GDYF’s First Dress-A-Cow Kicks Off State Dairy Show

Forty-three FFA & 4-H members dress their dairy heifers in costumes for the first Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation's Dress-A-Cow contest.

How did judges cow-culate the winner for the first Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation's (GDYF) Dress-A-Cow contest? Well, to be honest, it was not very easy. FFA and 4-H Exhibitors blew spectators away with their very creative and vibrant costumes.

In the senior division for ages 14 and over, Jacob Anthony of White County FFA won first place with his Firefighter costume and heifer dressed as a firetruck - complete with sound! Caleb Blocker, an Elvis impersonator, from White County Middle FFA took second place and in third place was Constance Johnson, dressed as Cinderella and accompanied by her fairy god-heifer, from Morgan County 4-H. There were 16 contestants in the senior division.

In the intermediate class for ages 12-13, there were 16 entries as well. Jennifer Brinton of Coweta County 4-H won first place dressed as Alice and Wonderland with her heifer dressed as the Mad Hatter. Ashlynn Reddick (and her brother Trent, dressed as the Grinch), took home second place dressed as Cindy Lou Who from Dr. Seuss's The Grinch. They represented Burke County Middle FFA. Emma Turner, Oconee County Middle FFA, won third place with her vibrant Spongebob costume which featured her heifer as her pet snail “Gary”.

The junior class for ages 8-11, was just as challenging with 11 entries. Holt Sapp of Burke County 4-H won first place with his heifer dressed as a mule and he as a farmer. Chase Cofield of Dawson County 4-H delighted the crowd with his Grease themed costume and took home second for the class. Abby Joyner of Burke County 4-H placed third with Dr. Seuss's Thing 1 & 2 costumes.

The best part for participate Emma Newberry of Oconee County High FFA was "how funny it was to see everyone dressed up in their costumes," she said. "It was exciting to be a part of the first GDYF costume contest."

Lucy Ray, Kelly Dodd Smith, Stan Mitchell and Josh Allen judged the contest. They based their judging for the costume contest on the detail and quality of the costumes and cow costumes, along with their overall creativity.

"It was tough to judge," said Lucy Ray, Morgan County Extension Agent. "Everybody was creative and came up with very unique costumes."

GDYF plans to hold this event annually to raise awareness of the organization and bring more unity to exhibitors across the state.

Visit our Facebook Page here to view pictures of all exhibitors!