After months of practice on Wednesdays and Saturdays, members of the Jackson County 4-H Livestock Club made their way to Gainesville on May 3rd to compete in the 2018 State 4-H and FFA Poultry Judging Contest. It would appear that hard work does pay off as Jackson County 4-H swept the State competition with the 1st place Senior 4-H Poultry Judging Team, and the 1st and 2nd place Junior 4-H Judging Teams. They also lay claim to the 1st, 3rd and 5th High Senior Individuals and the 2nd and 5th High Junior Individuals. Not to mention that with their 1st place finish, the Senior team will represent the State of Florida at the 2018 National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on November 14-15!
Under the guidance of Ethan Carter, the Row Crop IPM RSA Extension Agent based in Jackson County, club leader Stacey Warden, and Houston County 4-H Agent Sheila Andreason, youth were given the opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of poultry judging. From examining eggs (interior, exterior, and broken out), grading ready-to-cook carcasses, identification of meat parts, handling live birds (courtesy of 4-H Agent Angel Granger), and perfecting oral reasons, youth from Jackson County 4-H along with FFA members from Altha and Houston County Alabama, spent countless hours honing their poultry judging skills.
We will need the help of the community to help get our Senior team to Kentucky. Participating in a National level competition is a major accomplishment for these youth and a source of pride for Jackson County. Donations, which are tax-deductible, are greatly appreciated. Please contact the 4-H Office for more information. There will be multiple fundraising events so please stay tuned!
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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