Quincy crop adviser makes the call on fair fruits, veggies

Webley judges on size, shape, color

Making the decision to match up giant pumpkins and eggplants with ribbons of varying colors is not an easy task.

That's why it's Craig Webley's job.

By day, Webley is the certified crop advisor for Quincy Farm Chemicals, Inc.

But Webley also took on duties as the judge of the fruits and vegetables contest for adults and for children in the Ag Building with the 2004 Grant County Fair.

It is Webley's second year as a judge, he said.

"The majority of the fruits and vegetables look pretty good," Webley said. "I think the heat's been hard on them."

Webley said that he is looking at the shape, size and color of the different produce in the competitions — from apples to zucchini.

"He is a very qualified person," said Master Gardener and Ag Building superintendent Susan Romano of the reasons she asked Webley to judge. "And he volunteers his time."

Romano said that the desired qualities in a judge are qualifications and a willingness to participate.

Romano said that the things that judges look for in the competition are the same regardless of the age group, although she did say that some allowances may be made for children, who might not have necessarily read the fair rule book.

Webley said he doesn't know the ages of the participants, so he primarily sticks to his criteria.

"It takes all of his day," Romano pointed out.

"Yeah, it takes pretty much all day," Webley concurred.

Romano said that Webley had been working since 8 a.m. on judging the different entries Monday afternoon.

"He's a good one," she said. "He picks every one up, looks at everything and then …"

But Webley was quick to spread the praise, indicating Romano and her co-superintendent, Kelly Shinn, both of whom stood by him as he made his judgments and discussed his decisions with him.

"They help me a lot," he said.