Polk-San Jacinto SWCD Woodlands and Land Judging Contests

The Polk-San Jacinto Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) hosted its annual contest day at the Wayne Baker Ranch, April 2, 2008. Approximately 40 FFA and 4-H students from Polk and San Jacinto county schools and clubs competed in the Woodlands and Land Judging contests.

The contests are designed to create an awareness and understanding of the value of properly managed resources, while also promoting a greater appreciation for the renewable resources that exist.

The woodland contest offers challenges involving skills in tree volume determination, tree identification, selective thinning, and compass and pacing.

The land judging contest challenges the students’ ability in land classification, recommended land treatments, soil texture, and permeability.

Ronald Harris, district conservationist with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Livingston, coordinated the event with help from the Polk-San Jacinto SWCD and numerous other volunteers. This year’s volunteers included NRCS personnel from surrounding counties, Texas Forest Service, Southeast Texas RC&D, and the banks and businesses of Polk and San Jacinto counties. Lawrence Oliver, Big Sandy High School ag advisor from Big Sandy, led the task of cooking hamburgers for the group.

Students qualifying at the district level may advance to the area competition in Huntsville and may also compete in the State Woodlands Judging competition.
 

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A plaque was presented to Will Gresham who won high point individual and will represent the Livingston FFA at the area competition.	A plaque was presented to Shannon Price pictured with Adam Graham, Onalaska ag teacher, who won high point individual representing Onalaska FFA.	A plaque was presented to Brody Smith who won high point individual representing San Jacinto County 4-H.	First place winners representing San Jacinto County 4-H are Brodie Smith, Joe Stover, Brandon Cronin and Aubrey Wallace.
First place winners representing Onalaska FFA are Shannon Price, Shian Cantrell, Brianna Price and Chris Zoeller. Also pictured are Coleen Provasek, left, and Cynthia Sheffield, right, representing First National Bank, and Onalaska ag teacher, Adam Graham, back left, along with Ronald Harris, back middle, NRCS district conservationist for Polk and San Jacinto counties.	First place winners representing Livingston FFA: Charles Moore, Will Gresham, Ben Plunkett and Jacob Dominy. Also pictured, representing First National Bank are Coleen Provasek, left, and Cynthia Sheffield, right.	Goodrich FFA came in second place in the land judging. Team members are Alba Perez, Elizabeth Perez, Miriam Perez, and Rheanna Sebree. Also pictured, representing First National Bank, are Coleen Provasek, left, and Cynthia Sheffield, right.

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