This year, more than 53,000 FFA students gathered in Indianapolis, Ind. to proudly represent their areas of the country in various competitions during the 82nd annual National FFA Convention. For the 7th year, STIHL was a proud sponsor of the Nursery and LandscapeCareerDevelopmentCenter.
Why would an outdoor power equipment company become a major sponsor for high school students at this level?
“When you attend one of these conventions, you are amazed by the level of knowledge these future young professionals retain in their specialty areas,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “Our sponsorship allows us to participate in developing future leaders in the areas of environmental stewardship and sustainability.”
“Thanks to the FFA, we are passing the torch of ’greenscaping‘ to a very worthy group of young people who will help carry the message forward as they take their place as tomorrow’s leaders,” added Phelps.
Will Fett, regional director of the National FFA Foundation said, “As a sponsor of the Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event, STIHL is helping FFA students practice and learn sustainability as it relates to careers in the green industry. The FFA and agriculture industry have been practicing sustainability for a long time, but it has taken on a new meaning when talking about sustaining the leadership and viability of the agriculture industry.”
The winners of the events are listed below.
The National FFA Organization
National Event Winners—Nursery and Landscape 2009
The team from Washington County High School FFA in Washington, Kan. placed first in the National FFA Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event at the 82nd National FFA Convention. The team members were Jesse Huber, Michael Welch, Brooke Stamm and Bonnie Bailey, coached by John Kern. The Kansas team placed first in competition against 40 other teams.
STIHL is sending the top two teams to compete at the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD), where more than 70 collegiate teams will compete in 51 different events and crown a university champion. The industry’s largest job fair will also be held at PLANET SCD for those aspiring to work in the industry where they can talk with some of the top companies in the plant and landscape network.
This year's other top performers were:
2nd Place
—Georgia, Thomas Burnham, Spencer Freeman, Morgan Strickland, and Nick Wood, all of Perry High School FFA
3rd Place
—Florida, Kole Peterson, Ashley Leonard, Ryan
Capps, and Lucas Worley, all of Lennard FFA
4th Place
—Minnesota, Justin Simpson, Doreen Lorentz, Jacob Demarais, and Jackson Houston, all of Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School FFA
5th Place
—Iowa, Kinsey Edmonds, Mitchell Longtin, Brenden McCleary, and Andrea Chatfield, all of Muscatine High School FFA
6th Place
—Missouri, Katlyn Britt-Rankin, Will Garrett, Brady Chasteen, and Russ Chambers, all of Columbia FFA
7th Place
—Delaware, Ashley Brizendine, Eric Reid, Heather Lefner, and Lindsey Scott, all of Kent Polytech High School FFA
8th Place
—Ohio, Justin Martin, Ashley Lewis, Casey Fuleky, and Andi Miteen, all of Sylvania Southview High School FFA
9th Place
—Idaho, Joslyn Waters, Traci Lundquist, Cherokee Carrillo, and Michelle Mortimer, all of Rigby High School FFA
10th Place
—North, Carolina Josh Martin, Ricki Miles, Lonnie Nicholson, and Matt Dale, all of Southern Alamance High School FFA
Top Placing Individuals
1st Place
—Jesse Huber of Washington County High School FFA, KS
2nd Place
—Michael Welch of Washington County High School FFA, KS
3rd Place
—Lucas Worley of Lennard FFA, FL
4th Place
—Justin Simpson of Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School FFA, MN
5th Place
—Kinsey Edmonds of Muscatine High School FFA, IA
6th Place
—Nick Wood of Perry High School FFA, GA
7th Place
—Thomas Burnham of Perry High School FFA, GA
8th Place
—Spencer Freeman of Perry High School FFA, GA
9th Place
—Mitchell Longtin of Muscatine High School FFA, IA
10th Place
—Bonnie Bailey of Washington County High School FFA, KS
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the U.S. only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com.
STIHL is pleased to also support the work of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to
www.stihlcareers.com
. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment
About the FFA
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Founded in 1928, the FFA organization represents a large diversity of over 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. More than 7,000 FFA chapters are currently in existence; their programs are managed on a local, state and national level.
For additional information, please visit
www.ffa.org
.
