2025 4-H State Potato Grading and Identification Contest

The 2025 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 7, 2025. One hundred sixty-eight 4-H members participated in this exciting contest. 4-H youth from Armstrong, Berks, Bucks, Bradford, Carbon, Delaware, Indiana, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Potter, Schuylkill, Union, and York Counties all tested their knowledge of spuds.

The contest is comprised of two divisions: basic and honors. Those who compete in the honors division are winners from previous years. The 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. At the sixth station, the contestants must pick a Premium Pack. This means that out of 30 potatoes the ten most uniform and defect-free potatoes must be chosen. 

This contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision-making, defending your answer, quickness, and observation. These skills are used for judging potatoes and also 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.

In the Basic Division, the first place "A" team was from Lehigh County.  The second place "A" team was from Northampton County with team members Adam Geiger, Lirael Cooney, Ian Wagner, and Mackenzie Ford. The third place "A" team was from Carbon County, and the fourth place "A" team was from Montgomery County.

The first place "B" team was from Montgomery County, second place "B" team was from Lehigh County, and third place "B" team was from Lebanon.  Northampton "B" team placed fourth with team members Eli Geiger, Porter Lindeman, Davin Boyle, and Jacob Mann. 

The first place "C" team was from Lehigh County.  The second place "C" team was from Northampton with team members Addison Kromer, Tessa Klein, Caleb Kromer, and Dominick DiNapoli.  Montgomery County's "C" team placed third in the "C" division.  Lehigh and Braford members together composed the "C" team placing fourth.

High scoring individuals in the A division included Northampton members: Lirael Cooney in 3^rd place and Mackenzie Ford in 5^th place.  High scoring individuals in the B division included Northampton's Eli Geiger coming in 1^st place.  High scoring individuals in the C division included Caleb Kromer from Northampton County coming in 1^st place.  High scoring individuals in the D division (beginner) division included Northampton member Haylee Yost coming in 8^th place.  Several other individuals from across the state participated in the E Division, which was the same event, but non-competitive.  This division is for counties with large delegations and for Cloverbud members who are 5-7 years old.

Top three placing honors contestants were all from Lehigh County, out of nine contestants.

All counties in Pennsylvania are encouraged to form a potato judging team for next year. Training materials are available. 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'd like more information.