By Allie Miller, 2024 Grant County 4-H Council Reporter, 16 years old.
The State 4-H Conference is an event where each Senior member of the youth in 4-H from each county around the state of New Mexico is given a chance to compete against others in various presentation and judging competitions. They compete as county teams and as individuals. Not only are they given the chance to compete, but each night they spend at the conference, they are given the chance to socialize and also unwind from the long and eventful days they spend there. This year, the 2024 State 4-H Conference was held July 8th - July 11th in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Eleven of our youth participated in judging contests, along with other 4-H youth from around the state of New Mexico.
Grant County did extremely well this year.
The 2024 Horse Judging Team placed 1st in the state. The Horse Judging Team members consisted of Sarah Gardner, Tucker Gatlin, Tanner Frost, and Dusty Waters. Each of these members qualifies for nationals in Denver, Colorado as a team.
From left are: Horse Judging Team Coach Carlie Gatlin, Dusty Waters, Sarah Gardner, Tucker Gatlin, Tanner Frost, 4-H Agent Jessica Massengill
The 2024 Livestock Judging Team 1 placed 3rd in the state. The members of Livestock Judging Team 1 members consisted of Sarah Gardner, Tucker Gatlin, Tanner Frost, and Kaleb Newman. Tucker Gatlin placed 3rd highest individual in the state. [Livestock Judging Team.jpg goes here] Pictured left to right: Sarah Gardner, Tucker Gatlin, Tanner Frost, 4-H Agent/Coach Jessica Massengill
The 2024 Livestock Judging Team 2 also did very well in the state contest. The members of the Livestock Judging Team 2 consisted of Carson Moore, Dusty Waters, Kayleigh Massengill, and Cayden Lopez.
The 2024 Skillathon Team 1 placed 4th in the state. The Skillathon Team 1 members consisted of Cayden Lopez, Tucker Gatlin, Kayleigh Massengill, and Sarah Gardner.
The 2024 Skillathon Team 2 placed 7th in the state. The Skillathon Team 2 members consisted of Tanner Frost, Westin Fell, Kaleb Newman, and Carson Moore.
The 2024 Agronomy Team also did very well in the state contest. The members of the Agronomy Team consisted of Chris Bennet, Kayleigh Massengill, Dusty Waters, and Laney Lopez.
Each of our youth who competed at the State 4-H contest worked very hard. They spent weeks upon weeks preparing for their competitions, which paid off in the end. We want to thank all of our volunteers and coaches for their hard work and dedication to serving the youth of Grant County and wish the Horse Judging team good luck at nationals!
This photo includes all Grant County 4-H participants at state. Back row from left are ?Coach Carlie Gatlin, Chris Bennett, Tucker Gatlin, Cayden Lopez, Carson Moore, Tanner Frost, Westin Fell. Front row from left are Dusty Waters, Kayleigh Massengill, Laney Lopez, Sarah Gardner, 4-H Agent Jessica Massengill.
