- Stoughton Fair
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
At the ages of 7 and 5, Hanna and Rylee Brattlie began as Cloverbuds. Hanna could have started earlier, but she wanted to wait until she and her sister could participate together. It’s clear when you meet them that, although they exhibit as individuals, participating is a team event. Hanna and Rylee credit their parents with providing the support and encouragement that allows them to show in the ways they do. The Stoughton Fair was their Dad’s home fair when he was younger. Hanna and Rylee said they felt comfortable and welcomed at The Stoughton Fair from the beginning.
Their desire to excel began early. Like anyone looking to reach the top of the podium, Hanna and Rylee paid attention to who was taking home the Blue Ribbons. They shared that they recognized early on that pink and white ribbons were not meeting their expectations for their performance. They can still name the families who were leading in their classes. They set their sights on continuous improvement and education at an early age. Those targets haven’t changed 12 years later.
One year after their first poultry show, when Hanna was 10 years old and Rylee was 8, they began hatching chicks from breeders. Now, they hatch around 500 chicks a year across the eight breeds they manage at their family home. They keep around half. In addition to poultry, they exhibit rabbits. They have approximately 60 rabbits on site. They breed around fifteen litters each year. They sell many of the chicks and rabbits, but they also share with the 4-H youth members they mentor. They’ve mentored around 20 youth to date.
Within their eight breeds of chickens, each sister has at least one breed that is ‘theirs’. Rylee claims the Cochin Bantams: Hanna, the Rhode Island Red Bantams. The family shares the White Leghorns and White Wyandottes. Their main breed of rabbit is the Mini Lop. In addition, they have Californians and their newest breed, Dwarf Papillons. Their family home, where they raise and grow everything for exhibiting, is full of surprises. A bed of Calla Lilies is nestled behind two of their buildings. Their vegetable garden is full of onions, peas, carrots, kohlrabi, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and much more. Rylee showed off a beautiful Black East Indie duck, which showcased a blue and green shine of feathers upon closer inspection.
Rylee and Hanna say The Stoughton Fair gave them their start. They characterize the fair as an inviting, relaxed, and competitive event. Last year, Hanna took home Master Showman from The Stoughton Fair. They’ve brought home their fair share of the Blue Ribbons they sought early on. All of that has allowed them to take their show on the road.
Hanna & Rylee won Junior Show Champion at the Ohio National in 2023 with a Rhode Island Red Bantam. 10,700 birds were shown at the Ohio National Poultry Show in 2023. 2,302 of the 10,700 were shown by Junior Exhibitors. Hanna and Rylee travel with 20-30 animals to exhibit throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Their favorite recent destination was Greensboro, North Carolina. They drove an extra two hours to take themselves and the animals to experience the ocean for the first time. Hanna and Rylee were the only ones to put their feet in the water. The animals had to experience it from the vehicle. All of this travel has expanded their knowledge. They’ve noticed that the ‘Standard of Perfection’ is interpreted differently depending on the region. The feedback they receive from the judges in those regions expands the knowledge and understanding of their breeds.
2026 is Rylee’s last eligible year at The Stoughton Fair. Hanna has aged out and made the transition to the Open Competitions in the area. Their participation in The Stoughton Fair won’t come to an end. Their mentorship of 4-H youth is a big part of how they give back. Hanna is The Stoughton Fair’s Superintendent for the Rabbit Exhibitors. She’s also promoting the importance of attending and supporting 4-H Fairs through her work as Jefferson County’s Fairest of the Fair.
Rylee and Hanna shared some of their favorite things about The Stoughton Fair.
Favorite Activity: Playing Euchre or Spoons in the barns between exhibiting.
Favorite Food: $1 Ice Cream from the Dairy Barn and Cheese Curds. Both items are enjoyed at least once a day.
Favorite Memory: When washing the goats turned into a water war with all the kids soaked, but clean.
Favorite Grandstand Event: CC Bucking Bulls Rodeo
Favorite Midway Game: Fishy Friend
Hanna and Rylee Brattlie’s family business is B’s Gardens Exhibition Poultry and Rabbit. Hanna is entering her Junior Year at UW-Platteville in the fall, where she studies Animal Science. Rylee will start her Freshman Year at UW-Platteville in the fall. Rylee is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education with a Tech Ed Certification.