Kentucky Team Competes at National 4-H Forestry Invitational
Kentucky was one of eleven states that competed in the 42nd annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday July 24 through Wednesday July 27. Teams from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida placed first, second, and third, respectively. Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Utah 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, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., West Virginia University Extension Service, American Forest Foundation, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, 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 Kentucky team members were Devon Daugherty, Koltin Shelton, Jonathan Starrett, and Abagail Sumner. The team was coached by Tracie Goodman and Logan Creekmoore.
Mississippi’s Karolina Heathcock had the highest overall score in the contest. The second-place individual was Ashlyn Henderson from Mississippi and the third-place high individual was Caden Conley from Louisiania.
The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award was presented to Keller Stinson from Utah. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.
The Tommy and Susan Futral Inspiration of the Invitational Award was presented to the Oklahoma team consisting of McKayla Brents, Autumn Diggs, Samantha Scott, Stacey Scott, and coach Alicia Brents.
4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state land grant universities. More than six million youth, 540,000 volunteers, and 3,500 professionals participate in 4-H nationwide, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.
The event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
Farm Credit 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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information on the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, go to: http://4hforestryinvitational.org/.
Contact: William C. Worrell, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8056. bworrell@vt.edu
Photo submitted
Left to Right: Logan Creekmoore (coach), Devon Daugherty, Abagail Sumner, Koltin Shelton, Jonathan Starrett, Tracie Goodman (coach)
