For more than a century, 4-H has empowered young people to become confident leaders, skilled professionals, and engaged citizens through hands-on learning. Today, that mission is advancing through National 4-H’s 4-H “Beyond Ready” initiative, which prepares youth not only for their next step, but for lifelong success in an ever-changing world. In Forsyth County, 4-H judging teams are helping youth build the technical knowledge, leadership abilities, and workplace-ready skills needed to thrive in future careers and communities.
Through programs like Poultry Judging, Wildlife Judging, Forestry Judging, Consumer Judging, and LifeSmarts, students gain practical experience in agriculture, environmental science, natural resources, and public speaking while strengthening essential competencies such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making. These experiences help youth become “Beyond Ready” by connecting classroom learning to real-world challenges and career pathways.
Poultry Judging Builds Career-Ready Skills
This spring, the Forsyth County 4-H Poultry Judging Team explored the science and technology behind commercial poultry production, one of Georgia’s leading industries. During weekly practices, participants learned to evaluate egg quality, grade poultry carcasses using USDA standards, identify poultry parts, and assess live birds. Along the way, students strengthened analytical thinking, attention to detail, and industry-specific knowledge that aligns with careers in agriculture, food science, veterinary medicine, and agribusiness.
On Wednesday, April 22, the team traveled to Henry County to compete in the Northwest Area Poultry Judging Contest. The annual contest is organized through Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department of Poultry Science.
Team members included Tallulah Bates, Elise Cureton, Emma Haines, Harper Haines, Inha Hwang, and Blake Turner. The team was coached by 4-H Youth Development Agent Heather Haines and Certified Volunteer Miranda Meeks. The team placed 4th overall.
Beyond competition results, students gained valuable workforce skills, including professionalism, teamwork, and the ability to make informed decisions under pressure.
Wildlife Judging Connects Youth to STEM and Conservation Careers
Wildlife Judging offers another pathway for youth to explore STEM and environmental careers while developing leadership and critical thinking skills.
The contest challenges students to evaluate wildlife habitats, recommend management practices, identify species and food sources, and create conservation plans based on plots of land and specific scenarios. Teams present their findings to judges, building confidence in public speaking, technical communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Additional portions of the competition include species identification, habitat analysis, and a written knowledge assessment.
On Friday, April 17, Clara Cureton, Elise Cureton, Vander Gilbert, Adithya Singaravelu, Joseph Portelli, and Generosa Portelli traveled to the North Georgia Area Contest at Wahsega 4-H Center. The team is coached by 4-H Educator MaKenzie Leatherwood and Certified Coaches and Master Naturalists Extension Volunteers Winston Davis, Michele Murphy, and Zuly Rueda.
The Junior Team, made up of Elise Cureton, Vander Gilbert, Joseph Portelli, and Adithya Singaravelu, placed 2nd overall. Individually, Adithya and Elise tied for 1st place in Specimen Identification with perfect scores. Clara Cureton and Generosa Portelli competed as a Senior division team and placed 5th overall. The duo was able to advance to the state contest held in Athens at UGA’s Whitehall Forest, where Generosa placed 5th overall in Specimen Identification.
Looking Ahead: Forestry Judging
Students interested in environmental science, teamwork, leadership, and outdoor careers can participate in our next judging opportunity: Forestry Judging. Registration will open online in June, with practices beginning in July. The Area Forestry Judging Contest takes place in September and includes tree identification, pacing, map reading, compass use, and forestry tool applications.
Forestry Judging helps youth strengthen technical and leadership skills while exploring one of Georgia’s most important industries. Participants gain hands-on experience that prepares them for future education and careers in forestry, land management, environmental science, and conservation.
To learn more about Forsyth County 4-H programs or how to get involved, contact the Forsyth County Extension/4-H Office at 770-887-2418 or email forsythcounty4h@uga.edu. Forsyth County 4-H is proudly supported by the University of Georgia, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, the Forsyth County Board of Education, and community donors.