Budding foresters test their knowledge among the trees
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Forester Archie Gray, right, explains the basics of log scaling to Farmin Stidwell students from Laurie Tibbs’ fifth-grade class. Pictured from left, are Elise Renner, Jamie Langford, Grayson Bornhofft, Christian Troumbley (standing), Zach Leverich, Zoe Rasor, and Gray.
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Elton Turcotte, foreground, teaches students about the tools of the trade at the 34th annual Idaho State Forestry Contest. The contest, which was held at the Delay Tree Farm attracted students from throughout the state.
CAREYWOOD — Forestry, history, fresh air, students and a barbecue lunch came together on Thursday at the 34th annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at the Delay Tree Farm. Students traveled to Careywood from throughout the state to participate in the outdoor event organized by 185 volunteers from the forestry profession, state agencies, businesses and local residents.
Participants competed in 10 resource management and forestry categories at the event, including log scaling, timber cruising, tree and plant identification, tree health, silviculture, map reading, compass and pacing, tool identification, soils and water quality and noxious weeds.
Novices in first through sixth grades listened to experts at several stations to learn about forest management basics before taking their tests.
Rookies in grades five and six competed in four categories, applying their newly acquired skills to answering test questions. Juniors in seventh and eighth grades, and seniors in grades nine through 12 took on more difficult challenges.
Once students finished testing, they convened near the barns for lunch and a prize ceremony.
In the senior division, grades 7 through 12, Daniel Spencer and Joseph Spencer, both of the Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H team, won first and second places in the individual awards category. Tanner Short of Post Falls High School won third.
The Post Falls High School Team One took first place in the team category, with Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H Team One and Sandpoint High School Team One, composed of Jessica McMeek, Travis Davis, Bradley Russell and Jake Aquivye, capturing second and third, respectively.
In the junior division, which includes seventh- and eighth-graders, Erik Hicks of the Careywood Eager Beavers finished first in the individual category, Matilda Falconer, Careywood Eager Beavers, came in second and Ellie Kiebert of Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School took third place.
In the junior team lineup, Post Falls Middle School Team One came out on top, Genesee FFA Team One garnered second place and the Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School Team One, made up of Ellie Kiebert, Aliyah Campbell, Maddie Reuter and Duncan Hoffman, secured third.
In the rookie division, containing students sixth grade and younger, individual winners were Josh Hoskinds of the Carywood Eager Beavers 4-H team, first, Anthony Campbell of Forrest M. Bird Charter School Team Two, second, and Naomi Francis of Forrest Bird Charter School Team One, third.
In the rookie team division, Forrest M. Bird Team Two, composed of Elisa Balcaen, Savannah Smith, Alexie Garcia and Anthony Campbell took the first prize, Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H came in second and Forrest M. Bird Charter School Team One, including Joziah Eberhardt, Naomi Francis, Cali Iacolucci and James Marker took third.