2026
Junior Agriculture Products
2-2-2
Jr. Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
Jr. Reserve Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Judge’s Choice Winner
Oaklynn Deets, Morrison For: Longest Ear of Field Corn
Best of Show
Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon For: Single Stalk Hill of Corn
GRAINS
2025 CROP
One Gallon Jar Of Wheat
1. Macie Pell, Fulton
One Gallon Jar Of Oats
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
One Gallon Jar Of Soybeans
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
One Gallon Jar Of Shelled Corn
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Easton Decker, Morrison
2026 CROP
Best Ear Of Field Corn
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Macie Pell, Fulton; 3. Cayson Deets, Morrison
Longest Ear Of Corn
1. Oaklynn Deets, Morrison; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Macie Pell, Fulton
Single Stalk Hill Of Corn In Container
1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
Two Or More Stalk Hills Of Corn
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Best 4″ Slice Of Alfalfa
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
Best 4″ Slice Of Grass Hay
1. Colton Vandermyde, Morrison; 2. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
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. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon; 3. Macie Pell, Fulton
Best Five Ears Of Field Corn
1. Cayson Deets, Morrison; 2. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 3. Macie Pell, Fulton
VEGETABLES
Jr. Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
George Selburg, Lyndon
Jr. Reserve Premier Exhibitor
Plaque Sponsored by Timber Lane Christmas Tree Farm & TLC Store, Fulton, IL
Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Largest Sunflower
George Selburg, Lyndon
Judge’s Choice Ribbon
Grant Merema, Fulton For:Three Cherry Tomatoes
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
Alyssa M Temple, Fulton For Best and Largest Display of Gourds
Three Red Onions
1. George Selburg, Lyndon
Three Yellow Onions
1. George Selburg, Lyndon
Three Pickle Cucumbers (No Less than 3″ or No More than 4″ long)
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Three Slicing Cucumbers
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Three Carrots
1. Win Tomman, Sterling
Three Green Bell Peppers
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Three Jalapeno Peppers
1. Hannah M Temple, Fulton; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 3. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown
Three Sweet Banana Peppers
1. Carter C Cruse, Prophetstown; 2. Win Tomman, Sterling; 3. Grant Merema, Fulton
Three Tomato-Roma
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Hannah M Temple, Fulton; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Three Tomato-Yellow
1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon
Three Red Cherry Tomato
1. Grant Merema, Fulton; 2. Hannah M Temple, Fulton; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Three Tomato-Red Pear
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. George Selburg, Lyndon
Three Tomato-Green (Not Ripe)
1. Grant Merema, Fulton; 2. George Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Three Heirloom Tomatoes
1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Five Snap Beans-Green
1. Grant Merema, Fulton; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Best Sugar Baby Watermelon
1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon
Best Muskmelon
1. Hannah M Temple, Fulton; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton
Largest Watermelon By Weight
1. Aubrey L Landheer, Lyndon
Most Unusual Size & Shape
1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Two Zucchini
1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
Largest Pumpkin By Weight
1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Hannah M Temple, Fulton
Three Miniature Pumpkins
1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton
Five Ears Sweet Corn-Yellow With Husk
1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton
Five Ears Sweet Corn- Mixed With Husk
1. Oaklynn Deets, Morrison; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 3. Cayson Deets, Morrison
Largest Sunflower By Diameter
1. George Selburg, Lyndon; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Best And Largest Display Of Gourds
1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton
Best Display Of Above Produce
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie
Best Display Of Vegetables In Little Red Wagon
Trophy By Kyle Miller Memorial Fund
1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Hannah M Temple, Fulton; 3. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico
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