Three-peat? Calhoun Co. 4-H forestry team heads to West Virginia seeking third national title for Arkansas
By Jessica Wesson
U of A System Division of Agriculture
July 13, 2018
Fast Facts
- Calhoun County 4-H Forestry team won state title
- The national contest will be in West Virginia on July 30-Aug. 1
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LITTLE ROCK – The 2018 Arkansas 4-H champion forestry team is not skimping on training time in their effort to bring home for the national title for the third time in a row.
This 4-H team is being led by Jaret Rushing, Calhoun County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. Rushing, who is leading a team to nationals for the second time in his career, said that his state-title-winning team members are dedicated and ambitious.
The national contest will be held in Weston, West Virginia, on July 30-Aug. 1. The forestry teams will have to compete in areas such as tree identification, volume determination, compass and pacing, map interpretation, forest pest ID, forest disease ID, Forestry Quiz Bowl, forest evaluation.
“I feel like my team won this year because of preparation time alone,” he said. “These kids set out a goal to win this contest this year and even turned down an opportunity to compete in the Regional Conservation District Contest in Farmerville, Louisiana, to prepare for the event.
“We put a lot of practice time in all areas of competition. I'd say collectively over the entire competition season, we've practiced, studied, worked about 100 hours,” Rushing said.
Team members Evan Beaver, Justin Lowery, Tyree Morgan, and Mark Strickland will compete at nationals later this summer. Alternate members are Tristan Braswell, Brady Duncan, Stevie King, Shelby Pedigo, and Kaitlyn Watson.
Rushing said that his team members are very talented, and, for a couple team members, this was their last chance at a state title.
“First and foremost, I couldn't be prouder of these kids. Lowery and Morgan have been on the team since they were 6th graders and this being their last shot at a state title was extremely meaningful,” he said. “Strickland and Beaver were definitely the backbone of the team this year with Evan leading the way at state being one of the youngest high point individuals I've personally ever coached.”
Mark Strickland, 17, said that forestry has been a passion of his for quite a while.
“When I was in fifth grade I went to a science camp, and I did really good with the tree portion. Coach asked me to join his team,” he said. “I love being outside, and it’s just something I love to do.”
Strickland mentioned the new opportunities that winning state opened up for his team.
“I was pretty excited, because I get to go to West Virginia,” he said. “That’s somewhere I have never been before. With all of the hard work that finally paid off, I felt good about myself and my team.”
Rushing’s outstanding efforts inspired the team to go above and beyond.
“He means a lot to the team. He puts in a lot of time, which he doesn’t have,” said Strickland. “He puts in a lot of extra effort. Anytime we want to practice, even on a non-practice day, he’ll never say no.”
Strickland is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the national contest for a few different reasons.
“I am looking forward to just having a good time and my team performing to the best of our abilities,” he said.
For more information about 4-H forestry teams in your area contact your local county extension 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.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu