McCreary County 4-H Senior Forestry Team Places 10th at National Competition

 

The team of Colby King and Shane Meadows from Strunk and Brandon Spradlin from Parkers Lake, and Austin Tucker from Whitley City took tenth place overall in the competition. The team coaches were Laurie Thomas UK Forestry Specialist and Greg Whitis from Whitley City.

In the Lumber Jack Competition the McCreary County 4-H’ers placed very well. Brandon Spradlin and Shane Meadows took first place in the Cross Cut Saw Jack and Jack Division, Colby King and a friend from Mississippi took second place in the Jack and Jack completion. Brandon Spradlin and the Camp Nurse took first place in the Jack and Jill Cross Cut Saw completion. Brandon Spradlin placed third in the Pulp Wood Toss.

Kentucky was one of 15 states that competed in the 38th annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday July 30 through Thursday August 3. Teams from Arkansas, Florida, and Louisiana placed first, second, and third respectively. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia also competed in this year’s Invitational.

The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia. The event is sponsored by Farm Credit System, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., USDA Forest Service State and Private Southern Region, West Virginia University Extension Service, American Forest Foundation, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, National Woodland Owners Association, and Black Diamond Resource Conservation and Development Council.

While at the Invitational 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.

The event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors;
Farm Credit System (FCS) supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. FCS has been helping areas grow and thrive for a century by providing farmers with capital and by financing infrastructure and communication services.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®), Inc. is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. The SFI® label is a sign you are buying wood and paper products from a certified source, backed by a rigorous, third-party certification audit.

USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, Southern Region programs bring forest management assistance and expertise to a diversity of landowners through cost-effective, non-regulatory partnerships. The staffs also play a key role in implementing the National Fire Plan.

West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Service educators and volunteers build and sustain partnerships with people and organizations in West Virginia, to improve their lives and communities. WVU’s programs and services strengthen individuals of all ages.

The American Forest Foundation® (AFF) works with families, educators, and elected officials to promote stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage. AFF works with its partners to provide hands-on support for America’s 10 million family forest owners.

Southern Region Extension Forestry serves as a liaison between the USDA Forest Service and the thirteen Extension Forest Resources units in the South. The position has evolved into a regional programming, representation, promotion, and communication role within the forestry and natural resource communities.

The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) is a professional society for natural resource Extension professionals. The mission of ANREP is to bring Extension professionals together to discuss mutual natural resource issues, needs, and opportunities and to advance natural resource Extension through continuing education.

The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) is a nationwide organization made up of non-industrial private woodland owners. Membership includes landowners in all 50 states and Canada. The mission of the NWOA is to use unbiased, research-based, objective and factual information to inform, educate and advocate ensuring a sustainable managed forest resource in the United States.