Feb. 8 Hogskin Forestry Competition offers youth a chance to hone their skills

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Feb. 6, 2018

Fast Facts:

First outdoor skills competition of the year to test tree, equipment I.D. and other skills
$6 to attend, covers the cost of meal and test form

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CALHOUN COUNTY, Ark. – The year in skills-based competitions kicks off this week with the 2018 Hogskin Forestry Competition in Calhoun County.

The Feb. 8 competition, open to members of both Arkansas 4-H and Future Farmers of America, will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds near the city of Hampton. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Jaret Rushing, staff chair for the Calhoun County Cooperative Extension Service office, said participants will test their skills in tree identification, volume determination, equipment identification and more. Developing the skills are a key stepping stone to one of the largest job sectors in Arkansas, he said.

“The forestry field in Arkansas is huge, from a jobs standpoint,” Rushing said.” Once you receive a forestry degree, you’re classified as a natural resource professional, so any type of job that has natural resources as a potential degree requirement, you could apply for.

“Just being able to promote the field of forestry and outdoor education is my ultimate goal,” he said.”

Rushing said children as young as 9 years old are allowed to participate, although the vast majority of participants are attending grades 9-12.

Rushing said the competition, which he first held in 2010, will be divided into five test stations. He said about 140 children are currently signed up, representing about 18 schools. After the participants have rotated through all stations, they will be fed lunch while organizers grade the completed test forms.

Participation in the competition costs $6, which covers the cost of lunch and a Scantron test form.

Arkansas State Representative Jeff Wardlaw and State Senator Trent Garner, along with representatives of the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Forestry, will also visit the competition, Rushing said. Anyone interested in attending the competition should contact Rushing at 870-798-2231, or by email at jrushing@uada.edu.

To learn more about forestry in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu