Chad Lyons
Contributor
Lafayette FFA middle and high school forestry teams earn State Champions
The 2024 Florida Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Finals Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) was held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Taylor County Extension Complex in Perry, Fla. The state finals were held a month later than previously scheduled due to the hurricanes that affected the state. The event included the 12 district winners from across Florida. Both the Lafayette Middle School and the Lafayette High School forestry teams earned state championship honors. The high school state forestry championship was the program's fourth in its history ('86, '88, '22 and '24). The middle school forestry championship was the program's fourth ('16, '21, '22 and '24). The purpose of the Forestry CDE is to stimulate interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction. The CDE consisted of individual practicums that included a general knowledge exam, tree identification (dendrology), equipment identification, forest disorders, timber cruising, and compass and pacing. The middle school team members were CDE high individual Easton Powers, CDE second high individual Kerri Ditter, CDE third high individual Kenly Melland and CDE fourth high individual Brayden Mortlock. Team totals were Lafayette Middle - 1,515; Buffalo Creed Middle - 1,367; Tomlin Middle - 1,149; Southwest Middle - 1,123; and Hill – Gustat Middle – 1,111. The high school team members were CDE high individual Fhelix Hernandez, CDE second high individual Caden Boatright, CDE fourth high individual Levi Smith and CDE fifth high individual Anna Walker. The top five placing high school teams were Lafayette - 1,712; Strawberry Crest - 1,615; Orlando Colonial - 1,576; Santa Fe - 1,576; and Marianna - 1,484. The chapter appreciates Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Perry, the Lafayette County Forestry Department, Betty Moses and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Roberts for providing their property for timber cruising practices. The team will officially be recognized on stage at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando, which will be held between Sunday, June 15 and Friday, June 20.
Lafayette FFA vegetable CDE finishes as the 2024 State Runner-Up team
The 2024 Florida FFA Vegetable Evaluation CDE State Finals took place Friday, Dec. 6, at the Embassy Suites in Orlando, Fla. The Lafayette FFA Vegetable Evaluation team finished as the State Runners-up. The Vegetable Evaluation CDE is designed to test the skills and knowledge of students in the area of vegetable production and management. The CDE included the following practicums: placing classes and identification of vegetable kinds and varieties, insects, diseases, weeds and seeds. The State Finals included the top 25 teams from the preliminary virtual written exam in November. The members were Fhelix Hernandez, Tucker Shaw, Madison King, Callie King and Wyatt Chandler. The chapter appreciates Zach Butler for coaching the team. The team will officially be recognized on stage at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando in June. The top five placings were Ocoee - 2,288; Lafayette - 2,248; Durant - 2,240; Fort White - 2,231; and Strawberry Crest - 2,214.
Lafayette FFA wins State Tool Identification CDE Championship
Twenty FFA teams competed in the 2024 Florida FFA State Tool Identification CDE State Finals at the Florida FFA Association State Office in Gainesville on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The 20 teams advanced from the Florida FFA State Tool Identification CDE Online Preliminary, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The preliminary included 88 teams. The Tool Identification Event is designed to develop the ability to correctly identify the names and uses of a variety of tools common to the Agricultural Education Curriculum. The event includes identifying and having knowledge of the use or categorization of 183 tools. In addition, this year, the state final included a team activity focused on PVC pipe. The Lafayette FFA team placed first in the event and marks the fifth State Tool Identification Championship in program history ('04, '13, '17, '21 and '24). Team members were CDE high individual Reece Hurst, CDE fourth high individual Malah Bass, CDE 10th high individual Miles Jackson and CDE 16th high individual Brock King. The team will officially be recognized on stage at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando in June. The top five teams were Lafayette - 895; Frostproof - 842; Hill Gustat - 836; Buffalo Creek - 830; and Chiefland – 825. The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.