Members of Frederick County 4-H were well represented at the Maryland State Horticulture Judging Contest at the Maryland State Fair on August 31.
The competition consisted of identifying flowers, vegetables and herbs, fruits and nuts, ornamental plants (trees, shrubs, vines) and pests (pests, weeds and diseases) and eight quality assessment classes. The senior participants also had to take a written exam consisting of 40 questions. The competition is based on the National Junior Horticulture Association identification lists.
The team came second in the junior class. Individually, Emma Funkhouser placed 1st in Flowers, Fruit and Nuts and Pests, 4th in Ornamentals, 2nd in Vegetables and first overall. Eli O’Hara placed 1st in Ornamentals, 2nd in Flowers, 5th in Vegetables, 6th in Fruits and Nuts, 3rd in Pests and 3rd Overall. Finley Cregger places 6th in Flowers, Ornamentals and Vegetables, 5th in Fruits and Nuts, 7th in Pests and 6th Overall. Aubrey Herndon placed 7th in Flowers, Ornamentals, Fruits and Nuts, Vegetables, Pests and 7th overall. Nathan Shriner placed 6th in Pests, 8th in Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables, 10th in Flowers and Ornamentals, and 8th Overall. Matthew Herndon placed 8th in Flowers, 9th in Ornamentals, Fruits and Nuts, Pests, 10th in Vegetables and 9th Overall.
In the intermediate class, Penelope Conlan came 1st in pests, 3rd in flowers, fruit and nuts and ornamentals, 4th in vegetables and 3rd overall. Abigail Shriner placed 5th in Flowers, 6th in Vegetables and Pests, 7th in Ornamentals, 8th in Fruits and Nuts, and 5th Overall.
Competing in the Open Division were Kira Anderson (1st), Bobear Anderson (2nd) and Joni Elbich (3rd).
Bobear Anderson represented Maryland 4-H at the National Junior Horticulture Association Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska October 11-14. He participated in the National Horticulture Judging Contest in the Honors category. Bobear came first in the competition and first overall against everyone! He was the Grand National Winner in one of the photos he submitted. He also became National Champion in two more photos he submitted. He also had an art entry, creative writing, poetry, treats and canned fruit.
Maryland FFA was represented in Nebraska by a team from the Frederick County Career and Technology Center. Those members were Nathan Dodson, Brooke Kellog and Johanna Brashear. The team came in second, Nathan came in first individually and Brooke came in fifth.
The on-site members were coached by Myrtle Sturtz, 4-H Volunteer and Susan Trice, Extension Principal Associate Agent for the University of Maryland.
