
The contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision making, defending your answer, quickness, and observation
Lebanon County 2025 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest team members. L to R: Anna Houser, Amy Moyer, Jeremiah Moyer, Kenny Moyer, Grady Sanders, Rayce Morgan. Front row L-R Everett Sanders, Liam Monk, Gable Monk (Courtesy photo)
LEBANON, Pa. — 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 from sixteen counties.
Competitors test their skills at three stations. The first station is a “potato grading” station. The station is a timed event where competitors are challenged to see who can grade or evaluate 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.
The Potato Grading and Identification contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision making, defending your answer, quickness, and observation. Enhancing the use of these skills helps prepare 4-H members for future careers and activities. The Lebanon County teams were comprised of members belonging to the 4-H Friends Club.
In the “A” division, from Lebanon County team members Anna Houser, Amy Moyer, Everett Sanders, and Grady Sanders received sixth place. Grady Sanders was recognized as the fourth place individual in the contest. The team was coached by Michelle Siebert, 4-H Volunteer.
The third place “B” team was from Lebanon County with team members Rayce Morgan, Kenny Moyer, Jeremiah Moyer, and Gable Monk. The team was coached by Michelle Siebert, 4-H Volunteer.
Liam Monk, participated in the Cloverbud division for members 5-7 years old.
–Penn State Extension Lebanon County