May 19, 2020
Shout Out: Food Judge Training Team
Talk about a group that deserves a Shout Out! This team received not one but two Shout Out nominations from two of their colleagues. Both Brandy Berg, 4-H Program Assistant with K-State Research and Extension Riley County, and Northeast Region 4-H and Youth Development Specialist Diane Mack both requested that the Food Judging Training Team deserved a huge Shout Out. Diane wrote:
“I’d like to send a Shout Out to the Food Judge Training team. The team included Beth Hinshaw, 4-H Youth Development, SE; Karen Blakeslee, Rapid Response Center; Jennifer Terrell, 4-H Youth Development, Southwind District; Crystal Futrell, Health and Nutrition, Johnson County; Linda Beech, Emeritus; and Diane Mack, 4-H Youth Development, NE.
After COVID-19 hit, the planning team transitioned the training from in-person to virtual. Using the skills of the team, a three part series was developed. Over 270 participants from across the state, plus out of state, registered. Karen recorded short videos of food products so participants could apply their judging skills. One experienced judge commented that she feels confident to judge food exhibits virtually if the need arises.
All recordings of the training and resources are available at https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/judging/index.html.”
Brandy exclaimed, “They did a wonderful job planning and coordinating the multi session Zoom Foods Judges Training. Participants could ask questions and were given the opportunity to judge foods items via video.”
Food Judge Training Team, thanks for the way you came together and responded to our current COVID-19 challenge. You empowered our future food judges by making them feel confident and competent at food judging, and you did it while keeping their and your health and wellbeing in mind by doing it via distance technology!
Thanks for the work you do for the people we serve, your colleagues, and K-State Research and Extension.
I believe we are now all caught up on Shout Outs. The only problem with that is we need one for next week. If you know of a colleague or team of colleagues who deserve a Shout Out, please email me their name(s) and the reason for the Shout Out to ghadley@ksu.edu.