GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Local FFA Chapters kicked off a week-long celebration last Monday, February 18th, in honor of National FFA Week. The week long tradition started in 1948, and this year, Gridley FFA ended the week of dress up days, roping and hay stacking competitions, and “drive your tractor to school days” with the County Line Cook-Off Competition.

Last year the event was held at Live Oak High School, but this year, Live Oak and Gridley FFA Chapters faced off in front of the GHS ag welding shop. Students began prepping their entries in the early hours of the morning vying for prizes donated by Gerlinger Steel & Supply Co. and MJB Welding Supply, with Live Oak hoping to take the win from Gridley, the reigning champion.

The County Line Cook-Off is a "design and build" cook-off where students turn their concepts into reality and then BBQ and smoke food entries to be judged alongside their handiwork. Nick Dreesman, Gridley High FFA Advisor, says "The event starts in January with students designing their own BBQ's. Smuckers from Chico donates food grade barrels and companies like Wizard Manufacturing donate structural steel to get the kids started. The kids are taught food safety and the instructors help their ideas come to life. It is a great example of how design meets the market. Just as much learning goes on during the build as the BBQ."

Entries varied from large, double-barrel smokers, to portable tail-gate grills as little as two feet wide, basic designs to ornate and artistic renditions. Judge Justin Lindell from Gerlinger Steel & Co. shared that categories of judging included size/scope, welds/fittings, theme and design. While judges made their rounds, students prepared their entries for the next portion of judging, the taste test.

A separate panel of 6 lucky judges including GUSD Superintendent Jordan Reeves, GHS Principal Justin Kern, and LOHS Principal Tony Walton, set to work ranking over 22 entries on size, cooked appearance, flavor, seasoning and texture. Students competed in two categories: Beef and All Other Meat.

With the judge’s final results in, July Taverner of Gridley took the win in the "Beef" category, with Conner Alexandar of Gridley FFA winning the "All Other Meats" category. For the "Design and Build" portion, Conner Alexandar placed again with his entry, taking the award for "Best BBQ Smoker Build," while Johnathon Silva of Live Oak won "Best Barrel BBQ Build."

Ultimately, Gridley High School remained undefeated, keeping the "County Line Grill-Off School Champions" plaque for the second year in a row.