(Article submitted by: Addalyn Sonntag, Atlantic FFA Reporter)
The Cass County Fair is a week to remember. For most youth in FFA, it’s a time to exhibit their hard work and dedication. The youth are able to participate in several contests; the Atlantic FFA members participated in livestock shows: rabbit, sheep, goat, horse, beef cattle, poultry, and pigs. They also participated in floriculture and photography.
On Thursday, July 23, Clara Kennedy was crowned the 2026 Cass County Fair Queen. Collin Rudy was crowned the 2026 Cass County Fair King. Olivia Olsen was also crowned princess. “Over the course of the county fair, I got to pass out ribbons, trophies, and awards. I enjoyed getting to be at all the shows and activities. This allowed me to talk to a lot of community members and exhibitors. One highlight of my fair week was the feeder calf show with the little miss and little mister. Despite the heat, this has been the most meaningful and memorable fair yet,” says fair queen Clara. Clara will also be representing Cass County at the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen contest.
The livestock shows were very successful for the Atlantic FFA. In the rabbit show, Atlantic had three participants: Macie Kloewer, Claire Schroder, and Zach Zellmer.
Claire received Champion 6 Class Fryer Pen, Champion 6 Class Roaster Pen, Grand Champion Production Pen, Champion & Reserve 6 class Individual rabbit, Champion 6 Class Breeding Rabbit. Macie won Champion FFA Showman and a lavender with her 4 Class Production rabbit. Zack had the Champion 4 Class Breeding rabbit and was also awarded Best In Show for the Cass County Fair.
Atlantic had five participants in the poultry show: Hudson Brock, Lily Johnson, Rio Johnson, Abbi Richter, and Faithlynn Scholl. Abbi won Reserve Champion FFA Egg Judging, Hudson won Champion FFA Hy-Line pen of 3, Lily won Champion FFA Showman, Faithlynn S
Champion FFA Market Rate of Gain, Champion & Reserve Market Ducks, Champion & Reserve Market Turkey, Champion FFA Egg Judging and Reserve Champion Market Broiler Pen of 3
Rio J won Champion Large Fowl, Champion & Reserve Bantam Chicken, Champion & Reserve Turkey, Champion & Reserve Pigeon and Best in Show FFA Poultry.
In the sheep show, we had three participants: Alyson Dreager, Grant Petty, and Claire Schroder. Alyson earned Reserve FFA Showmanship. Alyson won the Reserve Champion Showmanship and 2 lavender ribbons, Claire won Champion Rate of Gain, 1 lavender and 2 blue ribbons, while Grant won Reserve Champion AOB Breeding Ewe and a lavender ribbon
Following the sheep show, we had two participants in the goat show, Lily Johnson and Faithlynn Scholl. Faithlynn received Champion Overall Breeding Doe, earning her a spot at the Best In The West Shootout on August 2nd.
At this year’s horse show, we had one participant, Haley Armstrong. Haley won Reserve Champion Game Horse and earned a Purple and Red ribbon with her horse Bud and with Bear won 1 Purple, 2 lavender, 5 blue and 3 red ribbons.
The pig show consisted of ten Atlantic FFA participants: Colton Anderson, Alyson Dreager, Dylan Dreager, Keagan Dreager, Lynsie Kardell, Grant Petty, Abbi Richter, Callie Rudy, Collin Rudy, and Zach Zellmer. Colton Anderson had a busy day, receiving Champion Overall Breeding Gilt and Market Barrow, earning a spot in the Best In The West Shootout with both pigs.
Moving into our beef cattle show, starting on Sunday, July 26, two members participated in the Cow/Calf Pair show: Holden Devore and Kole Sorensen. Holden received the Champion FFA Cow/Calf Pair, with Kole receiving reserve. Next was the Feeder Calf show. Three members participated: Tenley Cappel, Holden Devore, and Kole Sorensen. Kole received the Champion Feeder Steer and the Champion FFA Heifer. The FFA beef show had 6 Atlantic members participate: Bently Bruck, Tenley Cappel, Jenna Jensen, Hayden Kleen, Callen Kluever, and Kole Sorensen. Hayden earned Champion FFA Breeding Heifer and Reserve Overall Breeding Heifer, and Reserve Champion FFA Market Steer. Callen received Champion FFA Market Heifer. Bently received the Champion FFA Rate of Gain.
This year, we had two members participate in the Dog Show. Tenley Cappel received Grand Champion in working with her dog “Pickle”. She also received Grand Champion FFA showman with her dog “Relish”. Alyson Dreager received Grand Champion in agility with her dog “Bear”.
Our final livestock contest is our livestock judging contest. Atlantic had 2 teams participate. Team 1: Jenna Jensen, Lily Johnson, Faithlynn Scholl, and Tenley Cappel. Team 2, receiving 5th place: Logan Tibken, Braxton Scholl, and Landon Tibken.
Overall, the Atlantic FFA had a very successful county fair. The Atlantic FFA would like to thank anyone who donated time or money to our program. With the support of our community, the Atlantic FFA has many opportunities for our members.
