4-Hers place at Food Challenge
By Sam Waller
Seven teams of Shackelford County 4-Hers brought home ribbons from the District 7 Food Challenge held Wednesday, Jan. 26, in San Angelo.
“That contest is really difficult,” Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said. “The kids have to learn some serious nutrition information.”
The event was held in conjunction with the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, so each team placed twice.
Bell said one factor is the 4-Hers must be able to prepare a wide variety of dishes at the district level.
“The kids don’t know what foods they’re going to be cooking ahead of time,” she said. “They’re given the food that day and have to know nutrition facts about those foods without being able to prepare for it ahead of time.”
Bell said having all seven teams finish the competition was significant.
“It’s a really challenging contest,” she said. “Every year, teams drop out once they realize how difficult it is. The fact that we had seven teams see it all the way through to the end and do that well was very pleasing to me.”
In the senior age group, the “Eggcellent Chefs” team of Faith Fry, Landon Kreitler, and Natalin New finished third in the 4-H competition and sixth in the stock show contest.
In the intermediate division, the “Crazy Chefs” team of Grace Fry, Brook Green, and Rowdy New was third in District 7 and fourth in the stock show, while the team of Cayla Green, Loghan Moon, and Charlee Patterson was fifth in 4-H and sixth in the stock show.
The junior age group had four local teams, two of which finished tied with the other two right behind.
“The 4 Quarters” team of Rainy Nitschke, Hattie Fikes, and Gibson Ware and “The Cooking Cowboys” team of Cody Fry, Truitt Burton, and Gage Burton tied for fourth in the District 7 contest and fifth in the stock show.
The “Brainy Snacks” team of Carly Kreitler, Artie Bell, Kalison Oliver, and Kimberly Howe placed fifth in 4-H and sixth in the stock show. The “Knife Ninjas” team of Addisyn Peacock, Claire Bellah, and Corrie Ceder placed sixth and seventh.
Upcoming Events
The Shackelford County 4-H Club has several project meetings scheduled for February.
A cooking clinic is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Friendship Baptist Church. The project will be pancake art.
A sewing clinic will be held at 2:00 p.m.. Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Shackelford County Public Library.
The Horse Club will meet at 6:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14 at the county show barn.
The monthly club meeting will be 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 at The Feed Store.
The first photography clinic will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 at the Church in Avoca. Shackelford County is partnering with Jones County 4-H. Photographer Josh Pearson will teach.
Shotgun practice will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 at Justin Trail’s ranch.
The Horse Club will have a field trip at 4:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, to Equine Vet Clinic in Potosi.
A gardening workday is set for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at Tamara Trail’s house.
