USU Extension 4-H Team Competes at National Forestry Competition

By Shelby Ruud Jarman | August 25, 2022

 

4H Forestry

A Utah State University Extension 4-H team recently competed in the 42nd annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational in Weston, West Virginia.

The team consisted of 4-H youth Liesl Adams, Isaac Cabral, Gracie Johnson, Hannah Lesher, and Keller Stinson from Salem High School. Brad Shuler coached the team.  

The 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl, and a written forestry exam.

“This was an amazing experience for our team, and I was so proud of how they represented Utah,” Shuler said. “The competition was tough, but they gave their best effort and had lots of fun meeting youth from other states. The other teams cheered for our Utah team because they were always so friendly to everyone. It was quite an adventure that I am sure they will never forget. Thank you to USU and all those who helped make our trip to the National 4-H Forestry Invitational possible.” 

The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award was presented to team member Keller Stinson. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.

More than six million youth, 540,000 volunteers, and 3,500 professionals participate in the 4-H program nationwide, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.

The event was sponsored by Farm Credit, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., West Virginia University Extension Service, American Forest Foundation, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, and Black Diamond Resource Conservation and Development Council.

For more information on the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, visit http://4hforestryinvitational.org/