Burke County wins first place at State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest
The senior team from Burke County won first place at the Georgia 4-H State Dairy Quiz Bowl contest on May 20 at the UGA Animal Dairy Science Complex. Team members Emmaline Cunningham, Tony Gray, Abby Joyner, Susanna Murray, and Holt Sapp were coached by Burke County 4-H Agent Meridith Meckel.
Dairy Quiz Bowl is a fast-paced competition that utilizes buzzers as contestants accurately answer questions related to the dairy industry. The quiz bowl content covers all topics related to dairy production and dairy foods, as well as dairy industry statistics, breed information, and dairy organizations. Confidence, independence, and compassion are life skills that result from participating in 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl.
According to Georgia’s Department of Agriculture, animal agriculture is the largest sector of the agriculture industry and contributes over $5.8 billion to the state economy. University of Georgia Animal Science faculty and industry experts contribute to the curriculum used to train 4-H’ers and help connect youth with pertinent applications of the skills they learn.
Heather Shultz, Georgia 4-H Extension Specialist for Livestock Programs, is grateful for the partnership with UGA. “We would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Jillian Bohlen, University of Georgia-Dairy Specialist, and the numerous UGA Animal Dairy Science staff and volunteers that helped facilitate the contest,” Shultz said. “In addition to the fun they have at Dairy Quiz Bowl, students gain critical thinking skills and knowledge of how agriculture in Georgia impacts their lives.”
Burke County 4-H will represent Georgia in November at the North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest in Louisville, Kentucky.
Three junior teams and three senior teams participated in the state contest. Junior teams are made up of youth from 4th grade to 8th grade and senior teams are 9th through 12th grade 4-H’ers. The first-place junior team from Oconee County included Sawyer Mathis, Tyson Mathis, Molly Ann McLean, and Bryson Woodruff.
Additional winners in the contest include second place senior team from Coweta County and third place senior team from Monroe County. The second place junior team was Burke County Team A and the third place junior team was Burke County Team B.
Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships and community awareness. As the largest youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches more than 225,000 people annually through UGA Extension offices and 4-H facilities.
For more information about how to get involved with Dairy Quiz Bowl and Georgia 4-H, contact your local University of Georgia County Extension Office or visit www.georgia4h.org.
By Josie Smith
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.