Howard County Fair Judges

The Howard County Fair is excited to announce its 2024 livestock, dairy, and breeding animal judges! Listed below is information about each of our judges. We are grateful for their participation in this year’s 4-H and Open Class programs.

Beef- Adam Hayes More information to come.

Dairy Cattle- Nate Oleniacz is from Oxford PA. Nate grew up in Northern PA showing Holsteins and Jerseys. He graduated from Penn State with a degree in Animal Science and was a member of the judging team. Nate has judged both type and showmanship classes from across the US, including the Spring Dairy Carousel Show in New York, The Maryland and North Carolina State Fairs, the Georgia Spring National, the All-American and World Dairy Expo. Nate is very committed to the dairy industry and to encouraging youth showmanship. Nate is employed by Cargill Animal Nutrition as a dairy consultant.

Dairy Goats- Rebecca Herriotts has extensive experience in both showing and judging competitions with over 10 years experience.

Poultry- Tom Roebuck is from Unionville, Virginia. More information to come.

Pygmy Goats- Rebecca Herriotts has extensive experience in both showing and judging competitions with over 10 years experience.

Rabbit (4-H)- Piper Smith Debruler More information to come.

Rabbit (Open)- Tom Schweikart is from Eldred, PA. He is a US navy retiree of 22 years. He has raised rabbits for 25 years and been judging for 10. He has been impressed with the rabbit program here in Howard County, where he has judged several local one-day shows held in April and November.

Sheep and Market Goats- Brian Faris is from Blanco, Texas. He grew up an active 4-H member, raising and showing Rambouillet sheep and market lambs. He judged wool, mohair and range, and served on the Texas 4-H Council. Brian attended Texas A&M University and majored in Animal Science, while participating on the Wool  Judging Team and working at the Sheep & Goat Center. After his B.S. degree, he completed his Masters at Angelo State University and PhD at New Mexico State University while coaching their respective collegiate Wool  Judging teams. Since 2019, he has served as the Competitive Events Director at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Brian has judged numerous county, state and national shows throughout the country and has judged in Canada. He loves coming to Maryland, whether it is for a county fair, the State Fair, the Sheep & Wool Festival, or the crab cakes!

Swine- Lee Rincker is the Livestock Judging Coach at the University of Illinois. More information to come.