4-H’ers to Compete for Minnesota Poultry Crown at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — What does showing a chicken, grilling a chicken and acting like a chicken get you? A chance at being crowned the next member of Minnesota’s royal poultry family! Contenders of the Poultry Prince and Princess Contest will show that they know way more than how to cluck, however. Poultry Prince and Princess contestants will display their superior knowledge of America’s favorite protein at the second-annual contest at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair. The scholarship program of Minnesota 4-H and Gold’n Plump gathers Minnesota’s brightest poultry leaders from August 25 to August 28, 2011, to compete for two seats as state poultry ambassadors.
Open to 4-H poultry youth who will be entering grades nine or higher this school year, the Poultry Prince and Princess contest culminates with a final round and coronation ceremony at the state fairgrounds Poultry Barn at noon on August 28, 2011. The top three female and top three male contestants from the first and second rounds will put their knowledge, confidence and personality on display as they answer four category-specific questions. One question even requires clucking, walking or dancing like a chicken! WCCO reporter John Lauritsen will host the 2011 Poultry Prince and Princess coronation ceremony.
The 2011 poultry royalty will earn their chicken crowns and capes from last year’s first-ever winners – John DeBuhr and Alysha Thielen – and will celebrate their victories by participating in the Minnesota State Fair parade. This year’s winners will also have their portraits painted while in royal garb by illustrator Steve Thomas – the official 2011 State Fair artist. Along with $1,000 scholarships, the Poultry Prince and Princess will have the opportunity to expand their speaking, interview and presentation skills through a media coaching session and industry and publicity appearances during their year-long term.
“Amidst all of the fun at the Minnesota State Fair, it’s so wonderful for us to have the opportunity to highlight the expertise of Minnesota’s young poultry leaders,” said Brad Rugg, director of 4-H Fairs and Animal Science Programs, University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development. “We’re pleased that the Poultry Prince and Princess Contest is back after a successful first run.”
To make it to the final round, Poultry Prince and Princess contestants must first compete in the tried and true tradition for 4-H’ers involved in poultry – the Interview, Quiz and Showmanship. Round one, taking place on August 25 at the state fairgrounds Poultry Barn, tests participants on their poultry knowledge, presentation, handling of their own poultry birds, and personal appearance. Minnesota 4-H’ers must also show their grilling skills at the Chicken BBQ Contest on August 27 in DNR Park. Contestants will be scored and timed on their ability to scrumptiously and safely grill Gold’n Plump chicken.
“This contest is a great way for Gold’n Plump and Minnesota 4-H to grow public interest in Minnesota’s poultry industry,” said Rory Bidinger, brand advocacy and marketing manager for Gold’n Plump. “What most people don’t know is that Minnesota’s poultry industry is valued at about $1 billion of total economic impact.”
As well, it has been shown in University of Minnesota research that over 26,000 jobs in Minnesota depend on the economic viability of Minnesota’s poultry industry of broiler chickens, eggs and turkeys. According to the USDA’s March 2011 report, annual U.S. chicken consumption per person rose to 82.2 pounds in 2010 and is expected to grow to 84 pounds in 2011. By comparison, beef declined to 59.6 pounds and pork to 47.7 pounds. In addition, Minnesota is the top state for turkey production in the U.S.
About GNP Company
Based in St. Cloud, Minn., GNP Company is a family-owned provider of premium chicken products to retail, deli and foodservice customers throughout the Midwest and in other parts of the country, sold under the Gold’n Plump(®) and Just BARE(® )brands. The company officially changed its name from Gold’n Plump Poultry to GNP Company in 2011 to better distinguish between the company and its brands. It employs about 1,600 people and partners with nearly 350 family farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin to produce wholesome, high-quality chicken. For more information about the company, visit gnpcompany.com; for product information visit goldnplump.com and justbarechicken.com.
About Minnesota 4-H Extension Program
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 123,000 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 2011 Poultry Prince and Princess Contest at http://z.umn.edu/4hpoultryprinceprincess and view photos of the 2010 contest at Gold’n Plump’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/GoldnPlump.
SOURCE Gold’n Plump
