The 2024 State 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest was an exciting event held at the Catoosa WMA. Open to Tennessee 4-H members in the 9th – 12th grade, the contest drew over participants from across the state. Highlights included hands-on wildlife challenge, wildlife management plan, oral reasons, and a team activity. The day concluded with the announcement of the top team Knox County, winning a trip to the National Wildlife contest, as well as team plaques as well as a plaque for the extension office.
The 2024 State 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest was held at the Catoosa WMA on (INSERT DAY). This contest was open to Tennessee 4-H members in the 9th – 12th grade with 18 participants from across the state. Counties that participated at the Tennessee 4-H State Wildlife Judging Contest were:
- Knox County
- Smith County
- Shelby County
- Carter County
- Grundy County
Highlights included a hands-on wildlife challenge, developing a wildlife management plan, giving oral reasons, and participating in a team activity. The day concluded with the announcement of the top team being from Knox County! The winning team was made up of the following 4-H members:
- Macaiah Dyck
- Kenton Swartz
- Samantha Taylor
- Savannah Taylor
High Individual: From L to R: Mr. Chris Graves, Extension Specialist; Samantha Taylor (High Individual); Dr. Craig Harper, Professor and Extension Specialist.
As a reward for winning the Tennessee 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest, Knox County will be competing in the National Wildlife contest held in Brownwood, Texas.
Behind Knox County, Smith County finished in 2nd place followed by Shelby County in 3rd place. Smith County’s wildlife judging team included 4-H’ers Easton Bibbings, Emmy Bibbings, Gabe Harville, and Owen Meeks. As for Shelby County, their team included the following 4-H members:Evelyn McGee, Sarah Pyburn, Kira Sadowsky, and Victor Sadowsky.
4-H is a youth development program of the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University. 4-H develops youth to thrive and to “make the best better.” Youth participate in 4-H through clubs, special interest groups, after-school programs, camps, and many other methods. 4-H youth “learn by doing” through hands-on activities, starting in their own communities, and reaching far beyond; while empowering them to develop and strengthen valuable life skills. To learn more about Tennessee 4-H, please visit https://4h.tennessee.edu/.
