By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Five Hall County 4-Hers compete in state championship
0923-4H-state-congress
Five Hall County 4-H members — Devin DiMizio, Jenna Kirby-Van Nostrand, Anna Minor, Robbie Sheppard and Courtney Woodard — attended and competed in the 71st Annual Georgia 4-H Congress.

More than 26 of the top 4-H’ers in the state competed for the state championships in their 4-H project areas July 23-26 at the Crowne-Plaza Ravina in Atlanta. Five Hall County 4-H members — Devin DiMizio, Jenna Kirby-Van Nostrand, Anna Minor, Robbie Sheppard and Courtney Woodard — attended the 71st Annual Georgia 4-H Congress.

DiMizio competed in the poultry and egg science project with a presentation about grading eggs. DiMizio is certified through the State of Georgia to grade and sell eggs.

In her demonstration, she talked extensively about interior and exterior egg quality. She was the first-place demonstration winner and won third overall.

Kirby-Van Nostrand competed in the state food lab competition June 21 at Rock Eagle in the Festive Foods for the Family Project.

The one-hour lab requires contestants to cook a festive food, provide a menu and themed table decorations and answer food safety and health-related questions.

Kirby-Van Nostrand’s festive dish was a gluten-free pizza with the crust made from cauliflower.

Minor competed in the fruits, vegetables and nuts project. Her demonstration was about peanuts.

Her presentation included a look at the history of how peanuts came to the United States, how they are grown and harvested and the many uses of peanuts.

She was the second-place state winner.

Sheppard captured first place in the outdoor recreation project with his comprehensive demonstration on geocaching.

He talked about what geocaching is, what equipment you need and how to get started. Geocaching is an activity Sheppard enjoys with his family.

With his first-place win, Sheppard became a 2013 Master 4-H’er.

Woodard impressed the judges in the horse project with her demonstration on Coggins.

Courtney told what this disease is, how it spreads, how to test of it and the state requirements needed to prove your horse has been vaccinated against Coggins.

Woodard was the second-place state winner. She placed first in the contesting division at the 2013 State 4-H Horse Show, earning her a second Master 4-H title.