Idaho team competes at national forestry contest
—Courtesy photo Idaho team members to the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, held July 30-Aug. 4, pose for a group picture. Pictured, from left, are Lilly Falconer, Daniel Spencer, Nolon Largen, and Joseph Spencer.
Idaho was one of 17 state teams that competed in the 37th annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational from July 31-Aug. 4.
Idaho was represented by Lilly Falconer from Careywood, Nolan Largen, Daniel Spencer, and Joseph Spencer, all from Cocolalla. The team was coached by Tracy Stutler from Sagle.
Teams from Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida placed first, second, and third respectively. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin were also represented at this year’s Invitational.
The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, W.V. While at the Invitational 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.
Kyle Weiner from Tennessee received the high point individual award. Second place high individual award was given to Cade Wilkerson from Arkansas and third place high individual award was given to Henry Keating from Florida.
The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award was given to Holden Doane from Indiana. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.
4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state
land grant universities. More than six million youth, 540,000 volunteers, and 3,500 professionals participate in 4-H nationwide, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.
The event is sponsored by Farm Credit System, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., USDA Forest Service State and Private Southern Region, West Virginia University Extension Service, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest Foundation, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, and National Woodland Owners Association.
Information: 4hforestryinvitational.org