Washington County 4-H’er Tyler Alderton wins state produce award

WASHINGTON — Washington County 4-H’er Tyler Alderton exhibited the Champion Vegetable Container at the Iowa State Fair, an Iowa State University Extension news release said last week.

Alderton was one of over 600 entries in the fair’s 4-H Horticulture Show, held Aug. 10.

The Vegetable Container Display class displays five to seven different kinds of vegetables grown in the exhibitor’s garden. The produce must fit into a decorative basket, box or container, not larger than one-half bushel. The exhibit is judged 75% for the cultural perfection of the vegetables and 25% for decorative arrangement. The ISU Horticulture Club sponsored the champion and reserve vegetable container awards.

William Schalmo of Poweshiek County exhibited the Reserve Vegetable Container.

In overall results, a handful of other Southeast Iowa counties placed well. The Top Performing Counties based upon points earned by the total placings of entries put Poweshiek County in first place with seven exhibitors, Jefferson County in third place with four exhibitors and Cedar County in fourth place with two exhibitors.

The Premier Pepper Exhibitor was Jordan Miller of Jefferson County, who also won the title of Reserve Premier 4-H Horticulture Exhibitor, and awarded the Superintendent’s Trophy, funded through the Iowa 4-H Foundation.