The 2006 National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference was held on November 15-16 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. The annual conference allowed 4-H'ers from all over the country to compete in educational events that help them learn to make and defend decisions, speak publicly, and gain skills in poultry-related subject matter.

This annual 4-H conference includes five separate events.  In the Poultry Judging contest, participants are required to judge ready-to-cook chicken and turkey carcasses, live production hens and market eggs.  In the Chicken and Turkey Barbecuing contests participants barbecue four chicken halves or two turkey fillets and give an oral presentation on the corresponding poultry industry.  In the Egg Preparation demonstration contest participants prepare an egg dish and give an oral presentation on the nutritional value of eggs. 

At the 2006 National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference, 136 senior 4-H’ers, representing 25 states, participated as teams or individuals. Eighteen teams participated in the Poultry Judging contest and the team from NC placed 9th overall. In the Poultry Judging contest, one NC team member, Kirsten Buslinger, placed 19th overall and placed 2nd in the Egg production category.  The NC Senior judging team placed 10th in the Market Poultry division and also placed second in the Market Egg division.  Additionally, two team members placed in the top 10 overall for Market Eggs. Each individual winner received a pin and a savings bond.

In the presentation contests, eleven individuals participated in the Chicken Barbecue contest, and our NC delegate, Leann Barger placed 4th.  There were eleven participants in the Turkey Barbecue contest, and our NC delegate, Jamie Carol Freeman placed 2nd.  In the Egg Preparation Demonstration there were twelve participants and our NC delegate, Caroline Finch placed 4th.  Each contestant received a savings bond and a pin.

Ms. Barbara Davis of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association attended the Conference and participated at the awards banquet.  Along with the 4-H’ers, an additional 123 people, including county extension agents, 4-H leaders, chaperones, coaches, family members and poultry specialists, helped make the conference a success.

The conference was funded through contributions of goods, finances, and services from many individuals, companies and commodity organizations.  A total of 35 organizations provided financial support for awards. 

We are encouraged that the majority of these 4-H participants are interested in attending NCSU and majoring in Poultry and/or Food Science.  All in all, this was a great year for NC at the conference and we are very proud of our delegation.

NC State Gold Medal Winners