Each year the Georgia Cotton Commission assists with sponsoring the Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll & Consumer Judging Event- (CBCJ). This year’s area competition was held on Wednesday, November 7th at the Cartersville Civic Center. There were 189 students from across Northwest Georgia that participated in this year’s competition. Chattooga County was represented by 12 youth. The objectives for this event are:

·         To understand the importance of cotton as an agricultural commodity

·         To promote cotton in communities

·         To make knowledgeable, rational decisions when purchasing goods and services

·         Ability to select, use, maintain and dispose of goods and services in ways that maximize resources

·         To obtain clothing, goods and services to meet needs and reflect lifestyles, personal values and goals

·         Act as responsible consumer-citizen with an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the consumer, business and government

·         To learn to communicate reasons for choices made

 

The Chattooga County 4-H CBCJ Team consisted of 6 senior (9-12th grade) team members and 6 junior   (5-8th grade) team members. Senior team members were as follows: Tyler Bishop, Abraham Carrillo, Cody Conner, Victoria Hall, Melissa Maynard and Tiffany Maynard. Junior team members included Faith Coalson, Kaitlyn Conner, Kendra Conner, Molly Grogan, Tyler Hunt and Mekenzie Parker.

 

Chattooga County CBCJ Senior Team placed 2nd in the area event, with Victoria Hall placing 1st in judging and reasons. The senior team will now advance to the state competition, along with Bartow and Douglas counties. The state event will be hosted at Rock Eagle 4-H Center on December 8th. The Junior Team placed 1st in area, with Mekenzie Parker placing 1st in the commercial division. Team members began practice in October, practicing twice weekly in preparation for the competition. Certified coaches were Susan Locklear and Amanda Parker.

 

We are very proud of our team members and all the hard work and hours they spent in preparation for the competition. Excitement among the senior team is building as we move forward in preparation for the state competition. This will be the first time that Chattooga County 4-H has competed at the State Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Competition.