Many youths are sitting along a stream bed, each with a clipboard, making notes.
Youth create wildlife management plans based on a set scenario.

Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County

Calling all young nature enthusiasts and future agricultural experts! Forsyth County 4-H is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Wildlife and Poultry Judging programs, offering an exciting opportunity for 4th-12th grade students to dive into hands-on learning this spring.

Why Join a 4-H Judging Team?

Judging teams are more than just competitions—they’re a journey into the world of agriculture and family and consumer sciences. By participating, students gain a wealth of knowledge and develop critical life skills such as public speaking, decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Whether you’re passionate about poultry or fascinated by wildlife, there’s a place for you in these engaging programs.

Several students examine chicken boilers hung from a rack.
Students learn how to evaluate ready-to-cook poultry products using USDA standards and apply this skill at the district contest.

Poultry Judging: Hatch a New Skillset

Ever wondered what it takes to work with chickens and eggs? Poultry Judging is your chance to dive into the world of poultry! You’ll get to learn how to judge live chickens and market poultry, and even check out eggs to see if they’re ready to sell. The best part? You can show off your skills by explaining your choices to judges, which helps you get better at thinking and talking about your decisions.

Seven students posing for a picture, some holding live hens.
Poultry Judging offers youth the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences with live hens.

Practices start on March 3 at the Forsyth County Extension Office, and we’ll wrap up with an exciting contest in Gordon County on April 17. Want to join the fun? Email Ms. Heather at heather.haines@uga.edu for more details!

Wildlife Judging: Explore the Great Outdoors

If wildlife sparks your curiosity, the Wildlife Judging program is perfect for you. You’ll learn to identify native species, understand their habitats, and develop strategies to manage wildlife populations. This immersive experience deepens your appreciation for nature and equips you with valuable knowledge about wildlife conservation.

Practices kick off on March 4 at the Forsyth County Extension Office, culminating in a thrilling state contest at Rock Eagle 4-H Center on April 26. Interested in joining? Please reach out to Ms. MaKenzie at makenzie.leatherwood@uga.edu.

A Cost-Free Learning Adventure

Thanks to the generous support of United Way of Forsyth County, participation in these judging teams is free! It’s a fantastic way to engage with the community, learn new skills, and make lasting friendships.