National FFA Forestry Results (Pictures too)

[caveman]

Thank you to WDH, PetefromBearSwamp, and Curdog for sending samples and or volunteering to help prepare a fabulous group of young people for their National FFA Forestry competition which was held last Wednesday and Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky and Bernheim Forest.

The students were all on the Kathleen FFA forestry team that represented Florida at this year's national convention.  We loaded up last Saturday morning and drove to Rocky Top mountain near Ivy Log, Georgia to stay for a couple of days and try to learn how to ocular estimate hardwoods, accurately compass and pace on slopes (the part of Florida where we are from is very flat), learn to identify many trees by actual samples that were previously only seen by the team in photos, and practice for the dreaded interview and team portions of the contest.  We stayed in the area until Tuesday morning when we drove to Kentucky for the event.  While in Georgia, we visited the Chattahoochee National Forest ranger station and a biologist, Jim Wentworth, took time out of his day to talk to the students about forest pests/invasives and answer questions they had.  Also, the team walked up Brasstown Bald and visited Vogel State Park.  Each stop was an opportunity to work on different practicums.  Driving/riding time was used to review general knowledge for the written test.  While in Mammoth Cave Park I was nearly arrested and stuffed into the back of a minivan for taking a twig sample off of a beech tree in the middle of the forest.  Our female team member, Lexi, was giving me the business about that one.

At the awards banquet on Friday afternoon the results were announced.  Husqvarna and John Deere sponsored the event and provided awards, food, hard hats and were absolutely tremendous in making this event awesome.  The results are below.
1.  Kathleen FFA   FL
2.  Pocahontas FFA WV
3.  Calvin FFA LA
4.  East Richland FFA IL
5.  Alvirne FFA NH
The top three individuals were from the Kathleen FFA team from Florida.
1.  Taeler Dupre
2.  Brevyn Foreman
3.  Emmett Lee
4.  Kyle Trott  NH
5.  Matt Rao  WV

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 
After the event was over, we left out of Louisville at 3:30 p.m and headed south.  We arrived at my house at about 4:30 or 5 a.m. (after the time change).  This was an amazing opportunity for these students and myself.
Caveman

[WDH]

Wow, what an experience!  You have to be very proud of your team.  I have been there and know that the competition is very tough.  To win is an amazing result.  I tip my hat to you  8).

[Ron Scott]

Well done!

[hardtailjohn]

Awesome!!!   I'm feeling old.... just flipped across the National FFA Convention on the RFD channel the other day.... I attended 3 of them when they were held in Kansas City.... the 50th Anniversary was the last.
John

[caveman]

This FFA Convention was the 87th annual.  Kathleen Sr. FFA chapter had a busy week.  In addition to the forestry team, we had an ag mechanics team and an environmental science team.  Ag mechanics earned a bronze award and the environmental science team earned a silver.  Also, five of our recent graduates, including my oldest daughter attended and received their American Degrees.  Two of our freshmen competed in the National Science Fair and our chapter also received the Three Star National Chapter Award. 

I finally had a few minutes to go through all of the  forestry event scores and data that I was given at the event.  40 states had teams of four individuals competing in the forestry contest. One of my students who competed at the National FFA Forestry Contest 10 years ago sent me a picture of her team and a congratulatory text Saturday--she now teaches agriculture at a nearby middle school.

Several of the students from our chapter who went on this trip had never left Florida prior to last week.  Many saw snow for the first time on Friday evening (it was not much) and had a ball playing in it.
Caveman

[whitepine2]

WOW this brings back memories. I was in FFA in high school some 54 years ago,some fun times back then as is now,always enjoyed
field trips was a chance to get away from the farm and see what the rest of this world had to offer.

                     Whitepine2

[sandhills]

 8) 8) 8) 8)   Congratulations to the national champs!  And a very big pat on your back (and congratulations also) Caveman for giving those kids an education and a trip they'll never forget!

[WDH]

That is the way education should work.  Those kids will own this knowledge for life. 

[OneWithWood]

Congratulations, Caveman, on a job well done  smiley_clapping

[caveman]

Thank you for the kind words.  It truly was an amazing experience.  The kids, despite the rigorous study schedule we followed while in Georgia, kept rating this as one of their top three road trips ever. 

Next Wednesday, the forestry team that won the district contest on October 9th, will travel to Perry, Florida to compete in the state forestry contest.  The winning team at that event will represent Florida next October at the national contest.  The team practiced compass and pacing as well as timber cruising for a couple of hours this afternoon.  The area where we practiced today was under water until a week or so ago.  There were plenty of hungry mosquitoes.
Caveman

[RynSmith]

This it really cool, Caveman, thanks for sharing and congratulations to the students and to you!
8) 8) 8)

[thecfarm]

A mighty fine job by you and your students.

[pine]

What a fantastic learning opportunity that you had available to take and work with those kids on.  Congratulations.

[RynSmith]

Forgot to ask - are the axes the prize for winning?

[caveman]

The axes were prizes for winning and for individual accomplishments.  They also presented the students plaques.  I will have to get some close up pictures.  The handles were laser engraved and are really cool.  They are Husqvarna axes.  Also, I got a Husqvarna 545 to use at school.  I put it to work on Friday.  Nice, light saw.
Caveman

[caveman]

This is an addition to last year's FFA Forestry CDE post.  In 2014 Kathleen's FFA forestry team won the National FFA Forestry contest.  A few weeks after the event the students who were participating in Florida's state FFA contest from Kathleen eked out a win (2 points) and earned the opportunity to participate in the 2015 National FFA Forestry Contest which was held in Louisville, Kentucky last week.

We followed a similar schedule as we did last year.  Early Saturday morning we packed up and left Lakeland, Florida and headed to the mountains in northern Georgia.  We arrived just before dark due to being caught up in the I-75 parking lot south of Atlanta for two hours.  Sunday was spent in the woods practicing dendrology, estimating volume, identifying forest disorders and working on team activities.  We headed into Louisville on Wednesday so the students could take their written tests and participate in the practicums that were outside on Thursday.

Friday at the awards banquet, Kathleen's FFA chapter was announced as the first place team in the nation.  39 states sent their best teams to compete.  The students were ecstatic and completely surprised.  As the 139 students' rankings- Gold, Silver or Bronze were announced the anticipation mounted.  All of Kathleen's students earned Gold.  As the top 10 teams were announced,  it became apparent that Kathleen's team would either be 1st or 11th or 12th.  They were announced as National Champions.

The team members are
Hannah Scionti
Cody Clark
Shelby Carlton (my daughter)
Alex Yelvington

A special thanks goes out to PetefromtheBearSwamp and WDH for providing some dendro samples.

 [img]https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/22883/FFA_2015.jpg[/img

Caveman

[caveman]

 

 
2015 National FFA Forestry CDE 1st Place team
From left to right
Keitha Hall FFA Advisor
Alex
Hannah
Shelby
Cody
Kyle Carlton FFA Advisor (aka-Caveman)
I do not know why the photo did not post on the first attempt.
Also, we need to thank John Deere and Husqvarna for sponsoring the event and Jim Wentworth with the Chattahoochee National Forest for answering questions that the students presented him with in preparation for the event.

[Shotgun]

Congratulations to the winning team.  That was a real accomplishment.  You must be really proud of them.   


It must have been a huge conference. They absorbed the motel rooms for a 60 mile radius from  Louisville. We were trying to get a room Friday evening, and had to travel about 30 miles to find one.   ;)


Good going to the whole team.

[samandothers]

Congratulations Caveman for your work and the teams performance. And a well done to the FF members that assisted!

[beenthere]

Caveman

Friday at the awards banquet, Kathleen's FFA chapter was announced as the first place team in the nation. 

Catch us (or at least me) up on who Kathleen is, please.  The one you are connected with?

[caveman]

Beenthere, Kathleen High School FFA is the FFA chapter that had the forestry team that represented Florida at the annual FFA Forestry CDE (career development event).  39 states sent teams.  There were over 65,000 FFA members and guests registered at the 2015 FFA National Convention that was held in Louisville last week. 

