[Editor's Note: Read to the bottom to see everyone who participated and who won awards.]
SILVER CITY-The 2019 State 4-H Conference was another successful year for Grant County 4-H members. Sixteen youth from around the county competed in ten state contests at the conference. Cursten Blanton, from Grant County, the 2018-2019 State 4-H Song and Recreation Officer also completed her year of service as a State 4-H Officer. Cursten completed her duties and gave a retiring address to complete her tenure in Grant County 4-H.
Grant County 4-H members competed in Prepared Public Speaking, Land Judging, Horticulture, Livestock Skill-a-thon, Livestock Judging, Consumer Decision Making, Horse Bowl, Agriculture Presentation, Wildlife Habitat Evaluation, and Range Management.
Cody Lewis gave a speech titled “What I have learned showing Livestock.” He did very well in the contest.
Austin Harsh participated in Consumer Decision Making.
MJ Drennan, Matthew Garrison, Jeraiah Garcia, Javiel Garcia, Madison Miller, Julian Garcia and Cooper Miller participated in the Horticulture contest.
On the Horse Bowl team was Ashleigh Armijo, Justin Billings, Carson Billings and Randi White.
Jeraiah Garcia, Matthew Garrison, MJ Drennan, Julian Garcia, Javiel Garcia, Cooper Miller, Madison Miller and Carson Billings competed in the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation contest.
On the Livestock Judging Teams were Kolby Taylor, Justin Billings, Carson Billings, Cursten Blanton, Cody Lewis, Ketch Bays, Randi White and Ashleigh Armijo. Cody Lewis, Ketch Bays, Randi White and Ashleigh Armijo,
Livestock Judging Team 2 placed 6th at the State Contest. Ketch Bays was ranked 12th in the state.
On the Livestock Skill-a-thon teams were Kolby Taylor, Justin Billings, Ashleigh Armijo, Carson Billings, Randi White, Cody Lewis and Ketch Bays.
Justin Billings was 2nd high individual in the contest and received a $250 scholarship from the Department of Animal and Range Science.
In the Range Management Contest Team 1, MJ Drennan, Matthew Garrison, Jeraiah Garcia and Cooper Miller placed 4th and Team 2, Julian Garcia, Javiel Garcia and Madison Miller placed 5th.
The Land Judging Team once again represented Grant County 4-H well. Kolby Taylor, Justin Billings and Randi White competed in the contest. Kolby Taylor was high point individual of the contest and Justin Billings was 2nd high point. The team ended up winning the state contest and came home state champions.
Three teams participated in the Agriculture Presentation Contest Julian Garcia and Javiel Garcia gave a presentation on archery.
Cooper Miller and Madison Miller gave a presentation titled “The Dichotomous Key.” The brother and sister team placed 4th in the state contest.
Austin Harsh and Cody Lewis also gave a presentation titled “Show Pig Nutrition” and won the presentation contest.
“I am incredibly proud of the youth of Grant County 4-H,” Grant County 4-H/Ag Agent Jessica Swapp, said. “I would also like to thank all of the volunteers, coaches and parents for their help in preparing the youth for the contests.”
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