The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) proudly hosted the Virginia State FFA Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) on April 23, 2025, at the college’s sawmill area. The event saw an impressive turnout of talented student teams from across Virginia, with high school, middle school, and 4-H teams participating in a variety of forestry challenges.
The day began with six high school FFA teams, winners from regional competitions, competing in events that tested their skills in areas such as wood and equipment identification, tree disorder identification, map interpretation, and a comprehensive written forestry knowledge exam. These students showcased their expertise in forestry and environmental sciences, preparing for future careers in the field.
In the afternoon, the competition expanded to include nine middle school FFA teams and four 4-H teams. The students engaged in hands-on field events, including estimating tree volume and value, tree identification, timber stand improvement, and land navigation using a compass.
These practical exercises gave participants a real-world glimpse into the forestry industry and enhanced their skills in natural resource management.
At the conclusion of the event, Broadway High School in Rockingham County emerged as the state champions, earning the opportunity to represent Virginia at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this October. Carroll County High School placed second and will represent the state at The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts, this September.
In the middle school category, Buckingham County took first place, while Broadway Middle School finished as a close second. The Louisa County Envirothon 4-H team was recognized as the top 4-H team and will represent Virginia at the national 4-H contest in West Virginia this July.
The event was made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of MGCC staff and volunteers. The Virginia FFA Association Director, Mr. Andy Seibel, and state FFA officers were in attendance to score the event and expressed their appreciation for the clear, well-organized event stations that made the competition run smoothly.
For a full list of results, please visit JudgingCard.com and search for “Virginia State Forestry April 23.”
For additional information on Mountain Gateway Community College’s forestry program, visit www.mgcc.edu or contact Richard Reigel, Forestry Program Head, at rreigel@mgcc.edu.
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