Austin HarshThis year’s recipients of the 4th Annual Baking Contest held last September at the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair are Austin Harsh, Cliff High School and Parker McMillan, Silver City School.  

These senior 4-H members applied for the scholarship and were awarded early in 2020. COVID restrictions and busy schedules prevented a group photo opportunity with the sponsors, State Representative District 38 Rebecca Dow, (the brainchild this scholarship), County Commissioner District 4, Billy Billings and Candidate for State Representative District 39, Luis Terrazas anteed up so two awards of $500 each could be given.

Austin is enrolled at New Mexico State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology. He then plans to move on to obtain either his Master's or Doctorate in either Agricultural Biology or Dentistry.  Austin plans to settle in a rural area and remain active in community organizations such as 4-H.

Parker McMillanParker will be taking online classes this semester through The University of New Mexico. His fields of interest include Business, Graphic Design and Engineering, but he is currently undecided.  

This year’s baking contest will still happen, just under different circumstances due to COVID.  Entreis will be taken for both Adult and Youth Category’s in Cakes, Cookies/Brownies and Pies.  Prizes will be awarded 1st – 3rd place in each category, Adult and Youth.  A 1st place prize winner will receive $50, 2nd place $25, and 3rd place  $10.  People entering will need to bring their entry to the Grant County Extension Office on Friday, Oct 2, 2020.  Entries will need to be in disposable dishware and a taste serving for the judge from each, but cakes, pies, etc. will need to be whole, so participants will have to bake 2, one for the family minus one piece for the judge and bring the other whole pie or cake for sale the next day at the Farmer’s Market.  One cookie or brownie in a separate baggie for that category and the rest may all be together.  Grant County 4-H thanks the same sponsors for their support in helping 4-H Youth in their educational endeavors.