NTCC AG Contest DeKalb Release

DeKalb FFA student Riley Hill placed second in the forage judging individual competition at the Area 6 FFA competitions at the Career Development Events in April at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) near Mt. Pleasant.

Coordinated through the office of NTCC Director of Agriculture Dr. Charlie Apter, the Area 6 forestry contest originally organized by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) predecessor Soil Conservation Service goes back to the 1950’s. Drawing teams from more than 30 schools, the area contest today includes forestry, land and forage judging.

“It’s another way for us to forge a strong connection to local agriculture,” said Dr. Apter, who worked with foresters, soil scientists and contest sponsors to set up the event.

AEP SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Jennifer Meyer was the first to bring to the table the company’s partnership in forestry management with the adjacent landowner where the forestry competition is held and to actively support the Area 6 FFA Career Development Events.

“The students are the winners,” she said. “These kids may not choose forestry as a career, but because of the work of teachers instilling awareness of proper stewardship these future landowners will understand the value of good land management.”

For NTCC the contest provided a venue for showcasing the school’s expanding agriculture department. To learn more about agricultural opportunities available through NTCC, please visit www.ntcc.edu/ag or contact Dr. Charlie Apter at 903-434-8267.

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Last updated : May 13, 2010 2:59 PM