FFA students compete at Harms Center
By Chabella Guzman, The Scottsbluff Star-Herald
More the 200 Future Farmers of America members held their district career development event Wednesday, at the Harms Center in Scottsbluff, attempting to qualify for state in four events.
"We've held the DCE event here now for four years," Bob Pedulla, FFA advisor and instructor at the Scottsbluff High School. "The building can hold all of our events and make it easier for the schools and students."
In the past schools would rotate hosting the event. The two more district events are scheduled before the students go on to state.
"We have students here from 13 different schools all over the Panhandle," Pedulla said. "There are 210 students participating and 25 adults, who have given their time to volunteer as judges and in other areas."
Students participated in four categories that included welding, ag sales, floriculture, and livestock management.
"Each category tests several different areas of the students' knowledge with written and identification contests," Pedulla said.
"Each category tests several different areas of the students' knowledge with written and identification contests," Pedulla said.
Even as many small farms continue to disappear in the Panhandle, ag is still a growing industry.
"Everything we do here is career-oriented and applies to career opportunities for the students," Pedulla said.
He agrees that there are not as many people needed in the production side of agriculture, but that in the business side opportunities are available and continue to grow.
He agrees that there are not as many people needed in the production side of agriculture, but that in the business side opportunities are available and continue to grow.
"The numbers of people needed in supplying, servicing and sales of agriculture is continuing to grow. It's not that we are losing any land for agriculture, but the careers are moving around," Pedulla said.
Technology is creating jobs in areas that were not available to students before.
"The electronics area is seeing big growth. Everything is going GPS (global positioning system), such as the tractors that are guided along the rows by GPS," he said.
One of the areas where several students worked with hands-on materials was in floriculture. Materials were available for the students to make corsages, and local florist Bob Goss judged their final product.
"They all had to take a written test and do plant identification, and now they are creating a corsage," said Shane Talkington, FFA advisor and instructor at the Scottsbluff High School.
Materials included mini carnations, button chrysanthemums, tree fern, lemon leaves, and caspia. The events were also timed giving the students 40 minutes to complete their corsages.
"It's a great event. The students want to be involved and look forward to participating every year," said Pedulla.
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