FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown FFA recently sent 13 members to the Knox County Forestry Competition and came out in fourth place and participated in the District Invitational Practice Contest to prepare for the State competition.
First students must have had a general understanding of timber cruising and put that to use as long as identifying the trees that were present. Throughout this practicum you have to identify the tree, properly use the DBH tape to measure the width of the tree as well as finding out how many 16-foot logs are in the tree and use this information and charts to see how much that tree is worth in the end. As they will advance to the next level of competition not only will they be completing a timber cruise practicum but they will also be completing the other practicums for this year and test their knowledge in the areas of general forestry knowledge, wood products, complete a compass course, identification of 20-25 leaves and forestry equipment identification.
The Fredericktown FFA chapter also recently sent out 5 members to the Urban Soil judging competition.
Students participating in this Career Development Event must have a understanding of soils for urban purposes. The members measured the slope, and evaluated the depth to any restrictive features, any bedrock and depth to the seasonal high water table. The members must also be able to figure out what landform the pit is on and texture the topsoil, subsoil and substratum by feeling it and they must also figure out the soil structure of the subsoil. Participants must be familiar with the best management practices for sections such as Buildings with Basements, Sewage and Septic Treatment Systems, Driveways and Local Roads and Lawns, Gardens and Landscaping. By identifying all of these factors, the members will be able to figure out how the site can be best used for urban development and other urban uses.