HOWARD — East Knox FFA had three members compete and place 15th out of a field of FFA teams from across Ohio in the State FFA Nature Interpretation Career Development Event on March 29 at Hocking College in Nelsonville.
The team consisted of senior Aiden Kapper and freshmen Madisyn Frost and Nealie Oliver. Individually, Frost finished 34th, Kapper placed 49th, and Oliver was 80th out of over 110 competitors.
In the event contestants had to identify mammals, nongame birds, non-woody plants, herptiles, and equipment.
They also had to complete three practicums and take a general information test on nature interpretation.
The practicums were Attracting Wildlife where contestants identified common wildlife wanted around the house and proper methods and means to attract that wildlife; Determining Water Quality where contestants determine the quality of water in a stream and interpret the results; and Controlling Problem Plants and Animals in which they had to identify plant and animal species, including invasive and non-native species, and select those practices to best control the species based on the scenario provided.
The purpose of the Nature Interpretation CDE is to promote instruction in the areas of interpretation of our natural resources, as well as to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies as a result of natural resources instruction.