Fischer Farm 4-H members earned an impressive collection of Grand Champion awards, Illinois State Fair delegate selections and State Fair alternate honors during the DuPage County Fair, held July 23-26 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.
Club members were recognized across a wide range of competitions, including animal science, livestock exhibitions, STEM, healthy living and nutrition, environmental sciences, creative and cultural arts, photography and visual arts, demonstrating the breadth of opportunities available through the Fischer Farm 4-H program.
Grand Champion winners included Madelynn Carey in Junior Sheep Showmanship; Emma Esposito in Metal; Jacquelyn Ferreri in Champion Market Gilt; Ruth Glinke in Swine Showmanship, Fiber, Paper-2D and Quilting 2; Inara Grenier in Champion Ewe and Quilting 1; Gavin Grenier in Champion Barrow; Maica Hoskins in Champion Turkey; Catherine Kansa in Foods & Nutrition and Champion Meat Goat; John Nelson in Woodworking; Anna Wier in Sewing 3, Champion Pullet, Sheep Showmanship, Food Decorating, Paper-3D and 3D Design/Mixed Media; Brandon Wier in Fish & Wildlife; and Kari Wier in Animal Science, Shopping in Style, Champion Hen, Rabbit Showmanship and Champion Market Lamb.
Numerous club members also earned Illinois State Fair delegate and alternate selections in categories ranging from animal science and environmental sciences to sewing, cooking, woodworking, photography, visual arts and creative writing.
In addition to the 4-H competitions, Fischer Farm earned first-place honors in the DuPage County Fair Open Class competitions for light extracted honey in Agricultural Sciences Apiary, Swiss chard, three-bulb onions and a refinished desk entered in the furniture restoration category.
“Our 4-H members continue to impress us with their dedication, curiosity and willingness to learn,” Fischer Farm Manager Christine Shiel said. “These awards represent countless hours of preparation, teamwork and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of every member who participated and grateful to the volunteers, families and community members who support our mission of connecting youth to agriculture, history and the environment.”
Located at 16W680 Old Grand Ave. in Bensenville, Fischer Farm is believed to be one of the oldest remaining homesteads in DuPage County. The Fischer family established the homestead around 1836, and the property includes nine historic buildings, three of which date to the pre-Civil War era, including the circa 1837 Fischer clapboard cabin. The farm’s 1919 American Foursquare farmhouse serves as the main museum and Farm Shop, while the surrounding landscape and nearby Fischer Woods preserve remnants of the area’s original prairie, wetland and woodland ecosystems.
The mission of Fischer Farm is to engage the community in agricultural education, historical exploration and environmental conservation, so the past informs the future. The award-winning site hosts tours, school programs, camps, community events and private rentals while offering educational opportunities through the Bensenville Park District, including its Fischer Farm 4-H Club for youth ages 8-18. The Farm Shop also offers locally produced honey, eggs, meat and seasonal vegetables, further connecting visitors to sustainable agriculture and the region’s farming heritage.
The Fischer Farm 4-H Club provides youth with hands-on learning experiences in agriculture, STEM, creative arts, environmental stewardship and leadership. Through project-based learning, community service and competition, members build confidence, develop practical life skills and form lasting friendships while embodying the 4-H motto to “learn by doing.”
