Delaware FFA members from across the state brought home national awards from The Big E in Springfield, MA, last month.

The Big E is an annual event that begins on the second Friday after Labor Day and runs for 17 days. Eastern States Exposition is not owned by any specific individual or group and is organized as a not-for-profit, educational institution under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its governing body is a volunteer Board of Trustees consisting of distinguished civic, business and agricultural leaders from each of the six New England states.

During The Big E, Delaware FFA members competed in 16 Career and Leadership Development Events as well as the Agriscience Fair. The following Delaware FFA Chapters were in attendance:

• Appoquinimink FFA
• Delmar FFA
• Lake Forest FFA
• Middletown FFA
• Odessa FFA
• Redding Middle FFA
  Smyrna FFA
• Smyrna Middle FFA
• Sussex Central FFA
• William Penn FFA
• Woodbridge FFA

Multiple teams and individuals earned top five placings. To see a full list of the Delaware FFA results, click here: Delaware FFA Big E Results.

In addition to competing in Career and Leadership Development Events, three Delaware FFA members participated in the Regional Stars selection process.

Cole Murphy, Lake Forest FFA, was selected as the Eastern Regional Star Farmer.

Faith Hewes, Smyrna FFA, was selected as the Eastern Regional Star in Agriscience.

Roarie Glen-Russum, Smyrna FFA, was selected as a finalist for the Eastern Regional Star in Agricultural Placement.

Members who conducted Agriscience Fair projects were also recognized for their efforts. Sanaa McDonald, William Penn FFA was awarded the top prize. For the complete list of the Delaware FFA Results, click here: Delaware FFA Big E Results.

Delaware FFA is a leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and other related career fields. For more information, please visit the FFA web site at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.

Over 400 Delaware FFA members from across the state convened at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in July to participate in the Delaware State Fair. During the state fair, both high school and middle school members competed in career and leadership development events, exhibited livestock, assisted at various supporter food booths, in conjunction with the Delaware 4-H donated over 875 lbs. of produce to the Food Bank of Delaware, and were recognized for their efforts throughout the past year during the Annual Delaware FFA Fair Breakfast, sponsored by East Coast Seeds. High school members competed in 15 Career Development Events and middle school members competed in 12 Career Development events. See the top 10 individual results and top five team results.

Members and chapters were recognized for their great work on the construction of various types of displays: Ag Products Display, Landscape Display, Horticulture Display, and Educational Display. See a complete list of the display winners.

During the annual Delaware FFA Fair Breakfast on Friday, July 28, 2023, members were recognized for their accomplishments in their respective Career Development Events, the FFA Fair-tastic award was presented to the Milford FFA Chapter, and the prestigious Abbott Award was presented to Mason Foxwell from the Milford FFA Chapter. Senator Chris Coons was in attendance and provided special greetings. Following Senator Coons greetings, the Delaware FFA presented the coveted Honorary State Degree to Governor John Carney, Secretary of Education Dr. Mark Holodick, Indian River Custodial Staff member Mr. Chris Blackburn, and Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association’s Ms. Valann Budishack. The honorary state degree to presented to individuals who have continuously supported the Delaware FFA Association and its members. Coastal Equine and Livestock Supply was recognized with a State Appreciation Award for their continued support of the Delaware FFA Members.

A highlight of the annual fair breakfast is the recognition of the State Star Greenhand and the State Star Chapter recipients. This year’s recipient of the State Star Greenhand was Ava Gallo from the Lake Forest FFA Chapter. This year’s State Star Chapter was Taylor Wallace from the Smyrna FFA Chapter.

Members who conducted Agriscience Fair projects were also recognized for their efforts. The following Agriscience Fair projects have been selected as a National Finalist (top ten) and will represent Delaware FFA at the National FFA Convention and Expo:

For a complete list of Agriscience Fair participants, see the top 10 individuals and top five team results.

National Chapter Awards were also presented the following chapters were named Three Star chapters by National FFA:

Lake Forest FFA Smyrna FFA Milford FFA

Milford FFA was also selected as a Premier Chapter: Building Communities Finalist.

Delaware FFA is a leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and other related career fields. For more information, please visit the FFA Web site at www.ffa.org or contact Dr. Bart Gill, Delaware FFA state advisor, at bart.gill@doe.k12.de.us.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

DOVER, Del. (July 19, 2023) — Whether you are headed to the state fair from the city, suburbs, or our rural communities, the Delaware State Fair is a perfect opportunity to learn about agriculture, the state’s top industry.

“Since I was a child in 4-H, State Fair has been my favorite time of year. I love how one event, spanning ten days, can bring so many people together to celebrate agriculture and the hard work of Delaware’s producers to feed us all. It shows that agriculture doesn’t just impact rural communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “State Fair has a little of everything for everyone, but use this opportunity to ask questions. Learn about the history of Delaware Agriculture, where we are today, and where our young exhibitors, the next generation of agriculturalists, are looking to take the future of agriculture.”

More than ninety-six percent of Delaware’s 2,300 farms are family-owned. Delaware farmers produce a variety of agricultural products on more than 530,000 acres of farmland, including corn, soybeans, wheat, poultry, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and nursery stock. The state’s agricultural commodities can be experienced simply by visiting the barns and buildings along Holloway Street, from the front of the Fair by Quillen Arena to the 4-H/FFA Building (The Centre) and The Delmarva Building.

On the grounds, fairgoers can travel back in time and revisit the history of Delaware agriculture through the Antique Machinery Showcase held on July 22 in the Quillen Arena. This event features antiques dating back to the early 1900s and even some before. With antique tractors, broom makers, artisans, and more, there is something for all ages to experience.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the innovation and advancements of the meat chicken industry, which began in Ocean View, Delaware, all due to a mathematical error and the resourcefulness of Cecile Steele. Poultry will be one of the highlights in the air-conditioned Delaware Agricultural Education Center.

“Each year, we try to find new ways to engage fairgoers in learning about agriculture in the Delaware Agriculture Education Center. This year’s new building additions include a commercial poultry house exhibit, and the Delaware Grown kitchen has been upgraded to allow attendees to understand better how to prepare Delaware specialty crops.,” said Stacey Hofmann, spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Agriculture. “The Delmarva Chicken Association will also have a virtual reality 360-degree tour of a chicken farm.”

Educational food demonstrations will be held in the Delaware Grown Kitchen at 2 p.m. every day of the fair. Topics include:

• Thursday, July 20: Watermelon Salsa, Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and Watermelon Cake
• Friday, July 21: Uses of Culinary Lavender
• Saturday, July 22: The “Dish” on Delmarva Poultry
• Sunday, July 23: Chickens on Delmarva
• Monday, July 24: Zesty Corn and Spinach Sauté
• Tuesday, July 25: Watermelon Demo with the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen
• Wednesday, July 26: Quickie Veggie Fritters
• Thursday, July 27: Watermelon Demo with the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen
• Friday, July 28: Herbal Vinegars
• Saturday, July 29: In the Kitchen with Delaware Farm Bureau

Attendees can also get a glimpse of the equine industry throughout the Fair. Exhibitors will be participating in English and Western classes, showmanship, showing horses in hand, and driving. Harrington Raceway is one of three tracks in Delaware that offers horse racing. On Thursday, July 27, fairgoers are invited to attend harness racing in the M&T Bank Grandstand with a 7 p.m. post time. The race program will headline four $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final events for 3-year-olds and program staples like the Governor’s Cup, which features some of Delaware’s top horses, ages three years and older. Governor John Carney will be on hand to present the trophy to the winner.

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DOVER, Del. (June 28, 2023) – Odessa High School in Townsend placed first among six Delaware high school FFA chapters that squared off at Brecknock County Park in Camden last week, at the annual “Forestry Career Development Event (CDE),” a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry tools and knowledge, and math-related abilities. Each team consisted of four students who answered both individual and team-based questions. Led by their instructor Jeff Billings, Odessa also fielded the event’s individual overall winner, Natalie Holdren. The event was held in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service.

Schools represented this year were Odessa, Woodbridge, Smyrna, Christiana, Middletown and Sussex Central. Delaware Forest Service Trainer-Educator Ashley Melvin developed the curriculum and organized the event, which tested student knowledge in six separate skill areas: tree identification, equipment identification and troubleshooting, timber stand improvement, compass and pacing, board-foot volume estimation, and an individual written examination.

Odessa High School will now go on to represent the First State against teams from all over the U.S. as part of the four-day National FFA Convention scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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.”

There are 26 CDEs, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. Some events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams.

Here are photo highlights and captions from the individual schools that competed in the event.

Middletown FFA students working together to solve a forestry challenge.

Smyrna FFA students utilize forestry compasses as part of the Forestry CDE Challenge.

The writing portion of the Forestry CDE Challenge was moved indoors to our DDA office in Dover.

About Delaware Forest Service
The mission of the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service (DFS) is to conserve, protect, and enhance Delaware forests and their resources for the public through education, management, demonstration, promotion, and providing technical services in a timely and efficient manner. DFS provides a wide range of services to help Delawareans manage and improve their forest resources. These services are divided into three categories: conservation, protection, and education. For more information, visit the website de.gov/forestry and connect with DFS on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Forestry for the future – FFA teams compete at Brecknock Park on June 21

DOVER, Del. – Delaware’s first-place team will represent the First State in the national Career Development Event (CDE) against teams from all over the United States as part of the four-day National FFA Convention scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the 2022 Delaware Forestry CDE event, the Odessa FFA team went on to be recognized as a Bronze Emblem chapter at the national event. According to the National FFA website, Career Development Events (CDEs) help students “demonstrate their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices.”

There are 24 CDEs, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics. Some events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams. Last year’s national results: 2022 Forestry CDE Results

NOTE TO MEDIA: Reporters should RSVP to Sophia Curran (Sophia.Curran@delaware.gov) or Ashley Melvin (Ashley.Melvin@delaware.gov) for additional details and directions. 

WHAT:
FFA teams will square off against each other in the 2023 “Forestry Career Development Event (CDE),” a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry tools and knowledge, and math-related abilities. Each team consists of four students who must answer both individual and team-based questions. This is the event’s sixteenth consecutive year.

WHO:
Delaware school chapters of FFA and teachers Delaware Forest Service trainer-educator Ashley Melvin and forestry staff

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 21
10:00 a.m.
Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) is rain or shine.

WHERE:
Brecknock County Park
80 Old Camden Road
Camden, DE 19934
(just south of Rodney Village Shopping Center)