The 2022 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest took place Jan. 11 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Some 107 members of 4-H, comprising 27 teams, participated in the contest.

4-H youth from Bedford, Bradford, Carbon, Indiana, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton, Potter, Tioga, Union and York counties all tested their knowledge of spuds.

The contest includes two divisions: basic and honors.

Those who compete in the honors division are winners from previous years.

Competitors in the basic division must test their skills at three stations.

The first station is a “potato grading” station.

The station is a timed event where competitors challenge to see who can grade 100 potatoes in the shortest time.

Not only is quickness important, but so is accuracy.

The second station is a “defect station” where competitors must accurately identify 20 different defects on 40 potatoes.

The third station is a “plate” grading station.

Five potatoes are put on each of four plates. Each plate must be evaluated on uniformity of size and shape and lack of defects.

The plates must then be ranked in order. Two classes of plates must be judged.

Those in honors must complete three stations in addition to the basic stations.

The fourth station is comprised of two more plate classes.

The fifth station is estimating the weights of two large potatoes and at the sixth station, contestants must pick a premium pack.

This means that out of 30 potatoes, the 10 most uniform and defect-free potatoes must be chosen.

This contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision making, defending one’s answer, quickness and observation.

These skills are used for judging potatoes and are also used for judging livestock and other items in 4-H.

Enhancing the use of these skills helps prepare 4-H members for future careers and activities.

The first place “A” team was from Lehigh County with team members Marisa Berger, Sadie Berger, Jonas Geiger and Konnor Weisner.

The first, second and third place “B” teams were from Lehigh County.

First place team members included: Trevor Bowman, Allison Emanuel, John Emanuel and Emily Laudenslager.

Second place team members included: Kamryn Fink, Parker Haydt and Payge Haydt.

The third place “B” team members included: Darren Bowman, Kaitlyn Dietrich, Levi Lazarus, and Samuel Lazarus.

The top two individual awards in these divisions were presented to the following Lehigh members, respectively: Marisa Berger and Payge Haydt.

The Cloverbuds included Alex Weisner of Lehigh County.

All counties in Pennsylvania are encouraged to form a potato judging team for next year.

Training materials are available, and groups are welcome to come for a trial run if they wish.

Horticulture Educators, Master Gardeners, local gardeners, and potato producers are all good resources for volunteer leaders.

Contact Kelly Weisner at kmb26@psu.edu if you would like more information.

Even if the 4-H members only learn a little bit about potatoes, they are developing important life skills and having a great time.

Many educational and fun activities are offered by 4-H in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, 4-H is coordinated by Penn State Cooperative Extension through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.

For more information about the above events or other 4-H activities, call 610-391-9840 or email LehighExt@psu.edu.

To learn more about 4-H, visit extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.