What the Area Poultry Judging Contest Is
Georgia 4-H poultry judging teaches young people the standards used in poultry and egg production and marketing, then has them apply those standards to realistic decisions. The area contests are the first level of competition, and Tifton hosts one of five. The most recent Tifton contest was Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Tift County Extension Office, 1468 Carpenter Road, Tifton, GA 31793.
Divisions
| Division | Grades | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Cloverleaf/Junior | 4-8 | Area contest |
| Senior | 9-12 | Area contest, then state |
Teams cannot mix divisions, and every member must meet the grade requirement of the team's division.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Teams have 3 or 4 members. Individuals may also compete.
- A county's team score is the sum of its top three scores.
- A county may field up to three teams per division and must name them before the contest.
- Counties may bring up to 20 Senior members and 15 non-Senior members to their assigned contest.
- The first 15 Cloverleaf/Junior registrants from a county are guaranteed a spot. Others go on a waiting list, filled in registration order, with no county above 20 non-Senior participations.
- Each contest is capped at 120 non-Senior participants.
- Counties may attend any area contest location they prefer.
How the Contest Works
Classes follow the Rules and Standards in the National Poultry Judging Manual. An area contest includes:
- Two classes of past production hens
- One set of oral reasons
- One class each of Ready-to-Cook Poultry, Ready-to-Cook Carcasses, Candling, Exterior Quality, Broken Out, Parts ID and Breaded Products
- A multiple-choice written test drawn from the manual
Key Dates
The 2026 area contests were held April 20 in Lyons (Toombs County AgriCenter), April 21 in Tifton (Tift County Extension Office), April 22 in McDonough (Henry County Extension Office), April 23 in Cartersville (Cartersville Civic Center) and April 24 in Crawford (Oglethorpe County Ag Center). The state contest followed on May 1, 2026. The contest is held each year, so watch for the next Tifton date on the Extension calendar.
Awards and What You Get
- Every participant receives an award pin.
- Certificates go to the High Individual and the top three Junior and Senior teams at each area contest.
- The top two Senior teams from each area advance to the state contest, along with four at-large teams. The Senior High Individual from each area can also advance if not already on a qualifying team.
- No travel funds are provided for state qualifiers.
- The first-place state Senior team represents Georgia at the National Poultry Judging Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. Past state winners have earned Georgia Master 4-H'er status.
- Members of the first-place state team cannot compete on a team in future years, though they may compete as individuals.
Where
Tift County Extension Office, 1468 Carpenter Road, South Tifton, GA 31793. The contest is hosted by UGA Cooperative Extension.
Questions
Can a 6th grader compete?
Yes, in the Cloverleaf/Junior division, which covers grades 4 through 8. Only Seniors advance to state.
Can I compete alone?
Yes. Individuals may compete.
Do I have to go to my nearest contest?
No. Counties may attend any area location.
Who do I call?
Your county Extension office, or Georgia 4-H at 706-542-4444.
Official Links
- Georgia 4-H Area Poultry Judging Contest, Tifton: 2026 date and location
- Georgia 4-H Poultry Judging: divisions, rules, contest format, dates and awards
- Georgia 4-H poultry judging contest: state contest background
Georgia UGA Cooperative Extension: The Essentials
UGA Cooperative Extension has personnel in all 159 Georgia counties and describes its help as free and research-based, per the Extension overview. It is a collaboration between the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Three program areas
Agriculture and Natural Resources covers soil fertility, pest management, crop varieties, water quality and herd health. Family and Consumer Sciences covers nutrition, food safety and family finances. 4-H serves more than 170,000 students in grades 4 through 12, per the programs page.
How it helps
Expect workshops, field days, newsletters, phone and in-person consultations, and on-site visits to farms, businesses and homes on request.
Next steps
Use the "Find Your Office" link on the Extension site to reach your county office.
Local programs differ by county.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Blue Ridge Cattle Classic
Two-day junior cattle show at the Union County Agricenter in Blairsville, part of the Georgia 4-H and FFA winter show circuit.
Blairsville, GA Official event details - Rockin The Ridge Market Hog Show
Market hog show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Fannin County Ag Facility in Blue Ridge, run by the county FFA Alumni.
- Syrup City Harvest Classic Cattle and Pig Show
Three-day cattle and pig show in Cairo, the Syrup City, scheduled for November 13-15, 2026. Held each year as part of the fall youth livestock circuit.
Cairo, GA Official event details - MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day junior cattle show held in the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis County, on the Georgia 4-H show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details - The MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day cattle show at the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, scheduled for November 14, 2026. Held each year on the fall youth show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.