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Each year, Sumner County 4-H members apply to serve as the county's chairperson, a role that involves spreading awareness about the dairy industry and the importance of dairy products. The 2025 theme was "Dairy Defenders: Saving the World one Glass at a Time."

Gracie Hawkins, an upcoming junior at Portland High School, was selected as the 2025 Sumner County 4-H JDM Chairperson. Emily Hester was named chairperson-elect and will serve in the role in 2026.

Hawkins, the daughter of Donna and David Michelsen, is a 4-H teen leader, camp counselor and a State Food Science Portfolio Senior Level I project finalist. She is also involved in her church’s youth leadership team, PHS FBLA and PHS DECA.

"Being the JDM Chairperson has been such a great experience," Hawkins said. "I have got to learn so many new things and meet and talk to new people every day. It’s just been an incredible journey and I’m super glad I got the opportunity to be the chairperson."

In addition to the chairperson and a virtual scrapbook contest, 4-H members submitted posters promoting dairy. Lanzlee Hodges, an upcoming seventh grader at White House Middle School, submitted Sumner County's poster this year.

Sumner County 4-H members also competed in the state Dairy Quiz Bowl contest. The 2025 Dairy Quiz Bowl Team, comprised of Emily Hester, Elleigh Hunter, and Gracie Hawkins from Portland High School and Manning Miller from Beech High School, placed first in the state contest on May 30. They will now advance to the National Dairy Quiz Bowl contest at the North American Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, later this year. The national contest questions cover dairy breeds, nutrition, feeds and feeding, milk and dairy products, reproduction and animal health.

The 4-H office promotes dairy and honors the two thriving dairy farms in the community by visiting preschools, daycares, summer education programs, assisted living and nursing homes, and various clubs and organizations throughout Sumner County.

This year, 4-H partnered with Tractor Supply Company in Portland for a community outreach event on June 7. The event featured a live Holstein calf, a "create your own dairy superhero" coloring page and a butter-making station. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream also participated with their mobile truck.

Sadler said June Dairy Month 2025 was a "remarkable success," and she extended congratulations and good luck to all participating Sumner County students.