Smith County 4-H Excels at Achievement Day

The Area Project Achievement Contest that took place on April 6^th in Cookeville at the Hyder Burks Pavilion with Smith County being represented by thirty-six 4-H’ers. Over 200 4-H’ers from eleven counties competed in this event. Demonstrations were given by 5^th graders and 6^th – 8^th graders presented interactive project boards.

Tennessee 4-H offers its members a choice of 27 project areas. 4-H’ers are encouraged to choose a project or projects and build their knowledge of the project subject material. They also complete activities related to the project area, keep records of their activities, give written and oral demonstrations/display boards about their projects, and participate in judging and other contests involving their project. 4-H’ers are encouraged to work with parents, volunteers and other 4-H’ers who share similar projects. In many cases, clubs are formed around a project area, such as county horse clubs and livestock groups. Project work not only increases a 4-H’ers knowledge of a particular subject of interest to them, but project work can also prepare them for a career in that field, such as veterinary science. Scholarships, prizes, awards, and special recognition are also the rewards for project work.

One way 4-H’ers can participate in their chosen project area is to compete in Project Achievement Contests held in local clubs and then on to multi-county competitions. Twenty-three Smith County 4-H’ers gave demonstrations in the Area Project Day:

1^st place: Evelyn Jones, Cameron Nixon, Connor Hughes, Abe Goolsby, Kailey Young

2^nd place: Ava Grisham, Hayden Bush, Cole Harper, Gracie Green, Lance Ballard, Hannah Anderson, Avery Woodard,

3^rd place: Fisher McRae, Emma Smith, Lilli Dillard, Abby Woodard, Augusta Long, Abby Malone

Participation: Makara Grey, Owen Gregory, Corinna Cowan, Libby Miller, Ally Farley

Project Display Boards was the competition for 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grade 4-H’ers at the Area Project Achievement Day. These boards were judged on creativity, neatness, message told and workmanship as they presented their boards one-on-one to a judge during the contest. Project Exhibit winners:

1^st place: Campbell Baker, Gary Claywell, Brooke Grisham, Emma Baker, Colby Adams, Tyler Hackett, Aubree Heady

2^nd place: Olivia Jarvis, Shelbie Manus, Casity Wilkerson

3^rd place: Elizabeth Johnson

Participation: Dylan Richmond, Hannah Borck, Grace Borck

Awards were also presented at the Area Project Day for the Central Region’s Project Portfolio competition (31 counties). The 4-H project achievement portfolio is for 4-H members to be recognized for outstanding project work. Olivia Jarvis was awarded 1^st place in the Food Science category and Gary Claywell placed 4^th in the Poultry Project.

Congratulations to these 4-H’ers – they are ALL winners by putting forth the effort to present their demonstrations and display boards during this competition. Also a big THANKS to the parents for encouraging and supporting these 4-H’ers. For further information on any of the opportunities 4-H has to offer the youth of Smith County, call 735-2900.

Smith County was represented well by thirty-six 4th – 8th grade 4-H’ers at the Area Project Fair in Cookeville on April 6th. They competed with project boards and demonstrations in various 4-H project areas.