Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
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 a senior high team placing fifth and a junior high team placing fourth.
The senior team includes members Olivia Browning, William Barbee, Anthony Jose and Colin Tillman.
In the Junior High division, the fourth place Sevier County team included Keeara Barbee, Ezequiel Jose and Hailey Weston. As individuals, Hailey placed 6th high overall. Thanks to Casey Berg and Dixie Seaton for coaching the teams.
4-H Forestry Judging team members (front row – left to right) Ezequiel Jose, Keeara Barbee, Hailey Weston, Coach Dixie Seaton. (back row – left to right) Anthony Jose, Colin Tillman, William Barbee and Olivia Browning.
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 a senior team and two junior high individuals. The senior team placed second and has qualified for the state contest next June at UT Knoxville. Senior team members include Justin Conner Nate Sams, Claire Jenkins and Jade Leach. As individuals, Justin placed third, Nate fifth, Claire sixth and Jade seventh high.
4-H Meats Judging team members (front row – left to right) Shelby Flynn and Charlie Majors. (Back row – left to right) Jade Leach, Justin Conner, Nate Sams, Claire Jenkins and coach Jeri Haun.
In the junior high division, Shelby Flynn and Charlie Majors represented Sevier County. Shelby placed seventh high overall as an individual.
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 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.
