4-H Forestry Judging Teams Do Well in Regional Competition

The Sevier County 4-H Forestry Judging Team Members recently brought home honors in the Eastern Regional 4-H Forestry Judging Team Competition held at Berean Christian School in Knoxville, Tenn. The Eastern Region 4-H Judging Events are sponsored by and held in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Fair each fall.

Sevier County was represented by two Junior High teams that placed third and seventh in the contest. The third place team included Alex Batey, Katelyn Hedrick and William Barbee, all from the Homeschool 4-H Club. The seventh place team included Jaiden Florkowski, Gracie Glynn and Colin Tilman from the Homeschool 4-H Club.

As individuals, Alex Batey placed fourth, and Katelyn Hedrick placed eighth high overall.

In the Senior High contest, Sevier County placed sixth as a team. Team members included Olivia Browning, Justin Conner, Holly Glynn and Nate Sams, all from the Homeschool 4-H Club.

Thanks to Mrs. Dixie Seaton, from the Sevier County Area Master Gardeners, for coaching the team. This is the first time Sevier County has fielded a Forestry Judging Team in over 20 years.

In forestry judging, 4-H members learn to identify trees, and identify insect and disease damage in trees. They learn to use a tree scale stick and measure standing timber in order to estimate the volume of forestry products that may be obtained from the trees. Along with developing compass and pacing skills used in Forestry Management. 4-H judging events give young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop decision making skills that are useful throughout life.

If you need more information about Sevier County 4-H, contact Glenn K Turner at 865-453-3695 or like us on Facebook at UT Extension Sevier County.

The University of Tennessee Extension offers educational opportunities like these to anyone in Sevier County regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Photo: 4-H Forestry Judging Team Members (front row/left to right) Holly Glynn, Colin Tilman, Jaiden Florkowski, Olivia Browning, Alex Batey, Katelyn Hedrick and Gracie Glynn.  (back row/left to right) William Barbee, Nate Sams and Justin Conner.