This is quite an accomplishment for these students.  They prepared for a rigorous written test, chainsaw troubleshooting and safety, USGS topo map interpretation, compass and pacing, timber estimation, forest disorders, dendrology, TSI, wood and wood products id, interview, a team activity, and forest business management problems.  They did not know which they would be tested on until the day of the event. 
Caveman

[pine]

Not only can you be proud of your students and the work they put into this endeavor but you should be proud of yourself for the amount of time and effort that you have devoted to getting these kids out and seeing the real world and the environment that matters. (not concrete and not video games)

[Ron Scott]

Yes, a great job!

[WDH]

Wow!  Repeat national Champions.  That is quite an accomplishment.  I am proud of you.  You are doing a fine thing leading these students.  You are making a great positive impact on their lives. 

[caveman]

WDH left us a shortleaf pine sample in a red maple tree at the Perry, Georgia Cracker Barrel.  We found it in short order.  My parents brought us a pitch pine sample that he gave me directions to that was near Clayton, Georgia.  We left Louisville at 3 pm yesterday, passed through Perry, Georgia at 10:45 last night and rolled into my driveway in Lakeland at 3:35 this morning, which was really 2:35 (after the time change).  Each team member was given a Husqvarna ax that is laser engraved with "2015 National Champion Forestry CDE" and a plaque stating the same with their names on them.  They were recognized on the national FFA convention stage yesterday afternoon (televised on RFDTV).  We would have left early yesterday morning had they not won and would have gotten home at a reasonable hour but it was certainly worth hanging around for the final convention session.
Kyle

[OneWithWood]

Time now for a well deserved rest.
Congrats on a job well done. 8)

[caveman]

I wish there was time to rest, our students participate in the state forestry contest next week.  They are working every day during class and after school and all day on Veteran's Day to prepare for the event.  The way it works, is that if a student wins a state contest, they cannot participate in another district or state contest.  They only get one shot at nationals, whether they win or not.  The group going to the state is relatively inexperienced.

Also, Saturday we will haul hogs to Tampa to get their ears tagged for the state fair show.  This week will be crazy-need to weigh all of the hogs at school and several that are raised at students' homes.  After the hog tagging Saturday and a U12 soccer game, JMoore and I have to saw a mystery log for a fellow who called me today during forestry practice.  Rest may occur during Thanks Giving week.
Caveman

[sandhills]

A little late seeing this but CONGRATULATIONS!!! (once again I might add), it's great to hear this!

[kiko]

The FFA is very meaningful  to my daughter.  She did land judging in high school and her team made to the nationals in Oklahoma.  She represented Auburn University at the 2015 national convention.  She is studying agricultural education at Auburn.  Keep up the good work with the kids!

[caveman]

Kiko,
Your daughter may know Lauren Lewis Coe.  She now works at Auburn in the agriculture department and is an awesome individual.

  Our FFA chapter has competed at the national land judging contest in Oklahoma the past four years.  Two years ago, our students were fortunate enough to finish 2nd in land and 4th in homesite (one of my daughters was on that team).  I do not know much about land judging but I know how to drive the van, dig the holes and set up the slopes using the transit.  Last year we had several tornado sirens sound throughout the night-a new experience for a Florida boy.  The FFA

[caveman]

The FFA has provided a lot of students a lot of opportunities that they would not have otherwise have had.  Last week, we took our forestry team to the state contest in Perry, Florida.  One of the students lives in a housing project and goes inside his apartment as soon as he gets home.  Taking him into the swamp near my house for practice, walking through O'Leno State Park and participating in the state forestry CDE was a great experience for this young man.  Another one of our students is currently living in the third residence since August has had the opportunity to learn about forestry and accompany the team to all of the practice and event locations has benefitted from the experience.  At the contest last week our kids finished 4th (we won the past two years at the state and national level).  They were disappointed in their performance but I was pleased with the progress they made in such a short time.  A team from Plant City, Durant FFA, will represent Florida next year at the national forestry CDE.


Caveman

[caveman]

2018 National FFA Forestry Contest
The Kathleen FFA team from Lakeland, Florida placed 5th overall in the event that teams from 39 states participated in.  They exceeded my expectations for them.  The team from WV won and they were deserving champions.

