Purple ribbons will again adorn a pair of barns in the Sweet Springs area, as two of the chapter’s members have earned grand champion honors at the Missouri State Fair.

Jillian Vogelsmeier successfully defended her title in the Sheep Pavilion on Thursday, Aug. 7, leading her 149-pound Natural Color lamb to top honors. Vogelsmeier said she and her family recognized his potential early on.
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Vogelsmeier said last year’s appearance in the Sale of Champions motivated her to work harder to book a return trip.

Vogelsmeier is the daughter of Matt Vogelsmeier and Rachel Vogelsmeier. She’ll be joined in the Sale of Champions by Elsie Barton of Mountain Grove, whose Natural Color lamb won reserve grand champion.

Also joining Vogelsmeier in the sale is another Sweet Springs FFA member, Ty Murphy of Houstonia. Murphy prevailed in Friday’s market barrow show, one year after his older brother Cole won grand champion honors.

The Sale of Champions will take place Aug. 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall. KMMO will stream the sale on our website.