By Amanda Paschal, Carroll County Extension Agent
During the fall semester, 37 4-Hers participated in regional and state 4-H competitions across West Tennessee. On September 10th, 2022, Carroll County 4-Hers participated in the regional 4-H grill master competition in Jackson, Tennessee. The team consisted of Cadence Guinn, Bianca Richardson, Lillian Ellis, and Michael Ellis. Lillian Ellis was 3rd high scoring individual in the pork division and the team placed 4th overall in the region.
On September 15th, the Carroll County 4-H forestry team competed in the Western Region 4-H Forestry competition at Lone Oaks Farm in Middleton, TN. The junior high team consisting of Michael Ellis, Lillian Ellis, and Esme Lamb were first place in the regional competition. Lillian was the overall high scoring individual, Esme Lamb was 3rd high scoring individual, and Michael Ellis was 6th high scoring individual. In the junior division, Bella Ellis was 7th high scoring individual.
Two 4-Hers represented Carroll County at the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference in Crossville, Tennessee and the Western Region 4-H All-Star Retreat in Jackson, Tennessee. Bianca Richardson and Paige Costello attended the multi-state event representing Carroll County. While at this event, they participated in leadership activities, community service projects, and attended many workshops with 400 other youth from across the southern region.
On November 5th, Bianca and Paige were both inducted into the State 4-H Honor Club and the Western Region 4-H All-Stars. Both of these programs are levels of recognition for outstanding 4-H work in their local communities. The All Star organization encourages service to others through both individual and cooperative efforts. This purpose is expressed in the motto of the organization: “Service.” 4-H All Stars shall be expected to make a personal application of the motto.
The Carroll County land judging teams competed in the 4-H/FFA regional land judging competition on September 29th. Two of the three 4-H teams qualified for the State 4-H Land Judging Competition and Jacob Dickson was the 2nd high scoring individual in the 4-H contest and Cayce Kee was 3rd high scoring individual out of 60+ competitors. The two qualifying teams competed in the State Competition at Lone Oaks Farms placing 6th and 11th in the state. Jacob Dickson also took a role in leading the invocation at the state competition.
If you are interested in learning more about the Carroll County 4-H program, please contact Amanda Paschall at paschall@utk.edu or 731-986-1976. You can also follow our facebook page at Carroll County TN 4-H or visit our website at carroll.tennessee.edu.
Photo: Grillmaster (from left)- Michael Ellis, Lillian Ellis, Cadence Guinn, Bianca Richardson