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 are also used 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 with team members Parker Haydt of Northampton, Emma Olmstead of Lenhartsville, Trevor Bowman of Slatington, and Miranda Brown of Palmerton.
Lehigh County’s “B” team placed second with team members Mary Rabold of Allentown, Levi Lazarus of Schnecksville, Bridget Rabold of Allentown, and Alex Weisner of Lenhartsville.
The first place “C” team was from Lehigh County with team members Hannah Keberlein of Northampton, Colton Hanna of Breinigsville, Darren Bowman of Slatington, and Harper Schantz of New Tripoli. A scramble team of Bradford and Lehigh placed 4th in the “C” division with Ava Missmer of Orefield from Lehigh County.
In the Beginner Division, Lehigh 4-H members Ben Missmer of Orefield, Quinley Hanna of Breinigsville, and Lauren Matulevich of New Tripoli participated.
In the honors division Sadie Berger of Kutztown placed first, Konnor Weisner of Lenhartsville placed second, and Jonas Geiger of Schnecksville placed third, Allison Emanuel of Laurys Station placed 4th, John Emauel of Laurys Station placed 5th, Payge Haydt of Northampton placed 6th, and Kamryn Fink of Germansville placed 9th, all from Lehigh County 4-H.
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 would like more information.
Information and images provided to:
Ingrid Garcia
Penn State Extension – Lehigh County
