Pat Black, Branchville High School horticulture instructor; Spencer McLeod, S.C. FFA State President;
and Harry Dubose, S.C. Agricultural Educators Association present the plants to Commissioner Hugh Weathers.
SC FFA MEMBERS AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS CONTRIBUTE PLANTS TO LANDSCAPE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS
COLUMBIA, SC….FFA members and Agricultural Educators from throughout South Carolina contributed more than 400 flats of spring bedding plants to landscape the State House grounds at a recent ceremony held in Columbia, SC.
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Sixty-nine chapters presented over 400 flats of bedding plants valued at more than $5,000 to the State of South Carolina. |
The Presentation of Flowers is an annual project of the SC FFA Association and Agricultural Educators. The plants were grown by FFA members who are enrolled in Horticulture, Green House Management or Landscape Technology taught by Agricultural Education Instructors in secondary schools through South Carolina.
Pat Black, Horticulture Instructor at Branchville High School, presided at the ceremony where the plants were prominently displayed on a section of the steps of the State House. As part of his opening statement, Mr. Black said, “the goals of this event include making a contribution to beautify the grounds adjacent the State House while encouraging the general public to develop a greater appreciation for the FFA organization and its mission.” “We also want to build an ethic of civic responsibility in our students so they will be ready and prepared to serve when they assume leadership positions in their professional careers,” he added.
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State FFA President Spencer McLeod of McBee, S.C. |
In his remarks, State FFA President Spencer C. McLeod of McBee, SC, said “FFA members experience a satisfying sense of accomplishment as we care for the plants in our school greenhouses for we know some of them will be used to enhance the aesthetics of the State Capitol grounds.” “We are keenly aware that thousands who visit these historic grounds over the next few months will enjoy the beauty created by the plants we have grown,” he emphasized.
Harry DuBose, president of the South Carolina Agricultural Educators Association, said “among the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of teaching Horticulture is observing students grow in scientific knowledge, self confidence and pride of accomplishment as they partner with nature to produce beautiful plants in our greenhouses.” “The greenhouse is the most popular of all the laboratories used to provide hands-on-learning opportunities for students in many Agricultural Education departments,” he concluded.
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Manning Color Guard opened the ceremony with the Presentation of Colors. |
The Manning FFA Color Guard made up of Tyler Hale, Lane Ham, Thomas Matthews and De’Quan Williams presented the Colors to open the ceremony. Manning FFA member Leon Lee sang the National Anthem followed by the invocation which was offered by State FFA Vice President Desiree Kinneer of Indian Land, SC. State FFA Secretary Hunter Cooper introduced a number of dignitaries present but who were not scheduled to appear on the program and State FFA Vice President William Nelson recognized the 69 FFA chapters that had contributed plants for the ceremony.
Hugh Bland, Agricultural Education Instructor at the Strom Thurmond Technology Center, recognized Thurmond students Angel Henderson, Stevie Silas and Tracie Morgan who are members of the 2008 State Champion Nursery-Landscape Team. He announced that team member and high scorer in the competition, Parker Northrop, was on a trip to France and could not be present for the event.
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Thurmond FFA State Champion Nursery-Landscape Team members Tracy Morgan (left), Stephanie Silas and Angel Henderson with Hugh Bland. |
The plants, valued at more than $5000, were presented to State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers at the end of the ceremony. Dennis Haigler, Horticulturalist with the Division of General Services of the State Budget and Control Board, is responsible for determining when and where they will be planted.
The ceremony was planned and coordinated by John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization. He was assisted by Agricultural Education administrative staff with Clemson University.
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The plants were prominently displayed on a section of the steps of the State House. |
Pat Black, Horticulture Instructor at Branchville High School, presided at the ceremony. |
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Manning FFA member Leon Lee sang the National Anthem. |
Harry DuBose, president of the S.C. Agricultural Educators Association addressed the ceremony. |
Hugh Bland, Agricultural Education Instructor at the Strom Thurmond Technology Center, recognized Thurmond students who were the 2008 State Champion Nursery-Landscape team. |
William Nelson recognized the sixty-nine FFA chapters that had contributed plants for the ceremony. |
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State FFA Vice President Desiree Kinneer of Indian Land, SC gave the invocation. |
S.C. Commissioner of Agirculture Hugh Weathers accepted the plants on behalf of the State of S.C. |
Spencer McLeod welcomes Dr. Laurie Lawson, assistant to the Vice President of PSA for Clemson University. |
Mrs. Margaret Glenn, President of the Garden Club Council for Greater Columbia was welcomed by Spencer McLeod. |
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Pat Black (left) with Frida Edstrom from |
SC. State FFA Secretary Hunter Cooper introduced a number of dignitaries present but who were not scheduled to appear on the program. |
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