Anita Campbell
County Reporter
Molly Strozewski of Lincoln won Grand Champion Pen of Rabbits at the Missouri State Fair this past week. Strozewski, the thirteen year old daughter of Jake and Jill Strozewski, raised the three New Zealand white rabbits and won the top award. The three rabbits average weight was 4.6 pounds.
“I chose New Zealand because they are meat rabbits and gain weight quickly,” said Strozewski.
Going into the eighth grade at Lincoln Middle School this week, Strozewski is active in volleyball, basketball and softball. She even plays on a traveling softball team, the Sun Devils.
“I started out with goats in 4-H but I switched to rabbits because I just didn’t have enough time to train goats,” said Strozewski.
Last year at the MSF, Strozewki’s Mini Rex rabbit won Best of Breed.
Strozewski said her mother Jill was a huge supporter for her as she took her rabbits to shows and fairs.
“We’re beside ourselves…just so proud of her and thankful for the opportunity to have these very nice rabbits to work with. Kudos to Mary L. Taylor and family for breeding them and to Josh Campbell for his guidance in all things rabbit. The friendships and support from everyone in the rabbit barn are what it’s all about. Thank you Peggy Switzner and Dave for the same day delivery of the food/water dishes,” said Jill Strozewski.
Benton County’s own Ashlyn Richardson was the very first Benton County youth to be part of the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions back in 2014. Ashlyn won with her market barrow, Sunny. Strozewski was the second Benton County youth ever to get to sell at the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions,
Strozewski’s Grand Champion Meat Pen of Rabbits sold for $6,900. Bryon Wiegand, PhD of the University of Missouri and the Missouri State Rabbit Producers Association purchased the rabbits at the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions.
“I was very surprised,” said Strozewski. “This is my first year raising meat rabbits and my mom and I were hoping to be in the top ten. Winning Grand Champion at the State Fair was exciting.”