The trip took a little over a week.  Last Saturday, October 20, students started arriving at my house around 5:30 a.m.  We left about an hour later.  My teacher friend who now teaches at my old school (Kathleen) arrived a little late due to an alarm that was set to p.m. instead of a.m.  I had not seen one of the students, Jacob, since last spring when he left to go to Gainesville to attend UF.  We were pushing to get to WDH's place to meet with him for a visit and to try to obtain a little bit of his vast knowledge of all things forestry related.  The students were incredibly impressed with Danny.  He spent over two hours of his busy day to show them around his place.  We had a long way to travel and he had to get to Customsawyer's birthday festivities.

A little after dark we arrived at my parents' place off of a forestry service road near Ivy Log, Ga.  The students settled in while I grilled some pork chops and Andrea, one of the KHS FFA advisors, fixed the other components of the meal.  Early the next morning we awoke to 34°F temperatures and a brisk north wind - perfect conditions for a group of young folks from the flatlands of Florida, where daytime highs have been in the mid 90's everyday for months to go for a walk along the ridge.  We took a three or four mile walk looking at white pines and a variety of hardwoods.  They were learning to timber cruise hardwoods for the first time.  After our walk they were given a team activity that turned out to be very similar to what they would get at the contest, fortunately.  I had them estimate a plot that I had staked off, determine the varieties and volume of all of the trees above 12" dbh, determine the size of the plot, estimate the steepest slope on the plot and a few other tasks to let them work through.  Later that afternoon, we walked through a park in Blairesville, Ga., to see some more of the trees on their dendrology list.

Monday morning we met with a forestry biologist from the Chattahoochee National Forest and two silviculturists who work with the Chattahoochee National Forest and Ocoee.  The students asked them questions about best management practices in their forests, endangered species, forest pests (native and invasive), urban forestry, and multiple use forestry.  Monday afternoon the group went to Brasstown Bald.  The weather was great and the Atlanta skyline could vaguely be seen in the distance.
That evening, they each compared their notes on the 10 possible forest interview topic that could be presented to them during the team interview portion of the contest, we partially disassembled a chainsaw (on the dining room table) and went over parts, techniques and safety and then each got ready for an early departure the next morning.

Tuesday morning we left a little after 7 a.m., fueled up the Suburban and I got the first of several cups of coffee.  We had reservations at Mammoth Cave for 3 p.m. (I have been wanting to go inside for many years).  We arrived early and they were able to change our tour to the 1 p.m. group.  The immensity of the cave was incredible.  The steps and handrails detracted from the experience - most of the two miles we walked had them.  There are evidently 410 miles of the cave we did not see during our two hour tour.  After a quick picnic lunch we loaded up and pointed the car north and headed for the hotel which was a half hour north of INDY.

Wednesday morning team pictures were taken, a contest meeting with all of the forestry teams took place.  Immediately following the meeting, the students took the written test and did the forestry team issues component.  Andrea and I met the team around 4 p.m. and headed back to the hotel change, eat and study for Thursdays events.  We spread out several USGS topo maps on the table in my room and reviewed legal land descriptions, elevations, map symbols and everything else we could think of that might be asked on a map test.

Thursday, at 6:10 I took them to the Indiana State Fairgrounds to board a bus with the 38 other teams for the trip to Morgan Monroe State Forest to complete the remaining contest components (which turned out to be forest products and wood i.d., dendrology, compass and pacing, and a team activity.  I caught a but at 1:00 p.m. to take the advisors to the contest for a review and to meet the teams.  We reviewed the challenging contest and made it back to the fairgrounds around 6 p.m.  The weather was phenomenal - sunny and cool all week until Friday.  Supper was eaten and the pressure was off.  I was proud of their efforts.

Friday at noon, the Forestry CDE banquet was held in the downtown Hilton.  The Florida team won the highest team event score and finished 5th overall.  I really appreciate the help from all of the folks who made this trip possible for these young folks.  Three of them graduated high school last year and are now in college and have jobs at Publix Supermarkets which made regular practices a logistical challenge.  The one who is still in high school transferred to the school where I now teach.  I left Kathleen after the 2016-17 school year but continued to work with some of the students with forestry, horticulture and occasionally a hog or two.

