Flint Holbrook (left), State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers,
State Representative Jeff Duncan, Pat Black, Senator Danny Verdin and
Allen Williams.
SC FFA MEMBERS AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS
DONATE PLANTS TO LANDSCAPE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS
COLUMBIA, SC…In a very impressive ceremony at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, FFA members and Agricultural Educators contributed more than 300 flats of spring bedding plants to landscape the adjacent grounds, reports John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization and coordinator of the event.
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The plants were grown by students enrolled in Horticulture, Greenhouse Management or Landscape Technology courses offered by agricultural education departments in secondary schools and technology centers across the state.
The Presentation of Flowers is an annual project of the SC FFA Association (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) and the state agricultural educators organization.
State officials participating in the ceremony included State Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers; Senator Danny Verdin of Laurens, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; Representative Jeff Duncan also of Laurens, chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; Billy Keels, state director of Agricultural Education with Clemson University, Columbia; Flint Holbrook of Clover, president of the SC FFA Association; and Allen Williams of Wagener, president of the SC Association of Agricultural Educators. Pat Black, agricultural education instructor at Branchville High School, presided at the event.
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Pat Black, Branchville High School agricultural educator, presided at the event. |
In his remarks to the group assembled on the north side of the State Capitol, Mr. Williams said, “among the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of teaching Horticulture-related courses is observing students grow in scientific knowledge, self confidence and pride of accomplishment as they partner with nature to produce these beautiful flowers.”
State FFA President Flint Holbrook said, “FFA members enrolled in green industry courses know the satisfying experience of learning and community service as they produce plants that will be used to enhance the aesthetics of the State Capitol grounds.”
“The ceremony, highlighted by a large display of plants spread across the front steps of the State House, caught the attention of visitors and government officials alike as they stopped to listen and observe the beautiful flowers which so effectively demonstrated the scientific knowledge and skill of South Carolina’s agriculture education students,” Mr. Parris said.
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Dennis Haigler, Horticulturalist with the Division of General Services of the State Budget and Control Board, was high in his praises about the quality of the plants and arranged for them to be planted as soon as the weather permits.
“The true meaning of the FFA motto, ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve,’ is superbly demonstrated by this ceremony and the display of flowers, said Mr. Black who presided at the ceremony.
State FFA officers attending the event included Flint Holbrook of Clover; State Secretary Adam Gore of Loris; State Vice Presidents Caroline Sherard of Abbeville, Will Amick of Lexington, Krista McCuen of Gloverville and Matthew Adams of Hamer and Clemson University.
The event was reported by the Associated Press, three Columbia-area TV stations and radio networks throughout the state.
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Commissioner Hugh Weathers |
Senator Danny Verdin |
Representative Jeff Duncan |
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Billy Keels, State Director of Agricultural Education |
Allen Williams, President of the SC Association of Agricultural Educators. |
Dr. Laurie Lawson |
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SC FFA President Flint Holbrook |
Holbrook is interviewed by the local ABC Affiliate. |
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State winning Floriculture and Nursery/Landscape CDE teams from Lexington Technology Center. |
SC FFA Vice President, WIll Amick, chats with the local FOX News reporters. |
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