We Caught up with Ms. Lilly Stirling, exhibitor of the Grand Champion Crossbred Gilt at the 2024 Iowa State Fair 4-H. Learn more about Lilly below..

What do you do to overcome your obstacles?
Some things I do to overcome obstacles are just spending lots and lots of hours out working with my pigs, and setting goals to help overcome anything that comes up!

What is your favorite thing about your animal?
My favorite thing about my gilt Shakira was the way she hit the ring. From the moment she stepped out she knew she was there to win, and looked pretty just prancing around the ring. I also loved all the hair she had from day 1!

What is one thing you had to overcome together?
One thing we had to overcome together was for sure getting reserve at Central Iowa Showdown. It was bummer in the moment, but was honestly the fuel to our fire to get back in the barn and work extra hard to get her dialed in for state fair, and it definitely payed off!

What is at the top of your bucket list?
Something that is definitely at the top of my bucket list is winning the market side of the Iowa State Fair!

Favorite snack?
My favorite snack is probably strawberries or goldfish!

Favorite show day breakfast?
Usually I’m way to nervous to eat breakfast before any shows, but I do love a Strawberry Açai refresher from Starbucks on the morning of shows!