With Christmas barely a month off, the holiday shopping season is in full gear. 4-H’ers learn that having the ability to make knowledgeable, rational decisions when purchasing goods and services, such as during the holidays, is important.

The Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging contest is a competitive event where 4-H’ers develop decision-making and evaluation skills. The contest is made up of two competition areas: judging classes and cotton promotion. The 4-H members judge four classes of consumer items or services. Each class contains four similar items and has an accompanying situation statement. This statement describes a consumer and gives the needs to be considered when he or she makes a decision to purchase the item. Factors influencing these needs may include the person’s age, gender, available money, lifestyles, school or job status, preferences or other requirements that depend on the item given and the individual in the situation. This year, students evaluated sunglasses, gift cards, fast food meals, and neckties. The second part of the competition involves students learning about cotton as an agriculture commodity and promoting cotton through an original commercial or speech.

On Nov.1, nine Liberty County 4-H members traveled to the area contest in Lyons. Junior team members were Kyra Burmeister, Aliyah Jones, Melvin Kimble, Kye Lachowsky, Sharlena Moreland, and Aneelah Sanders. Senior team members were Nadia Crowley, Kelly Lachowsky, and Lexie Kozak-Baumgarter. The teams were coached by Gypsy Tart.

“Being a good consumer is more than just saving money. You have to know your personal needs and preferences, along with information about the specific item you are buying,” Tart said. “This 4-H contest teaches these young people how to properly evaluate items and make sound decisions. Being able to stand in a department store and buy the best product for your requirements can benefit you throughout your life.”

Liberty County 4-H offers a variety of educational and competitive events for youth in grades K-12.  For more information, please call 912-876-2133 or e-mail uge3179@uga.edu.  The next judging team for 4-H youth will be poultry judging in the spring.

With Christmas barely a month off, the holiday shopping season is in full gear. 4-H’ers learn that having the ability to make knowledgeable, rational decisions when purchasing goods and services, such as during the holidays, is important.

The Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging contest is a competitive event where 4-H’ers develop decision-making and evaluation skills. The contest is made up of two competition areas: judging classes and cotton promotion. The 4-H members judge four classes of consumer items or services. Each class contains four similar items and has an accompanying situation statement. This statement describes a consumer and gives the needs to be considered when he or she makes a decision to purchase the item. Factors influencing these needs may include the person’s age, gender, available money, lifestyles, school or job status, preferences or other requirements that depend on the item given and the individual in the situation. This year, students evaluated sunglasses, gift cards, fast food meals, and neckties. The second part of the competition involves students learning about cotton as an agriculture commodity and promoting cotton through an original commercial or speech.

On Nov.1, nine Liberty County 4-H members traveled to the area contest in Lyons. Junior team members were Kyra Burmeister, Aliyah Jones, Melvin Kimble, Kye Lachowsky, Sharlena Moreland, and Aneelah Sanders. Senior team members were Nadia Crowley, Kelly Lachowsky, and Lexie Kozak-Baumgarter. The teams were coached by Gypsy Tart.

“Being a good consumer is more than just saving money. You have to know your personal needs and preferences, along with information about the specific item you are buying,” Tart said. “This 4-H contest teaches these young people how to properly evaluate items and make sound decisions. Being able to stand in a department store and buy the best product for your requirements can benefit you throughout your life.”

Liberty County 4-H offers a variety of educational and competitive events for youth in grades K-12.  For more information, please call 912-876-2133 or e-mail uge3179@uga.edu.  The next judging team for 4-H youth will be poultry judging in the spring.