Having the ability to make knowledgeable decisions when buying goods and services is critical for success.

The Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging contest is a contest to help 4-H’ers develop decision-making and evaluation skills. The contest is made up of two competition areas: judging classes and cotton promotion.  Competitors judge four classes of products or services.

Each class contains four similar items and has an accompanying situation statement. This year, students evaluated toothpaste, smoothies, backpacks and formal wear. The second part of the competition involves students learning about cotton and promoting it with an original commercial or speech.  

In November, six Liberty County 4-H’ers participated in the area contest in Lyons. Junior team members Tatiana Dates, Zoey Dates and Ethan Richardson placed fourteenth.  Senior team members Jonathan Adams, Monice Battle, and Kelly Lachowsky placed first, earning the opportunity to compete at the state contest this month. At the state contest, the team placed twelfth among the other area-winning teams.  The teams were coached by Gypsy James and Kasey Bozeman.

“Teaching youth how to quickly think on their feet when making consumer purchases is so important,” Bozeman said.  “I competed in this same contest as a 4-H’er over a decade ago and still use the knowledge and skills as an adult today.”
For more information about 4-H, call 912-876-2133 or e-mail uge3179@uga.edu.