Sevier County 4-H Meats Judging Teams Do Well in Competition

The Sevier County 4-H Meats Judging Team Members recently brought home honors in the Eastern Regional 4-H Meats Judging Team Competition held at Berean Christian School in Knoxville, Tenn. The Eastern Region 4-H Judging Events are sponsored by and held in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Fair each fall.

Sevier County was represented by a Junior High team that placed second in the contest. Team members included Tristan Lewis of Pigeon Forge Middle; Anthony Jose of Catlettsburg; and Kylie and Brayden McGrotha of New Center. As individuals in the contest, Tristan placed fourth high, Anthony placed sixth high and Kylie placed eighth high.

In the Senior High contest, Sevier County placed third and qualified for the State Contest to be held in June at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Team members included Christy Newsom of Pigeon Forge High School and Brennan Allen, Lexi Moreno and Catherine Cummings from Sevier County High School. As individuals, Christy placed fifth high, Brennan placed eighth high and Lexi placed ninth high.

Thanks to Mrs. Jeri Haun, from the Rel Maples Institute of Culinary Arts at Walters State Community College for coaching the team. Thanks also to the Kroger in Sevierville for providing meat samples to judge during practice.

In meats judging, 4-H members learn to identify wholesale and retail cuts of meat from beef, lamb and pork carcasses. They learn to identify quality grades of meat and proper cooking methods. In judging classes, 4-H members learn to evaluate meat cuts on the amount of muscling, trimness and quality with each cut. 4-H judging events give young people the opportunity to develop decision making skills that are useful throughout life.

If you need more information about Sevier County 4-H, contact Glenn K Turner at 865-453-3695 or like us on Facebook at UT Extension Sevier County.

The University of Tennessee Extension offers educational opportunities like these to anyone in Sevier County regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Photo: 4-H Meats Judging Team Members (L-R front row) Lexi Moreno, Kylie McGrotha and Brayden McGrotha. (L-R back row) Anthony Jose, Catherine Cummings, Brennan Allen, Christy Newsom and Tristan Lewis.