Nebraska's 4-H Horticulture Team placed fourth at the National 4-H Horticulture Contest in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Each member of the four-person team placed in the top 20, with two placing in the top 10. The team, coached by Michael Rethwisch, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator, consisted of:
– Katharine Schudel, freshman, home school, North Loup
– True Siffring, freshman agribusiness major, UNL, David City
– Moriah Barta, sophomore, East Butler High School
– Ryan Langemeier, sophomore, Logan View High School
The Oct. 6 competition included eight sets of judging, an 80 question test and identification of 100 horticultural specimens such as seeds, twigs, leaves, fruit, flowers and underground structures. Schudel placed fourth individually overall and tied for first in the fruit, nut and berry, and landscape ornamental categories. Siffring placed 10th overall and second in the written portion of the contest. Barta placed 16th, while Langemeier placed 18th overall.
"I'm extremely pleased," Rethwisch said. "We hoped to squeeze in at fifth, and we exceeded that goal."
The team held practices at the Butler County Extension Office to prepare for the contest. The students brought plant specimens to examine and identify, and Rethwisch also collected some for the team.
"We had people in Butler County who didn't mind me traipsing around their yard and grabbing specimens," Rethwisch said.
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation also contributed to the team, helping to defray travel costs for the members.
The 2013 contest will be Oct. 12 in Williamsburg, Va.