We left the hotel at 5:38 a.m. and began the drive back to Lakeland, Florida.  At 8:15 p.m. we pulled into the driveway after a 1000 mile drive.

[Ron Scott]

Sounds like a great educational trip. Well done!

[thecfarm]

Good job to all!!!

[samandothers]

Caveman,
Once again congratulations on helping to lead a team to such a great showing.  You are very devoted to helping the youngsters, good for you.  Also cudos to WDH for his help and time.  What a difference you guys are making by helping these kids.

[WDH]

What a fantastic finish.  Finishing first in the Team event has to make you doubly proud as that speaks to the strength of the overall team.  You rigorous prep work and study really paid off.  I also really enjoyed meeting the team and being able to spend a little time with them. 

[caveman]

This was a great trip with some fabulous young folks.  They definitely benefitted from the practice and the exposure to experts on the way up.  

[Don P]

Well how about that, John C just posted over on the countryplans site, the overall winners were from his neck of the woods. His family has been active with FFA for some years. The post is here;
https://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=15067.0

[caveman]

Scott Garber coached the Pocahontas, WV team.  His team finished 2nd behind ours in 2015.  When my team was practicing, I told them that if they beat WV and Ga. that they would be in good shape.  Scott is a good guy and I really enjoyed watching his reaction when he found out that his team had won.  That is a special feeling for the FFA members and the advisors too.  Most never experience a national championship.  

Thank you for putting that link on this thread.

[WLC]

Congratulations!! Awesome experience for these young people.

Where you stopped in GA is my old stomping grounds.  Brasstown Bald is a short distance from my home town of Helen.  Interesting too that you met Jim.  I didnt know him well as he worked on a different district than I did, but have met him on several occasions.  Small world.

[gdaddy01]

very good .   to teach young folks , yes

[caveman]

I am privileged to be able to take another Florida FFA team to the National FFA Forestry Contest next month.  This year it is different than any that I've previously been associated with.  There is a virtual component that will take place next Monday.  Some of the practicums are fair game for that online portion.  This is a huge step backwards in my opinion, but we'll play the game.  The general knowledge, USGS topo map interpretation, chainsaw safety, parts and maintenance, forest management, and wood products and wood ID are all potential online practicums.  I suspect they will have a general knowledge test and one of the others, but we have to prepare for all of them.  

After taking apart a Husquvarna 545, going through the procedures to start, run and shut of the saw, safety, and basic trouble shooting, I took a picture of the team holding some of our saws.


 

[samandothers]

Best of luck to you and your team!

[aigheadish]

Man, that 2nd from the left is a beast of a saw!

[Andries]

Let use know how they do at the Nationals, Caveman.
Being surrrounded by that much youth and enthusiasm would be inspirational.
Good luck!

[caveman]

Thanks for the encouragement.  We have our challenges with the weather, scheduling of the online portion and the fact that two of them are now out of school and I seldom see them.  The big saw is a 3120 Husqvarna.  It came into the country with Danish markings so it could not be sold retail.  We bought it to use to slab big stuff.  It still has not tasted gas.  I would not want to swing it all day.
The saws pictured are all Husqvarna.  From the left, a 572xp, 3120 xp, 359 and a 545.  We bought the 572's to replace the 365 that I killed by dropping a log on it while answering a phone call.  So far, the 572 has been a good saw but the 365 is still my favorite (I bought it for $100 off of a Maine transplant off of CL).  I did like the 572 enough to buy another two days after the first.

[thecfarm]

Yes, that saw is a biggum!!!
It's good you are helping the young ones.
WDH is proud of you.

[caveman]

The team completed the contest today at Morgan-Monroe State Forest in Indiana.  We'll find out tomorrow how they did.  We had a great trip practicing and being tourists on the way up.  We left my house a little after six on Sunday morning, picked up a former student at ABAC in Ga., then drove up to Blairsville, Ga.  There, we started walking trails doing tree i.d., working on TSI scenarios, compass and pacing, measuring trees and enjoying the cool weather and beautiful mountain views.

