FFA Forestry Champs Announced

Future Farmers of America members from local high and middle schools recently faced off during the Florida Forest Service’s Region 9 FFA Forestry Field Day competition.

While students came from all over Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas counties to compete, Hillsborough’s schools swept the overall competition.

A total of 78 groups competed in the event staged at the Withlacoochee Forestry Center Oct. 16. Competitors were tested on general knowledge of tree species, forest map interpretation, forestry tool identification and insect, disease and forest disorder identification, according to an email from the forest service.

The overall winners were:

High School Division

• Durant High School B Team, first place
• Plant City High School A Team, second place
• Durant High School A Team, third place

Middle School Division

• Tomlin A Team, first place
• Turkey Creek A Team, second place
• Tomlin B Team, third place

Photo courtesy of the Florida Forest Service