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Over 110 youth participated at the 2019 Tifton Area Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Competition hosted by Georgia 4-H and Georgia Cotton Commission on Nov. 11, at University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga.

The Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Competition is part of the Georgia 4-H Healthy Living Program. This competitive judging contest teaches 4-H’ers about cotton as an agriculture commodity in Georgia as well as cotton promotion through commercials or advertisements. The competition offers youth the chance to build critical thinking skills, public speaking skills and life skills in consumer economics. The Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Competitions are sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Commission.

“Consumer Judging teaches youth how to think critically and make smart consumer decisions,” said Dr. Courtney Brown, Extension 4-H Specialist. “The skills learned in preparation for this competitive event are real-life skills that youth will continue to use throughout their lives when making purchases.” 

The area contest consists of two competition areas: judging classes, and advertisements and commercials. In the judging class portion of the competition, 4-H’ers are required to judge four classes of consumer items or services, ranking items based on provided details, factors and scenarios as well as provide oral reasonings for their selections. The advertisements and commercials portions require 4-H’ers to promote cotton and its use through a presentation, costume and poster.

Since September, Decatur County 4-H team members have been practicing and learning relevant terminology and information on breakfast cereals, blue jeans, camping tents and event venues. Senior team members (9th-10th grade) are Abby Bennett, Corbin Austin, Rachel Hayes and Stacy Vulgamore. Corbin Austin received 5th place honors for his cotton advertisement.

Junior team members (4th-8th grade) Fatima Peralta, Riley Starling, Lailae Smith and Olivia Griner were the 3rd place team with Olivia Griner receiving 7th place honors in Reasons and Fatima Peralta making 5th high Cloverleaf individual.