Hot Off the Grill – Jackson 4-H Cooks Up Winners

Jackson County 4-H hosted their first 4-H Tailgate Grilling Camp on June 27-28 at the Jackson County Ag Complex on Penn Avenue.

Four 4-H members ranging in age from 10-17 participated in the camp and learned about fire safety, food safety, meat selection, how to create their own seasoning and how to grill on a charcoal grill. Youth in the 11-18 age range also competed in a District Grilling Contest on Saturday, June 30th in Chipley.

The Florida 4-H Grilling Competition was introduced in 2016, as part of an effort to promote outdoor cooking and incorporate animal protein into the diet, while improving the knowledge of youth regarding nutrition, proper handling and cooking of proteins, and fire safety. Increased nutritional knowledge is a goal of this camp to try and decrease childhood obesity. “Many parents do not have the time, or they do not know how to cook, so they have not passed the skill on to the younger generation. The average American knows little about the safe preparation of highly palatable animal protein entrées. Additionally, nutrition research suggests that animal protein in the diet is beneficial to adolescent development (Cleghorn, 2007).” Participating in this activity provides 4-H youth with life skills, such as decision making, healthy lifestyle choices, and communication.

The District and State level competitions are sponsored by Winn Dixie Supermarkets, National Beef, Sanderson Farms and Sonny’s BBQ. All participants placing in the top four at the District level receive a $25 gift card from Winn Dixie. The prizes for each protein category include – First place – $400; Second place – $250; Third place – $100; Fourth place – $50. The top two individuals receive an invitation to the State Championship Contest, held in September during a UF football game. State Contest awards for each category include-First place- $1,500; Second place- $1,000 college scholarship to a post-secondary institution of their choice.

Pictured L-R: Jamison Scheffer, Myra Miles, Elizabeth Halling and Nik Halling.
Jamison Scheffer grilling pork and beef.

 

District Tailgate Grilling Contest
Pictured L-R – Brian Estevez, Escambia 4-H, Elizabeth Halling – 3rd place shrimp category.

 

District Tailgate Grilling Contest
Pictured L-R – Brian Estevez, Escambia 4-H, Nik Halling – 3rd place beef category.
District Tailgate Grilling Contest
Pork category participant Myra Miles.

The goal of the Jackson 4-H Youth Development Program is to offer youth and adults opportunities to increase their knowledge while gaining valuable life skills. 4-H offers a broad spectrum of projects and activities to serve a variety of interests, skills, and knowledge. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about the Jackson County 4-H Youth Development program, please visit the 4-H Youth Development page at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/jackson/4-h/ . You may also contact the 4-H Office at (850) 482-9620 or email amgranger@ufl.edu.

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Posted: July 3, 2018


Category: 4-H & Youth
Tags: Grilling Contest, Healthy Lifestyle, Life Skills, Outdoor Cooking


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