Baldwin County students put a creative spin on one of Alabama’s signature crops during the annual Sweet Potato Cook-Off Sept. 15 at the Baldwin County Farmers Federation building in Robertsdale.

Sponsored by the Baldwin County Farmers Federation in partnership with the Baldwin County Extension, the competition brought together middle and high school Family and Consumer Sciences students from across Baldwin County. Participants prepared original recipes featuring locally grown sweet potatoes.

The dishes ranged from desserts to breakfast treats as students competed in junior and senior divisions. Judges Ed Kane, Donna Shoen and Bobbie Lane selected the top entries in each division.

In the senior division for grades 9-12, Sarah Davis Thompson of Baldwin Preparatory School earned first place with Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Zipporah Biggs of Robertsdale High School took second place with Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pound Cake, while Baldwin Preparatory School student Channis Hibbert placed third with Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls.

In the junior division for grades 7-8, Zoie Cowan of Central Baldwin Middle School won first place with Sweet Potato Honeybun Cake. Eliza Garlock of Elberta Middle School placed second with Sweet Potato Cheesecake, and Aubree Harcrow of Summerdale Middle School earned third place with Mini Sweet Potato Whoopie Pies.

The cook-off also included educational activities focused on local agriculture and food production, giving students an opportunity to learn more about the crops grown in their community and the agricultural industry that supports them.

Sweet potatoes are Alabama’s official state vegetable and are known for their taste and nutrient content, including vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. They are also a fat-free food. Baldwin and Cullman counties are the state’s largest sweet potato producers, while Alabama ranks among the top 10 sweet potato-producing states in the United States. The crop has an economic value of $11.8 million to Alabama.

Tiffaney Plato, Baldwin County Career Technical Supervisor, supported participating students, while Dawn Hopper and the Baldwin County Farmers Federation sponsored the event. Local sweet potato growers from Peturis Farms, Sirmon Farms and the farm of Daniel Volovecky also contributed to the event, supporting its focus on youth agricultural education in Baldwin County.