Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Every Summer, 4-H participants dive into intensive study sessions starting in July to prepare for the District Forestry Field Day competition. The contest is divided into Junior and Senior divisions, with younger students learning to identify 44 tree species, 17 timber pest insects, and 14 common diseases. They also develop skills like pacing to estimate distance and calculating sawtimber volume. Senior participants are challenged to identify and correctly spell the names of 70 trees, 30 insects, and 23 tree diseases, as well as mastering techniques in compassing.
This year, 15 Forsyth County 4-H’ers proudly represented their community at the District Forestry Judging Competition on September 2nd at Camp Westminster in Conyers, Georgia.
Competitors included: Tallulah Bates, Clara Cureton, Elise Cureton, Vander Gilbert, Harper Haines, Christine Harter, Inha Hwang, Brian Kidd, Katie Lowrey, Felicity Mahoney, Generosa Portelli, Joseph Portelli, Blake Turner, Elin Turner, and Toby Wilcox.
The Junior Team, made up of Elise Cureton, Brian Kidd, Inha Hwang, and Toby Wilcox, earned 2nd place overall. Kidd was also the 1st place individual in the Junior Division, with Inha Hwang and Vander Gilbert tying for 4th place.
In the Senior Division, Tallulah Bates, Clara Cureton, Elin Turner, and Generosa Portelli also placed 2nd.
The team’s success was guided by Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Shannon Henderson, with coaching support from Master Naturalist Extension Volunteers Winston Davis and Michele Murphy, and administrative guidance from 4-H Agent Heather Haines.