Jackson County 4-H Will Return to Louisville after Two Decades
Earlier this year, 4-H Agent Angel Granger and Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club Leader Stacey Warden did a little furniture rearranging. With the help of 4-H volunteers and parents they moved the historic trophy cabinets that have been housed in the former auditorium of the Jackson County Ag Complex on Penn Avenue, to the foyer in front of the auditorium, also known as the conference center, which was added in 2003, under former County Extension Director Ed Jowers. Their thoughts were that the rich history of 4-H accomplishments in Jackson County represented by trophies and ribbons dating back to 1956, needed to be visible to the public and the new tradition of 4-H accomplishments needed to be seen as well. The move was right on time as the next generation of Jackson County 4-H members bring home the hardware!
Participation in competitive 4-H events such as this has so many positive outcomes. Not only do youth gain valuable life skills, they also have the opportunity to meet a great need. According to a recent survey of the poultry industry, there is an annual shortfall of over 200 poultry science graduates. The industry needs qualified, intelligent, and enthusiastic people in its workforce. Life skills learned in the events include: Becoming an informed consumer; Food safety; Leadership; Communication skills; Problem solving; and Decision making.
Ninety-four 4-H and FFA youth from throughout Florida made up 15 junior (52 total youth) and 8 senior (42 total youth) teams and individuals.
After many months of hard work and practice, Jackson County 4-H was once again represented at the State 4-H Poultry Judging Competition held in Gainesville on June 4, 2016. 4-H Livestock Club Leader and Coach, Stacey Warden along with parents and volunteers traveled to Gainesville with 15 Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club members making up three junior teams and one senior team. The Jackson County 4-H junior teams placed 3rd, 6th and 8th while the senior team placed 3rd.
The 3rd place Jr. team members are Lila Caraway, Whitnie Yoder, Hayden Warden and Morgan Seale, with Hayden Warden placing 8th high individual overall and Morgan Seale placing 10th high individual overall. The 6th place Jr. Team members are Reagan Roach, Benjamin Roach and Syler Griffin and the 8th place Jr. Team members are Nathan Ziglar, Dylan Ziglar, Maycee Griffin and Lana Smith.
The 3rd place Jr. team members are Lila Caraway, Whitnie Yoder, Hayden Warden and Morgan Seale, with Hayden Warden placing 8th high individual overall and Morgan Seale placing 10th high individual overall. The 6th place Jr. Team members are Reagan Roach, Benjamin Roach and Syler Griffin and the 8th place Jr. Team members are Nathan Ziglar, Dylan Ziglar, Maycee Griffin and Lana Smith.
Senior team members Anslie Yoder, Emma Caraway, Caitlin Caudill and Nathalie Yoder placed 3rd overall with Nathalie placing 2nd high individual overall, giving her the opportunity to compete at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on November 16th and 17th, 2016. www.ca.uky.edu/national4hpoultry
Many of these youth participated in the State competition last year, but this year’s results are extra special and hold a little “Déjà vu” for club leader Stacey Warden who also represented as a member of Jackson County 4-H in Louisville. The last Jackson County 4-H member to attend was Katherine Reiman in 1998.
Nathalie is the daughter of Beaver and Michelle Yoder and has been a member of the Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club’s Poultry, Meats and Livestock Judging Teams for two years. Nathalie is also a member of the Jackson County 4-H Youth Council and was recently voted as reporter for the District II Youth Council.
Jackson County 4-H is extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the 40 enrolled adult volunteers, 12 youth volunteers and the 206 youth members enrolled in the various clubs and programs in Jackson County, and is looking forward displaying the accomplishments of this next generation. So the next time you are at the Jackson County Agricultural Center on Penn Avenue, spend a few minutes looking at the awards won by 4-H youth over the past 50 years. You might see your name somewhere!
0
