2026 Central Region 4-H Poultry Judging Participants from Smith County Back Row (L to R): Oakley Lawrence, Aubrey Hicks, Scarlett Hicks, Charlotte Driver, McCall Kemp, Emmy Bibbings Front Row (L to R): Jett Regan, Willow Lawrence, Gracie Driver, J Allen Kemp
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10 Smith County 4-H’ers traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to put their skills to the test and show off their knowledge about many different aspects of the poultry industry at this year’s Central Region 4-H Poultry Judging Contest.
Since the end of August, these 4-H members have been practicing diligently for this contest. By participating in 4-H Poultry Judging, 4-H’ers learn how to evaluate live birds for their laying capacity, how to grade eggs by evaluating their interior, exterior, and broken-out quality, how to identify various ready-to-cook poultry parts, as well as how to grade those parts and whole chicken carcasses for quality. Our 4-H’ers also learn how to identify defects in further processed poultry products like chicken nuggets and chicken patties.
One hundred fifty-one youth from across middle Tennessee competed in this year’s regional Poultry Judging contest, and we are so proud of the way that our contestants in particular represented themselves and Smith County.
Our Junior Team, made up of Gracie Driver, J Allen Kemp, Willow Lawrence, and Jett Regan, placed 6th out of 11 teams in their division.
Our Junior High Team, made up of Aubrey Hicks, Scarlett Hicks, McCall Kemp, and Oakley Lawrence, placed 4th out of 11 teams in their division, and Oakley placed 10th individually. Charlotte Driver also competed in the Junior High Division.
In the Senior High Division, Emmy Bibbings represented Smith County.
We also had three Smith County 4-H volunteers graciously sign up to be group leaders for the contest. Special thanks to Leisa Bibbings, Sara Vantrease, and Cynthia Zeitz.
I would describe that as an egg-cellent day! Congratulations to each of these 4-H’ers for a job well done!
The various components of the Poultry Judging contest help our 4-H’ers develop their critical thinking and decision-making skills, be better stewards of their own poultry flocks at home, and even prepare them for future careers in the agriculture industry.
If you have any questions about how to get involved in Poultry Judging or any other aspect of the 4-H Poultry project, please call the Smith County Extension Office at 615-735-2900 or email rpetty@utk.edu.
4th Place Junior High Poultry Judging Team L to R: Scarlett Hicks, Oakley Lawrence (10th Place Individual), and Aubrey Hicks. Not Pictured: McCall Kemp
