Sevier Kids Compete in 4-H Forestry and Meats Judging

Sevier County 4-H Members brought home honors in the Eastern Regional 4-H Forestry and Meats Judging competition held at Berean Christian School in Knoxville. The Eastern Region 4-H Judging Events are sponsored by and held in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Fair each Fall.

In Forestry Judging, Sevier County was represented by two Senior High Teams placing fourth and sixth and one Junior High Team placing sixth.

The fourth place team has qualified for the state contest and includes team members Alex Batey, Gracie Glynn, Holly Glynn, and David Hall. The state contest at UT Knoxville is scheduled for later this month. The sixth place team consisted of William Barbee, Justin Conner, Nate Sams and Olivia Browning. As individuals, Alex Batey placed 9th high overall.

In the Junior High division, the Sevier County team included Kyle Bush, Grayson Boling and Colin Tilman. Thanks to Casey Berg and Dixie Seaton for coaching the teams.

In forestry judging, 4-H members learn to identify trees, and identify insect and disease damage in trees. They learn to use a tree scale stick and measure standing timber in order to estimate the volume of forestry products that may be obtained from the trees. Along with developing compass and pacing skills used in Forestry Management. 4-H judging events give young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop decision making skills that are useful throughout life.

In the Meats Judging Contest, Sevier County was represented with three individuals. Christy Newsom placed third high in the Senior Competition with Kylee McMahan placing eleventh high and Anthony Jose placing thirteenth high in the Junior Competition.

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 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 4-H, contact Glenn K Turner at 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 Judging Team Members (from left) (front row) Kylee McMahan, Anthony Jose, Kyle Bush, Grayson Boling, Holly Glynn, Alex Batey and Gracie Glynn. Back row – Christy Newsom, Olivia Browning, Colin Tilman, Justin Conner, William Barbee, David Hall and Nate Sams