Hardeman County 4-H Members Compete at Western National 4-H Roundup

Gary Rodgers, Extension Agent III and County Director, Hardeman County

L to R Steven Gibson, Lucie Watkins, Anna Avery, Kaylee Bryant

Four Hardeman County 4-H members traveled to Denver and Fort Collins, CO January 5-9, 2022 to represent Tennessee in the Western National 4-H Roundup Meats Judging Contest. They are Anna Avery, Kaylee Bryant, Steven Gibson, and Lucie Watkins.

The team from Hardeman County placed 5th overall; 6th in placing classes and oral reasons; 7th in retail cut judging and 4th in retail ID.

The group was accompanied by 4-H Volunteer Russell Bryant and 4-H Agent, Gary Rodgers

The group competed against teams from Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Indiana and Wyoming on the campus of Colorado State University. The contestants were asked to place six classes and identify 30 retail cuts. The classes included beef carcasses, pork carcasses, beef ribs, pork hams, pork loin rib chops and porterhouse steaks. Oral reasons were given on pork carcasses, beef ribs and pork loin rib chops.

The team from Hardeman County, TN placed 5th overall; 6th in placing classes and oral reasons; 7th in retail cut judging and 4th in retail ID.
Individually, Steven Gibson was the high scorer on the team and 14th overall with a total of 670/750. He placed 9th in placing classes, 20th in oral reasons, 11th in retail cut classes and 16th in retail ID(264).
Kaylee Bryant was the runner-up high scorer on the team and 15th overall with a total of 665/750. She placed 23rd in placing classes, 14th in oral reasons, 24th in retail cut classes and 7th in retail ID(282).
Lucie Watkins was the 3rd high scorer on the team and 19th overall with a total of 627/750. She placed 19th in placing classes, 25th in oral reasons, 22nd in retail cut classes and 19h in retail ID(242).
Anna Avery finished the day in 4th place on the team and 26th overall with a total of 564/750. She placed 26th in placing classes, 27th in oral reasons, 23rd in retail cut classes and 23rd in retail ID(209).

The group chose to drive out west this year giving themselves a chance to take in the views of the open plains and the Rocky Mountains. The group traveled to Denver on Thursday for the opening ceremony and parade of flags. They visited Estes Park, CO on Friday as well as the Beaver Mountain Visitor’s Center at the foothills of the Rocky Mountain National Park, taking the chance to play in the snow and enjoy nature along with the spectacular views!