DATE: 5/23/06

CONTACT: Amy McCune, (864) 656-6651

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

State 4-H Poultry BBQ contest winners announced

CLEMSON – 4-H’ers came from all corners of the state to compete in the State 4-H Poultry BBQ Contest during the South Carolina Poultry Festival earlier this month in Batesburg-Leesville. Participants prepared and cooked chicken or turkey on the grill, and presented their finished dish.

They were judged on their ability to start and control the fire, safe food handling, preparation skills, cooking skills, visual presentation of the dish, completeness of the cooking, and taste. In addition, senior 4-H members, ages 14-19, were required to give a visual presentation on a poultry related subject.

Top honors went to: Anastasia Rivers from Berkeley County (9-11 year olds), Olivia Coleman from Saluda County (12-13 year olds), Kathleen Bontrager from Barnwell County (14-19 year olds – chicken), and Keri Bontrager from Barnwell County (14-19 year olds – turkey).

Kathleen and Keri Bontrager will represent South Carolina at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference to be held this fall in Kentucky.

Additional awards went to: Taravis Anderson , Joshua O'Quinn and Jonia O’Quinn from Richland County; Shyanne Cleveland and Hope Foxworth from Berkeley County; Kadra Mergogey, Bobby Brit and Latrelle Britt from Dorchester County; Chelsea Nichols from Saluda County; and Kelsey Bontrager from Barnwell County.

“It looks like barbecuing is a family affair in the Bontrager household,” said Mickey Hall, Clemson Extension 4-H poultry specialist. “Everyone displayed great cooking skills and safe grilling practices. All the kids did very well and we had a perfect day for this event."

This event was sponsored by the South Carolina Poultry Federation with additional support from the South Carolina Poultry Festival, the Clemson University Animal and Veterinary Department and the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, the knowledge and resources of Clemson University and the land grant university system to empower youth to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society.

To learn more 4-H in your community, contact your county Extension office or go the state 4-H web site at www.clemson.edu/4h.

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