COLUMBIA, SC….The Loris High School and
Aynor High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) Teams took top
honors in the State FFA Land Judging Finals at Playcard
Environmental Center near Loris, SC, November 6, 2004, according to
John W. Parris, State Director of Public Affairs with the SC FFA
Association. “The Loris team placed first and the Aynor team was
runner-up in the state competition. Both teams will compete in the
National Land and Range Competition in Oklahoma next May”, Parris
said. “The competition emphasizes soil science, plant science, land
management and conservation,” he added.
Loris FFA members Chad Hughes, Kellie
Long, Paiton Todd and Jason Gore along with their advisor Ben
Hardee, Agricultural Education Teacher at Loris, won expense-paid
trips to compete in the National Land and Range Judging Finals
next May. Kellie Long was the high individual scorer in the
competition and was also awarded an expense-paid trip to the 2005
National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY.
Aynor FFA members Justin Roberts, Chris
Johnson, Jordan Doyle and Blake Burris along with their advisor,
Stacey Bazen, also won expense paid trips to compete in the
National Finals. Justin Roberts was the second high individual
scorer and was awarded a silver watch from Montana Silversmiths.
Chris Johnson was the third high individual scorer in the state
finals and received an FFA Medallion.
McBee FFA team members Michelle
Margocee,
Kenneth Howle, Justin Hawksworth and Alana Young placed third in the
state finals. W. Pat Earle is their advisor.
FFA members qualify to participate in
the national event by placing as one of the two top teams in
the state. They must match their skills in judging the adaptability of
land for various purposes and uses such as farming and home site
development. The competition involves principles essential in careers
like environmental science, agricultural business, real estate
marketing, natural resource conservation and homebuilding.
South
Carolina’s FFA Land Judging Competition is coordinated by Clemson
University’s Agricultural Education Administrative staff and
co-sponsored by Progress Energy, Duke Energy, SCANA, SC Conservation
Districts Foundation and the Horry Conservation District. Technical
assistance is provided by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation
Service and the SC Department of Natural Resources.
