Colorado FFA Range Judging and Plant Identification Events Announced for Fall of 2019
Ben Berlinger, Colorado Section of the Society for Range Management, Youth Activities Chair
FFA Range Judging is getting into full swing. Preparations are underway for the upcoming Colorado FFA Range Judging and Plant Identification Career Development Exercises (CDE’s). The FFA range judging events have been scheduled for this fall:
Northeast CO Regional at Prairie School on September 16; hosted by the New Raymer FFA Chapter; sponsored by the West Greeley Conservation District; registration at 7:45 AM contest begins at 8:30 AM.
Southeast CO Regional at Branson School on September 18; hosted by the Branson FFA Chapter; co-sponsored by the Branson-Trinchera and the Spanish Peaks Purgatoire River Conservation Districts; registration at 7:45 AM contest begins at 8:45 AM.
Eastern CO State at Seibert Community Center on October 2; co-hosted by the High Plains (Seibert), Stratton, Flagler, and Burlington FFA Chapters; co-sponsored by the Burlington and Flagler Conservation Districts; registration at 7:45 AM contest begins at 8:45 AM.
Colorado Section SRM members who will be assisting with these educational youth events. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Colorado State University Extension (CSU), and Agriculture Research Service (ARS) personnel provide local support for FFA range judging events. FFA range judging activities are strongly supported by several of our local Conservation Districts and the Colorado State Land Board (SLB). Their funding supports the purchasing of awards, ribbons, and plaques, and providing refreshments and lunch for the students and their agriculture teachers.
FFA range judging involves the students in judging the condition of two ecological sites. Several attributes are determined by the students including ecological site name, plant composition, range condition class, vegetation basal and litter cover, suggested stocking rate, apparent rangeland trend, and recommended best management practices.
The CSSRM presents plaques at each of the award ceremonies for these events. They recognize high scoring individuals for combined scores on site judging and plant identification, as well as the high individual score on the plant identification. The Colorado Section also presents the overall high scoring individual at the state contest with a check in the amount of $200. The SRM presence at these youth events is well recognized and appreciated by the students, FFA officers, and Ag teachers. Stay tuned for the results and how these FFA students performed at the various regional and state events!
Individuals wanting more information or desiring to assist with any of these exciting and education youth events may contact Ben Berlinger, CSSRM Youth Activities Chair, at 719-469-3895 or Ben.Berlinger@co.usda.gov.