Twenty High School FFA forestry teams from all across the state of Louisiana competed in a State FFA forestry career development event. In order to qualify a team had to place in the top five from each respected area contest previously held in all four corners of the state.
State representative Terry Brown was present at the opening ceremonies and gave a welcome, including some of the history of the area. Southland Timber owned by Kenny Goins and JKM logging owned by Kelley Martin sponsored the event. The National Forest Service had 10 employees supervising the different practicums.
FFA opening ceremonies were performed by state and area officers from the Louisiana Association of FFA including State Vice President from Area 1 Bryce Franklin, State Vice President from Area 2 Bayli Quick, Area 2 president Sam Tarpley, State Treasurer Ashlee Sebren, Area 1 treasurer Isabel Oakley, state sentinel Zac Little, Area 1 parliamentarian Emma White and State FFA executive secretary Kathy Conerly.
The contest includes practicums in tree identification, compass reading, map reading, timber cruising, timber stand improvement and machinery identification. Well over 100 students competed in the state FFA forestry contest at Stuart Lake in Grant Parish.
The fourth place team overall in the event was from Kinder High School. From left to right are Bryce Franklin, FFA advisor Sullivan Fontenot, John Wetherford, Kyle Knighton, Koby Fusilier, Austin Sonnier and Justin Reed.
Placing third was the team from Natchitoches Central High School taught by Vincent Bahm, Aaron Beaubeauf and Sarah Dyson. From left are Bryce Franklin, Bradley Scott, Dylan Daniels, Kirhawnte Dudley, Preston Tibbett and Justin Reed.
State runner up honors belonged to the team from Lakeview High School in Campti taught by Ryan Riley and Adam Thibadeaux. From left are Bryce Franklin, Tyler Sullivan, Cadie Coleman, James Drummer, Bayli Quick and Justin Reed.
The Louisiana FFA state champion team in forestry is from Calvin High School and was taught by Chad Camp. This team will represent Louisiana at the National FFA forestry contest next year in Indianapolis Indiana. From left to right are Bryce Franklin, Josie Camp, Treyton Trawick, Sean Ables, Anthony Adams, and Justin Reed.