The Decatur County 4-H Forestry Judging Team recently participated in district and state competitions.

The Forestry Field Day Area contest was held Sept. 6, in Randolph County. The junior team members of Anders Austinson, Jacob Christie, Journey Austinson, Michael Hatcher, Sidney Hatcher, Joshua Enfinger, Seth Jenkins, Madison Stanley, Abigail Warren, John Paul Warren and Branch Austinson received first-place honors. Anders Austinson also received the Junior High Individual ranking and Jacob Christie received the second-place individual award.

Senior members for the area contest were Levi Adkins, Shelby Lane, Stennes Austinson, Joshua Lane and Josiah Austinson. The senior team also placed first among the other counties.

Additionally, Josiah Austinson received the first-place High Individual award, Levi Adkins received the second-place High Individual award and Stennes Austinson received the third-place High Individual award.

Forestry judging is a rigorous contest with components including: tree identification, insect/disease identification, saw timber estimation and compass/pacing estimation.
On Sept. 22, senior team members participated in the State Forestry Field Day contest, at Rock Eagle in Eatonton. The competition included the same components as the district contest, with the addition of a Forest Site Evaluation plan.

In this part of the contest, the students worked as a team to determine effective forestry management practices for a given area. Decatur County placed fourth in the state competition with Levi Adkins receiving the overall High Individual award and earning “Master 4-H” status in forestry judging.

For more information on Decatur County 4-H activities or events, contact ((229) 248-3033 or check the website at www.ugaextension.com/decatur.