The 2014 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest took place Jan. 7 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Harrisburg.

Forty-five 4-H members, from Bradford, Indiana, Lehigh and Northampton counties, comprising nine teams participated in this contest testing their knowledge of spuds.

The contest is comprised of basic and honors divisions. 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 of which 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.

At the sixth station the contestants must pick a premium pack. This means that out of 30 potatoes, the 10 most uniform and defect-free potatoes must be picked.

This contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision making, defending answers, 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 members for future careers and activities.

There were a total of 34 4-H members in the basic division comprising of nine teams, an additional seven 4-H members in the honors division, and four Cloverbuds learning the program.

Lehigh County 4-H members placed second with their "A" team.

Team members were Christine Lambert of Alburtis, Jacob Adam of Coplay and Annika DeMaster of New Tripoli.

Lehigh County's "B-4" team placed fourth with team members Lucas Adam of Coplay, Amber and Tori Schiffert of New Tripoli.

Lehigh County's "B-5" team placed sixth with team members Sarah, Hannah and Jonathan Smith all of New Tripoli.

In the honors division Ian Royer of Schnecksville placed first and Jordan Rassler of Kempton placed second.

Lillie Geiger placed third and Olivia Geiger placed fourth. Both are from Schnecksville.

Brandon Selig of Germansville placed fifth, Grace Royer of Schnecksville placed sixth, and Margaret Durkin of Schnecksville placed seventh.

The Lehigh County Cloverbud was Jonas Geiger of Schnecksville.

Contact Kelly Weisner at kmb26@psu.edu for more information.