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Local 4-Hers win National Contest
Friday, October 30, 2009 - Posted 3:39:54 PM by Marshall-Putnam 4-H
James Leigh, Joe Fecht and Matthew Hahn, Marshall-Putnam 4-Hers, were members of the Illinois Meats Judging team that placed 1st at the National 4-H Meats Judging Contest. The three young men belong to the Bennington Go-Getters 4-H club and have been on the local Marshall-Putnam Meats Judging team for the past three years. Their fourth teammate, Ellie Bretzman, is a 4-Her in Iroquois County.
The National contest was held Tuesday, October 27 – 28, 2009 at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. The contest is part of the American Royal Livestock Show. The Illinois team competed against 4-Hers from Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky and Iowa. Out of a possible 2250 points, the Illinois team earned 2159 to win the top honors. Meats Judging at the National level includes 5 categories of placements and identifications. The 4-Hers are required to rank wholesale and retail cuts of beef and pork as well as identify retails cuts and give oral reasons to the judges. The retail ID includes species, wholesalel cut, retail cut, type of cut, cooking method for that cut.
James, Joe and Matthew have been coached by Marshall-Putnam 4-H volunteer, Debbie Leigh of Toluca, for the past several years. The Marshall-Putnam 4-H Sr. team has placed 1st this year at the State Contest and the Invitational Contest. Debbie works with a group of 4-Hers from ages 8 to 18 teaching them about Meats Judging. Anita Wilkinson, Marshall-Putnam 4-H program coordinator said, “I am so proud of these young men and thankful for Debbie’s wonderful influence and training! Without her continued support and expertise this opportunity would not have been possible. It is a great example of what a difference being a volunteer can make.”
In addition to being First Place team overall they also placed very high in many individual scores. James Leigh won 4th overall, tied for 1st with a perfect score in Retail ID and was awarded 2nd after the tie breaker and 7th in Retail Judging. He is the son of Debbie and Bill Leigh of Toluca. Joe Fecht won 9th overall, and 9th in Reasons, 10th in Retail Judging and 10th in Total Judging. He is the son of Deanna and Bob Fecht of Toluca. Matthew Hahn won 7th in Pork and 5th in Reasons, and 9th in Total Judging. He is the son of Pam and Dick Hahn of Minonk. Ellie Bretzman won 1st overall, 1st in Pork, 1st in Retail ID, 1st in Retail Judging and 2nd in Reasons.
"Meats Judging is one of the many opportunities youth have to develop a variety of life skills in the 4-H program,” Wilkinson explained. “Meats Judging just happens to be one of those life skills that can be awarded with plaques ribbons and scholarships.” The Illinois 4-H Meats Judging team returned home from the National Contest with five First Place team plaques, four individual plaques, many ribbons and one scholarship. “I think I am safe in saying, the experience our 4-Hers had at this contest was Priceless.” Wilkinson concluded.
For more information about 4-H Meats Judging or joining a local 4-H club, contact the University of Illinois Extension, Marshall-Putnam Unit at 309-364-2356 or email Anita Wilkinson at aswilkin@illinois.edu. The University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any program, please call 309-364-2356. USDA and Local Extension Councils Cooperating.
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