Consumer Decision Making Judging Teams first study about 4 chosen consumer products. The contest is run by then giving youth scenarios and four choices to rank 1st to last on each product studied. The Seniors will give a set of oral reasons to defend their answer on one of the products. They will not know which one until the contest. Junior High teams will be given a set of questions to answer about the product instead of Oral Reasons. Both teams then have a team event called “Group Think”. The team is given a problem to solve and have 10 minutes to read, discuss, and present their answer.
- Junior High : 6th – 8th grades; Senior: 9th – 12th grades
- Starts in July, one/two days a week. Will compete at the Tennessee State Fair in August for Regionals.
- Only Seniors can compete at the State competition if they place in the top 4 teams at Regionals. State Fall Judging Day is the first Saturday in October at UT Knoxville. They will be given 8 more products to study for the State Contest.
- If the Senior Team places 1st in the State contest, they will compete at FCS National Championships in San Antonio, TX in January.
- If a Senior Team places 2nd in the State contest, they will compete in the FCS Quiz Bowl at FCS National Championships in San Antonio, TX. Also in January.
Contact: Diane Vann
Horse Judging teaches youth to evaluate conformation, performance, and other factors to distinguish desirable characteristics in horses, riders, and equine performance events. Promotes ethical decision making and teamwork.
Who can participate: 4th – 12th graders
Time Commitment: January-March, 8 practices once per week, 1.5 hours
Practice schedule 2024, Fridays, 5:30-7
Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
Feb 7, 14, 21, 28
Contest is Tuesday, March 4th at the MTSU Miller Colosseum in Murfreesboro
Nationals: (when? Where? Is nationals an option?):
- First place team – Trip to the Eastern National 4-H Horse Judging Contest.
- First and second place teams – An opportunity to participate in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Judging Contest at their own expense
When: Winter January-March
Anything else? Horse judging gives students the skills to evaluate horses regarding the selection, function, and use of them in their lives, and arms them with the skills to make logical, informed decisions, work with others, and speak in public with confidence.
Contact: Emily Richards
FCS Skill-A-Thon Judging Teams
This judging team is all about identification. There are 3 areas of study:
- Foods and Cooking ID
- Sewing and Clothing ID
- Interior Design and Housing ID
There is also a team event called Life Skills Presentation. Similar to Group Think, the team will be given a problem to solve, but they confer together privately and then present their answer to the judges.
- Junior High: 6th – 8th grades; Seniors: 9th – 12th grades
- Starts in February, one/two days a week. Regional contest is at the end of March.
- Only Seniors can compete at the State competition at State Fall Judging, the 1st Saturday of October. They have to place in the top 4 teams at Regional to compete at State.
- State winners will compete at FCS National Championships in San Antonio, TX in January.
Contact: Diane Vann
4-H members are educated on evaluating 4 species of livestock (swine, cattle, goat, and sheep) based on industry standards. Participants are also asked questions regarding the classes of livestock and EPDs. Senior 4-H’ers give 3 sets of oral reasons at the Regional contest.
Contact: Bridget Garrison
Poultry Judging teaches 4-H’ers how to judge live hens, grade eggs, grade ready to cook poultry, and identify poultry parts. It also provides experience in organizing thoughts and defending decisions with oral reasons. In this contest, 4-H’ers learn to rank laying hens based on standards and quality, 4-H’ers will evaluate the chickens and tell why they think one is better than the other.
Contact: Clint Parker
The National 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) is designed to teach youth about the fundamentals of wildlife and fisheries science and management. The National Invitational Judging event is open only to senior division 4-H members. Junior-high and junior division 4-H members are eligible to compete at county, regional and state events. Natural resources management is learned through participation in the event and the associated educational programs. Additional benefits are the development of life skills and meeting other young people and professionals from around the country who have interests in natural resources.
Contact: Clint Parker