Monday, we visited the Chattahoochee National Forest ranger station and then a nearby park which had several trees that they needed to see in real life.  Later, we went to Brass Town Bald, working in my practice there and a picnic lunch before heading back to Gobbler Knob on Rocky Top to work on team activity scenarios and compass/pacing.

Tuesday morning we quickly winterized my folks' cabin and were on the road by 6:15.  We stopped in Mammoth Cave National Park and toured Diamond Caverns before heading towards Indy.  Just as we were coming by the Louisville Convention Center on I-65, the low tire air pressure indicator on the dash of the county's Expedition came on.  I pushed the OK button on the steering wheel and declared it fixed (sarcastically).  About 10 seconds later, the left front tire blew out while we were traveling in the center lane.  It took a quarter mile to make our way to the shoulder to unload all of the luggage, get the girls out of the car and determine that the jack engineering proficiency has diminished  since my truck was built.  We got the tire changed and the students logged on to catch the on-line orientation meeting while I stopped at the corner of Crack and Murder to air up the newly installed spare.

This morning the team boarded a bus at the Indiana State Fair Grounds to go to Morgan-Monroe State Park.  It was a challenging event and they all missed some tree i.d. that they should not have.  Results will be announced tomorrow night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The last picture is after the contest and after we walked through the dendro portion together.  They were exhausted, a little frustrated and relieved to be finished. 

[customsawyer]

You did well my friend. Ole Danny is just a grinning that grin of his. The memories you have made over the years for those young minds is amazing. You should be proud.

[Ron Scott]

Well done! Great experience and natural resource education for these young people.

[caveman]

Thank you men.  The team did not place in the top 10 teams.  I'm not sure exactly where they placed but I should find out in a day or so.  The link FFA provided did not work for us.  This has been a good experience for all of us.

My middle daughter, Shelby, teaches with me and accompanied us this week.  She and her team won this event in 2015.  Her husband, Taeler, was on the winning team from 2014.  My youngest daughter, Madison, is on this year's team.  I had an all girl team compete in 2004 but I did not accompany them because we were expecting Madison to be born the week of the event.  She arrived the next week, 18 years ago.

 I am thankful for this trip and the opportunity for this group to experience the things they have since we started preparing for this week.  They were the first forestry team in George Jenkins High School's 30-year history to make it to the National FFA Forestry CDE.  

There were so many times over the past few days I wanted to ask Danny a question or two.  

[Don P]

What you have given them is not going to gather dust on a shelf. That's big stuff  8)

They know how to keep cool, calm and collected on a stretch of highway whose mere mention draws puckers from any adventurer. I dread that tangle for an hour before shooting the rapids :D.

[thecfarm]

You are doing good and they are doing good because of you!!!

[Andries]

Caveman, your description of the trip was excellent, a good read. You're a natural born teacher and an example for us all to give back to our people and communities.
There's some unusual street names though . 😂😂. . I stopped at the corner of Crack and Murder to air up the newly installed spare. 

[caveman]

I may have embellished a little to protect the innocent regarding the street names.

[Andries]

Every good story has some 'spin' to it and all of us, past and present, thank you for it. 👍

[Don P]

I'm right certain that's where my muffler fell off and I didn't stop for another 6 hours  :D

[kantuckid]

As a supplement to the above FFA competion: I thought I'd mention the fact that 4H also has a Forestry Competion. We have in our county a fairly new Ag teacher who has already been named as a Teacher of the Year and has a very active FFA. Many years ago we had a County Agent who did the 4H version, but I'll be honest-he wasn't a great agent as actually lazy overall. But creds to him for what he did with forestry in a county where it's the largest industry other than school employment, in a area where it's the largest by far.
I considered doing the 4H version now after asking the ag teacher (whom I know) what his thoughts are, but fact is I'm too busy with a build project for now.
My main point here is to say that one version of forestry competion might be a better fit in your area, than the other?
Our ag teacher has a large greenhouse plus a donated AppHarvest growing trailer (they are nearby in Morehead, KY and have a 60 acre tomato operation under one roof) plus his class load, so not very likely he'll have time to actually do that. Later on I might volunteer, but not for now. There are better qualified folks who live here than I, like a real forester, but he stays hid out, sort of. Not sure he even works now? 

