UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Five 4-H'ers represented Pennsylvania in three contest areas at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., last month.

Faith Houston of Templeton (Armstrong County) won the National 4-H Turkey Barbecue Presentation Contest. Her mother, Sandra Houston, served as her coach. Faith won a $500 Savings Bond, a gold pin and a plaque.

Jacob Haagen of Howard (Centre County) was high individual in the Production Hens and Oral Reasons Division and placed as the seventh highest individual overall in the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest. His mother, Sandy Haagen, also attended with the Pennsylvania delegation.

In the National Avian Bowl Contest, Pennsylvania was seated third after the quiz and placed fourth after the double-elimination "bowl" portion of the event. The team members, all from Montgomery County, were Lynnie Koonce of Pottstown, Amy Kriebel of Harleysville and Christe Thompson of Harleysville. The team was coached and chaperoned by Carolyn Blum and Betsy Thompson, both of Harleysville. Fourteen teams participated in this year's competition.

The PennAg Industries Association Poultry Council provided support for the Pennsylvania delegation's trip and helped sponsor the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference.

"These activities provide exceptional learning experiences, a lot of fun and excellent awards," says Phillip Clauer, senior instructor in Penn State's Department of Poultry Science, who coordinates 4-H youth poultry programs.

"Since 2002, Pennsylvania has offered new contests in Poultry Judging, Chicken and Turkey Barbecue Presentation and Avian Bowl, and Pennsylvania delegates have placed very well in this national 4-H event annually," Clauer says. "But we have yet to take a full delegation to Louisville due to a lack of participation at the state level. Youth are strongly encouraged to take part in one of these poultry contests in the future."

For more information, interested youths should contact Phillip Clauer (pclauer@psu.edu, 814-863-8960) or visit the Pennsylvania State 4-H Poultry Web site at http://pa4h.poultry.psu.edu.

###

Chuck Gill (814) 863-2713 cdg5@psu.edu