The NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club is scheduled to host the 96th Little International Feb. 11-12.
“Since 1922, the Little International show has grown to consist of showmanship competitions in beef, dairy, sheep and swine as well as public speaking, ham curing, hippology and photo competitions,” said Ashlyn Dilley, Little I manager. “More than 300 Saddle and Sirloin members and 30 committees work yearlong to improve Little International year after year.”
The event begins Feb. 11 with a 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest at 8 a.m. at Shepperd Arena on the NDSU campus. At 9 a.m., a hippology contest will begin at the NDSU Equine Center.
“The Little International also honors an Agriculturist of the Year: an individual who has not only excelled but also contributed substantially to North Dakota agriculture,” Dilley said.
This year’s Agriculturist of the Year is Jackie Buckley of Mandan, North Dakota. A former NDSU Extension agent for 37 years, Buckley will be recognized at the Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 11 with a 5 p.m. social and 6 p.m. meal at the Sanctuary Events Center, Fargo.
The 96th Little International Queen is Hope Willson. She was selected by a committee of her peers to advance the club’s mission and serve as the primary spokesperson for agriculture and animal care. Willson is a junior majoring in animal science with a minor in crop and weed science from Wimbledon, North Dakota.
Two Little I princesses also were selected. Princess Brooke Kunz of New Salem, North Dakota, is a junior majoring in agricultural education. Princess Joy Dahlen of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is in the pharmacy program at NDSU.
“The Little I royalty serve as the faces of Little I,” said Brooklyn Vollmer, royalty chair and senior in pharmacy from Wing, North Dakota. “They promote Little I and agriculture literacy throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area by doing TV and radio interviews. They also help educate children about agriculture by putting on events such as a coloring contest and attending 4-H club meetings.”
Livestock showmanship preliminaries begin Feb. 12 at 8 a.m. in Shepperd Arena on the NDSU campus and showmanship finals begin at 5:30 p.m.
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