[caveman]

Last month, about a week after we got back from the national forestry contest in Indiana, we carried eight different students to Lake Kissimmee State Park to compete in the district contest.  The two teams finished first and second.  In about half an hour, the top five of those students will meet me at my house to go to Perry, Fl for the state forestry contest.  The winners on Thursday will advance to the national contest which will be held next October in Indiana.  Our team is comprised of some really sharp young folks, but they have not practiced some aspects of the contest as much as they should have (timber estimation especially).  We will make several stops on the 192-mile trip today to practice.

The weather here since before Thanksgiving has been "chamber of commerce" weather.  That will change tomorrow.  There is a cold front with a line of storms that should come through Perry tomorrow morning around 10.  The contest starts at 9.  This 40-50°, windy, rainy weather will present some additional challenges.  Regardless of the outcome, I'm glad to be able to take another group to compete.  

[customsawyer]

Best of luck to you and the students.

[caveman]

Thank you, Jake.  We drove a couple hundred miles today and walked several more in the woods looking trees, insects, diseases, measuring trees, and compass and pacing.  After supper, they did a dendrology practice test.  Sent them to their rooms around 9:45.  Tomorrow will likely be cool and rainy.  There will be some very competitive teams.  I still have to figure out which four of the five students I brought will compete.  Each time I think I have it figured out, one of them will surprise me one way or the other.  Regardless of how they end up tomorrow, they have learned a lot and have had a good experience.  

[caveman]

The team ended up 2nd overall to a very well-prepared Lafayette High School team.  The weather was much better than the forecast.  If I don't retire at the end of this year, I hope to be able to bring three of them back next year (two will graduate).

 The girl on the right was the alternate today since we could only have a four-person team.
 

 

[Andries]

Congratulations Kyle!
Job well done, and congrats to your students too; part of a great, practical education.
Just second . . . . RETIRE? at your tender years?   :D :D

[caveman]

Andries, I'm seriously considering it.  Earlier in the week, I challenged a group of students to give me a reason not to retire.

[customsawyer]

Great job with the students. It has to be rewarding to look back on all of the kids lives that you have touched. Best of luck with your future choice.

[thecfarm]

Good job to all!!!!

[petefrom bearswamp]

Im thinking that your students are very privileged  to have such an engaged teacher.
Congrats to both your students and you.

[caveman]

Thank you, Pete.  I had to move the aspen leaves that you sent me that are pinned to my bulletin board to make room for their awards.  They are now beside the spruce samples.  I wish we were going to be able to go to nationals again next year, but Lafayette is deserving.  We may try to make a run at the nursery and landscape contest.

[Ron Scott]

Another Well Done!

[caveman]

The team that beat our team last December is heading to my place today.  I'm going to set up a practice for them and discuss with them about what to expect when they compete next month in Indiana.  Their FFA advisor is a young lady who is one of the best in the business.  

Our team will compete next month in the district contest.  If they can get by the other teams in the district, they will advance to the state contest, which will be held in November.  I'm not sure where the state contest will be held since the location in Perry was decimated by Idalia.

[Jeff]

So proud of your work and guidance my friend. 

[customsawyer]

I'm cheering y'all on from here. We all know that Danny is smiling down on you and your efforts.

[caveman]

Thanks, Buddy.  Danny was the master at this stuff.  
Some of the samples that Pete sent me were still good enough to use today.  Spruces give me fits, but when they are right in front of you, they are much easier.  The Aspens were also much appreciated. 

We spent about four hours today going over a team activity, chainsaws, disorders, and a few other things.  

I looked up and the female FFA advisor was sitting in my 74 Bronco.  I asked her if she knew how to drive a stick shift.  She did not and left before I got it fired up and out in the yard.  We had a good time and John and I even got a little saw job in later in the day.  This was the first comfortable day to be outside in months.

Two Florida Forestry Service foresters accompanied the team.  They are helping to train them.  It was good to see these fellows too.  They both spend part of their summers at Florida's FFA forestry camp.  

[slider]

Caveman we are all so proud of you mainly for your time and the guidance you pass on to these young folks. I still remember my FFA teacher from many years ago. He taught us so much and was like you a fine man.