On July 21, PigCHAMP sponsored the 4th annual Story County Pork Producers Youth Grill-Off. This grill-off was held at the Story County Fairgrounds in Nevada, IA. This is a great opportunity for local 4-H and FFA Chapters to learn how to properly prepare pork.

This year we had a total of 8 teams participate to create a pork dish for our volunteer judges; Ryan Newstrom, Owner and Pit Master of Cornbred Barbecue, Steve Heller, Head Chef of Aunt Maudes and Kelly Sheets, owner of Vegas Show Pigs. Teams are judged on flavor, plating and oral presentation.

Smithfield Foods sponsored the event by providing a pork loin for each team that participated. Teams are given 3 hours to prepare a dish of their choosing. During this time, they must have People’s Choice tasting ready.

There was a wide variety of creations this year including sandwiches, kababs, and grilled cuts. The winner of People’s Choice was Roland Story, LTS 1. They will get the chance to compete at the Zearing Days BBQ Cook off.The overall winner of the grill-off was Nevada FFA Member, Wyatt Lewis, with a bacon wrapped pork loin. He will have the opportunity to compete at the Iowa State Fair in August.

PigCHAMP was a proud sponsor at this event with Smithfield Foods and the Story County Pork Producers. Thank you to all that participated and supported this great event. Below is a gallery of photos!


Group photo of all the participants


This 4-H team bought peaches from their local farm as a reminder to support your local farms.


This griller is ensuring that the meat is being properly cooked to 145°


One of the dishes entered for People’s Choice tasting.


This year we had a great turnout for People’s Choice.


Thank you to our judges for volunteering their time at this event. It is a great experience for our youth to have local chef’s and business owners as their judges.
From left to right: Steve Heller, Ryan Newstrom, and Kelly Sheets.
If you are ever in the Ames area don’t forget to stop by their restaurants and say hello!


4-H contestants presenting their dishes.


FFA contestants presenting their dishes.


The winner of the Story County Pork Producer youth grill off went to Wyatt Lewis of the Nevada FFA Chapter.


Donna, Jayne, and Hailey of PigCHAMP were happy to attend this event.