Four members of the East Knox FFA recently competed in the state finals of the FFA Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event on April 7 at Delaware Area Career Center in Delaware.
The team consisting of junior Dustin Springer and freshmen Dylan Springer, Hayden Baker, and Braylon Evans finished third in the state event after the day of hands-on competition. In the event, competitors had to complete a surveying exercise, calculate a landscape installation estimate, assemble and position plants in a layout practicum, operate skid-steer loaders through a course, complete a paver installation exercise, and do a grading and drainage practicum. Individually, Dylan Springer finished fourth, Dustin Springer placed sixth, Baker was seventh, and Evans finished 23rd out of 241 competitors. The first- and second-place students in each of the hands-on event finals were also recognized, with East Knox contestants Dylan Springer and Braylon Evans placing first in plant layout with a perfect score of 200 and Dustin Springer and Hayden Baker finishing second in paver installation.
To qualify for the finals, the team completed an online phase of the competition on Feb. 8, where they took a written test, identified specimens and completed practicums.
Participants had to identify 80 specimens of deciduous trees and shrubs, needled evergreens, broad-leaved evergreens, annuals, perennials and groundcovers with both common and scientific names. They also had to identify 40 specimens of weeds, insects and diseases, equipment and supplies, and turf found in the nursery and landscape business. In addition, contestants complete a landscape drawing practicum, interpret a grass seed label, and complete an irrigation equipment practicum. From this part of the competition, the top 10 teams advanced to the finals.
The nursery/landscape event is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students to perform hands-on skills and to identify various horticultural plants, weeds, insects and diseases that affect the nursery and landscape business. The team will receive a banner for placing third in the state at the Ohio FFA Convention on May 5-6 at the Ohio Expo Center. The top 10 individuals also receive a plaque for their efforts. The contest awards are sponsored by the Ohio Nursery/Landscape Association. This is the 22nd year that an East Knox FFA Nursery/Landscape CDE Team has placed in the top 10 in the state. They have won the event the past four years in a row.
Picture (L to R) – The East Knox FFA State third place Nursery/Landscape team members Dylan Springer, Dustin Springer, Hayden Baker, and Braylon Evans at Delaware Area Career Center.
