SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Judging contests help kids improve their decision-making skills while teaching them to defend those decisions by giving voice to their reasoning. Poultry judging teaches standards of poultry and egg production to ensure a safe and nutritious consumer product. Youth from across Illinois gathered for the Illinois 4-H State Poultry Judging Contest held Aug. 10 in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair.

“Skills tested during competition include orderly decision-making, using reasoning skills, communicating decisions, poultry dish preparation, and food safety,” says University of Illinois Extension 4-H educator Dan Jennings. “In addition, youth must show subject matter knowledge of species of poultry, food safety, physiology, nutrition, and eggs.”

Participants compete in classes of past egg production hens, ready-to-cook fryers, ready-to-cook poultry parts, broken out eggs, shell eggs, and exterior egg quality.

In the junior division, top placings went to Lydia Worsham, Macon County, first; Anna Wier, DuPage County, second; Kari Wier, DuPage County, third; Gracie Walker, Hamilton County, fourth; Beth Schurers, Will County, fifth; Abby Henning, Will County, sixth; Charlotte Wilson, LaSalle County, seventh; Nathanael Vickery, Kendall County, eighth; and Korra Wilson, LaSalle County, ninth.

In the senior division, top placings went to Rachel Dickson, Kendall County, first; Madison Glenn, Kendall County, second; Faustina Krysciak, Kendall County, third; Julia Muschetto, Will County, fourth; and Matthew Selucky, Will County, fifth.

The four highest senior 4-H members will be selected to participate on the state team. The individuals that score the highest will be invited to participate in the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, KY.

About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. 

Source: Dan Jennings, 4-H Educatory, djjennin@illinois.edu

Writer:  Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu