Two FFA teams set to compete at the National level – Record Delta
BUCKHANNON — The Buckhannon-Upshur High School (B-UHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) will be attending the nationwide forestry and marketing plan contests in Indianapolis, Indiana this October.
According to ffa.org, “FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields is an extracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of education. The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters FFA stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change.”
Remington Bonnett, Bryce Cogar, Corbin George and Samual Prigle make up the B-UHS Forestry team. The Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) requires students to demonstrate their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices. Participation in the event offers students experience relevant to a career choice in forestry and natural resources. The team portion of the event calls on students respond to a forest industry scenario with problem solving using forestry skills and tools.”
“This contest is more than knowing the right answer, we have to work together as a team to provide a solution to a current issue in the industry. I am excited to travel to Indianapolis and compete on the national level,” explained Sam Pringle.
Team members contribute individually by completing a general forestry knowledge exam, rounds of tree identification and measurement and individual practicums. Skills learned from this event range from forestry equipment identification to calculating a forest business management problem and prepare students for a variety of careers in forestry and natural resources.
“Mr. [Joe] Hymes has spent his time making sure we are prepared for the contest. While learning the material has been hard, Mr. Hymes knows how to make learning fun,” said Corbin George.
The forestry team will also be joined by the B-UHS Marketing team. On June 1, 2022, FFA members McKinley Bonnett, Kari Gay and Kaylin Walton competed in the W.Va. FFA Association’s Marketing Plan Contest. The students chose Casey Hall’s, Country Bloom located in Philippi, West Virginia, because Hall was a Buckhannon-Upshur graduate.
“We were excited to work with Ms. Hall’s business because she is a successful entrepreneur that was also a B-U FFA member and has been a supportive partner with our program,” remarked Kaylin Walton. The open-ended contest allowed students hands-on experience of researching and creating a marketing plan. Although fictitious, the data and marketing plan was accurate. During this plan, students helped Hall choose a new product and/or service for her business. They collaborated and chose a bloom box for her business’s new product.
“We developed an in-depth survey, created pricing, and advertised a project,” stated McKinley Bonnett. The projection was for one year, three years and five years, including business goals and marketing goals. The judges for the contest acted as a business and judged based on the marketing plan and industry standards.
“We were honored to earn first place team in the competition. We are now invited to participate in the National FFA Contest in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Big E Contest in Springfield, Massachusetts. We are raising money for travel and registration costs. The total cost of this trip is approximately $8,000,” explained Kari Gay. “We couldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for the support of our teachers; Joe Hymes, Allyson Lewis and Cole Payne,” said Kaylin Walton.
It is important for students to experience FFA and agriculture outside of our state. Approximately 60,000 members and guests are in attendance at the National FFA Convention. The students will explore career and education opportunities that will increase the value of the experience. “Providing students with the opportunity to travel and experience different restaurants, regional agribusinesses and regionally unique destinations are some of my favorite memories as an Agricultural Teacher,” shared Mrs. Allyson Lewis. Several members of the team have never traveled to New England or to Indiana and are excited to have the chance to explore the opportunities that exist in their futures.
B-UHS FFA is currently seeking sponsorship: Platinum sponsor for $1,000, gold sponsor for $500, silver sponsor for $300, bronze sponsor for $100, and family and friends for $50.
Platinum sponsors will be listed as a headline on publications, recognized on their social media banner, recognized at their annual awards banquet and listed in the banquet program. Gold sponsors will be listed on publications, recognized at the awards banquet and listed in the banquet program. Silver sponsors will be listed on publications, recognized at the annual awards banquet and listed on the banquet program. Bronze sponsors will be listed on publications as space is available and listed on the banquet program.
If interested in donating to the National Forestry or Marketing teams, please contact B-UHS Agriculture Teachers at (304) 472-3720 or mail a check payable to Upshur FFA Alumni to 270 BU Drive Buckhannon, W.Va., 26201.
Good luck to our local school’s students in the FFA Forestry and Marketing Plan Contest!