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Justin Goodroad, a local 4Her and all-around poultry afficionado, competed at the state fair last week in the first-ever Gold'n Plump Poultry Prince Scholarship Competition. There's a Princess Kay for dairy farmers, there's a beef Queen and poultry farmers finally have a contest to call their own.

Goodroad was barely edged out of the champion spot by John DeBuhr, a 16-year-old from Chokio.

Goodroad displayed vast amounts of knowledge about poultry when questioned by judges, he was confident and polished in the chicken barbecue contest and he did well in the poultry showmanship part of the competition. In the end, Tuesday, Aug. 31, Gold'n Plump's Prince and Princess of Poultry-- the two who took home $1,000 scholarships and prizes-- did not include a Chisago County contestant.

Minnesota 4H and Gold'n Plump offered this prince and princess of poultry competition to recognize the knowledge, leadership and skills of youth in Minnesota's poultry industry.

There were 30 4H contestants. Judges were Rory Bidinger from Gold'n Plump, and Dianne Horhman and Mark Peterson, with 4H.

Showmanship was judged August 26, the BBQ competition was Aug. 28. Stage presence and the Q and A portion of the contest were Aug. 31. Goodroad made it all the way to the very final event. He did receive a gift basket worth $25 from Gold'n Plump and had lots of fun being in this contest.

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