JWCC Ag Center to host youth livestock judging clinic
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
Submitted photo
The John Wood Community College (JWCC) Agricultural Education Center outside Perry is hosting a youth livestock judging clinic on Saturday, February 15. This photo shows Winchester High School participants in last year’s JWCC Ag Alumni Invitational judging competition, which takes place each September at the ag center.
The Fred L. Bradshaw Learning Center at John Wood Community College’s (JWCC) Agricultural Education Center outside Perry is hosting a youth livestock judging clinic on Saturday, February 15.
The event is open to youth ages eight to 18.
Participants will learn the basics of livestock evaluation and be given hands-on opportunities to hone their skills. 4-H/FFA membership is not required to participate.
According to JWCC Assistant Professor and Livestock Judging Advisor Justin Lewis, livestock judging is an valuable educational tool.
“I think judging contests are an extremely valuable experience in terms of working with students,” Lewis previously said of JWCC’s annual Ag Alumni Association Invitational judging competition.. “It helps students develop reasoning skills, decision-making skills, and memorization and recall skills. Students take away a lot of different skills from the contest, and it’s valued by the high schools and FFA advisors.”
In addition, retired JWCC Agriculture Department Chair Mike Tenhouse said that livestock judging is gaining popularity at JWCC and across the country, and the college views the activity as a way to recruit and engage students.
“We’re trying to grow our commitment to livestock judging as an activity,” Tenhouse said. “Our evaluation team is traveling to more events and we are offering some scholarships in the area.”
The clinic’s check-in period will start at 9 a.m. and last until the clinic starts at 9:30 a.m.
Lunch is at noon, and will be provided by the JWCC Ag Alumni Association.
The cost for the livestock judging clinic is $10 per person or a maximum of $25 per family. YQCA training is an additional $3.
Adams County youth registration cost will be covered by Adams County Cattle Association.
Register for the judging clinic at go.illinois.edu/judgingclinic.
