Middletown FFA wins forestry career development event

Middletown’s FFA Chapter won the 2016 Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) – a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry knowledge, and math abilities – held this week at Brecknock Park in Camden. Middletown will represent Delaware in the forestry event at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo from Oct. 19 to 22, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN. The Milford FFA Chapter placed second and will compete at the Eastern States Exposition or “The Big E!,”  scheduled to take place in Springfield, MA on September 17. Other teams competing were from Newark Charter and Smyrna.

The annual forestry CDE took place under the direction of Delaware Forest Service education specialist Ashley Peebles. This year’s challenge was designed to measure a diverse range of student skills, which included the ability to identify tree species, tree pests and disorders, and forestry equipment.  Students also demonstrated knowledge in reading topographic maps, timber stand improvement, compass and pacing, board-foot volume estimation, and an individual written examination.

 

The winning Middletown FFA Chapter forestry team: (from left) junior Noah Ancillai, junior Jade Nigro, sophomore Jessica Price, and junior Cade Bosco, along with Jeffrey Billings, FFA Advisor. Middletown will compete at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo from Oct. 19 to 22, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN.
The winning Middletown FFA Chapter forestry team: (from left) junior Noah Ancillai, junior Jade Nigro, sophomore Jessica Price, and junior Cade Bosco, along with Jeffrey Billings, FFA Advisor. Middletown will compete at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo from Oct. 19 to 22, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN.

 

Milford’s team is: (from left) senior Jared Maule, senior Nick Wright, sophomore Cameron Maule, and Jaineil Johnson, and FFA advisor Scott Haldeman.
Milford’s team, which placed second in the FFA forestry event, is: (from left) senior Jared Maule, senior Nick Wright, sophomore Cameron Maule, sophomore Jaineil Johnson, and FFA advisor Scott Haldeman. Milford will compete in the Eastern States Competition or “Big E!” in Springfield, MA on September 17.

According to the FFA, Career Development Events help students “develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive job market.” Twenty-four CDEs and one activity cover job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. Some events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams.

Milford's Cameron Maule reads a topographic map as part of the forestry challenge
Milford’s Cameron Maule reads a topographic map as part of the FFA forestry event held at Brecknock Park in Camden.

Established in 1928 as the Future Farmers of America, FFA is now officially known as the “National FFA Organization,” and describes itself as an intercurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership that forms one of three components of agricultural education. FFA is also one of the largest youth groups in the United States: it is comprised of 629,327 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As such, FFA is also the largest of the career and technical student organizations in U.S. schools.

Middletown FFA student Jessica Price completes the tree pest and disorder section of the annual forestry challenge at Brecknock Park in Camden. Middletown placed first among four teams and will go the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in the fall.
Middletown FFA student Jessica Price completes the tree pest and disorder section of the annual forestry challenge at Brecknock Park in Camden. Middletown placed first among four teams and will compete at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis in the fall.