Minnesota 4-H’ers to Compete in Fifth Annual Poultry Prince and Princess Contest at 2014 State Fair
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 15, 2014 -- Minnesota 4-H poultry participants will display their superior knowledge of America’s favorite protein, chicken, during the fifth-annual Poultry Prince and Princess Contest from August 21 through August 24, 2014, at the Minnesota State Fair. The scholarship program of Minnesota 4-H and Gold’n Plump recognizes the knowledge, leadership and skills of the state’s top poultry youth by awarding two teenagers with poultry ambassador titles and $1,000 scholarships.
Contestants must compete in the 4-H Poultry Interview, Quiz & Showmanship competition, as well as the 4-H Chicken BBQ contest for a chance at the titles. The top three female and top three male contestants from the first and second rounds will display their confidence and personality by answering four category-specific poultry questions at a final round and coronation ceremony. WCCO-TV reporter John Lauritsen will once again host the live event at the State Fair’s Poultry and Sheep Barn at noon on August 24, 2014. Last year’s winners – Alex Oelke and Kristina Allen – will be present to adorn the new poultry royalty with feathered capes and crowns.
“This contest is a wonderful opportunity for Minnesota 4-H’ers in the poultry project to showcase their knowledge and leadership skills,” said Brad Rugg, director of 4-H Fairs and Animal Science Programs, University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development. “Having the Poultry Prince and Princess Program at the Minnesota State Fair is a memorable affair for everyone involved, especially the talented youth who showcase their dedication to the poultry industry.”
“We are honored to be sponsoring the Poultry Prince and Princess contest, which is now in its fifth year,” said Rory Bidinger, brand advocacy and marketing manager for GNP Company™, the company behind the Gold’n Plump brand. “It is a great opportunity to highlight Minnesota’s ranking as a top poultry state and the youth who positively impact its future.”
In fact, it has been shown in University of Minnesota research that more than 26,000 jobs in Minnesota depend on the economic viability of the state’s $800 million poultry industry of broiler chickens, eggs and turkeys. According to the USDA’s April 2014 report, annual U.S. chicken consumption per person rose to an estimated 82.7 pounds. By comparison, beef declined to 53.8 pounds and pork declined to 45.9 pounds.
About Gold’n Plump® Chicken | Good Chicken is Our Mission™
Gold’n Plump® is distributed nationally by St. Cloud, Minn.-based GNP Company—a family-owned provider of premium branded and custom chicken products to retail, deli and foodservice customers. The brand's good chicken mission centers on being truly all natural, highly trimmed and free of unwanted solution, skin and parts. The company employs about 1,700 people and partners with nearly 350 family farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin to produce wholesome, high-quality chicken. To learn more about the Gold'n Plump brand and its products, as well as find great recipes, general cooking and safe handling tips and nutrition information, visit GoldnPlump.com and find Gold’n Plump on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. For more information about the company, visit GNPCompany.com.
About Extension 4-H
Minnesota 4-H is an after-school youth development program provided through the University of Minnesota Extension. The 4-H mission is to engage Minnesota youth in quality learning opportunities that enable them to shape and reach their full potential as active citizens in a global community. Last year, more than 75,000 kids throughout Minnesota participated in 4-H and learned invaluable life skills. According to a 2009 report from a Tufts University national study, 4-H youth are more than twice as likely to be civically active and make contributions to their communities, and are 47 percent less likely to have risky or problem behaviors. For more information about the program, visit extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-H.
Learn more about the 2014 Poultry Prince and Princess Contest online at http://z.umn.edu/4hpoultryprinceprincess and view photos of last year’s contest and portraits at Gold’n Plump’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/GoldnPlump.
The 2014 winners will begin their roles as poultry ambassadors immediately following coronation with an appearance on the Minnesota 4-H float in the Minnesota State Fair parade. Winners will also receive:
• $1,000 academic scholarships
• Portraits painted while in royal garb by 2014 State Fair artist Emily Taylor
• Opportunities to expand speaking, interview and presentation skills through industry and publicity appearances
Leila Hirsch, Gold'n Plump Chicken, http://www.GoldnPlump.com, 612-337-0087, [email protected]
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