Chambana Sun

Youth from across Illinois participated in the Illinois 4-H State Poultry Judging Contest on August 10, held alongside the Illinois State Fair. The event focused on enhancing decision-making skills and teaching participants to justify their choices.

Dan Jennings, a University of Illinois Extension 4-H educator, stated, "Skills tested during competition include orderly decision-making, using reasoning skills, communicating decisions, poultry dish preparation, and food safety." He added that participants also needed to demonstrate knowledge in areas such as poultry species, food safety, physiology, nutrition, and eggs.

Competitors were evaluated in categories including past egg production hens and ready-to-cook fryers. In the junior division, Lydia Worsham from Macon County secured first place. Anna Wier from DuPage County came second followed by Kari Wier from DuPage County in third place.

In the senior division, Rachel Dickson from Kendall County took first place with Madison Glenn and Faustina Krysciak from Kendall County placing second and third respectively. The top four senior members will be chosen for the state team to compete at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville.

Illinois 4-H is a youth development program administered through the University of Illinois Extension's College of Agriculture. It aims to empower young people with leadership skills for life and career readiness. Research indicates that those involved are more likely to engage positively within their communities and participate in STEM programs.