They said they were going to do it, and they have! 4-H volunteers Brad and Stacey Warden kept their word by making sure that Jackson County 4-H was represented at the state livestock judging competition in Gainesville this past Saturday. Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club senior members Case Birge, Savannah Capps, Emilee Foran and Bethany Sistrunk comprised the team that placed 8th overall in the State, and were the 1st place team in the sheep and goat category. Savannah Capps was 1st high individual in sheep, Case Birge was the 3rd high individual in sheep and was the 5th high individual overall.
The club will travel to Gainesville again on April 17 and 18, to compete in the state meats judging contest. We are very proud of the efforts being made by our volunteers and our youth.
Participation in judging activities is a part of the positive youth development programs, that are offered through 4-H, that teach or reinforce skills that are best learned through practice. To master any skill, one must have the opportunity to try, make mistakes, and try again.
Jackson County 4-H Youth have multiple opportunities to compete in judging contests, including the Panhandle Youth Expo, the North Florida Fair, The Jackson County Fed Cattle Show, as well as State and National Competitions.
Did you know that judging activities provide youth with an excellent opportunity to develop communication, decision making and organizational skills, and enhance their confidence and self-esteem?
The Benefits of Livestock Judging
Participation in judging provides youth with opportunities to:
• Improve oral communication skills.
• Improve observation skills.
• Improve self-confidence.
• Improve leadership skills.
• Improve knowledge about livestock to help prepare for careers in: commercial production, seed-stock production, feeding, buying, packing and food industries and many non-agriculture careers.
• Provides opportunities for gaining friends, traveling and marketing themselves through contacts and exposure for jobs and scholarships.
• Improve critical thinking; experience to help to refine decision making process through making logical, rational decisions based on the information gathered.
If you have a young person who is not involved in 4-H, and has an interest in livestock judging, please call, email, or come by to see Angel Granger, Jackson County 4-H Agent. You may also visit our website at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/jacksonco/ for information on how to enroll in 4-H.
The Jackson County 4-H program is growing more and more every day. 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 https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/jacksonco/. You may also contact the 4-H Office at (850) 482-9620 or email amgranger@ufl.edu.
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