Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Students Attend Area FFA Contest

A total of 56 area high schools competed in the 1999 Southwest District Future Farmers of America (FFA) judging contest held recently at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia.

"The contest is growing every year," said Dr. Jim Tollett, chair of the Department of Agriculture at SAU. "We're seeing more and more young teachers who are getting the students involved."

Over 800 students competed in 11 different judging events and four leadership events. The agriculture events were livestock, forestry, farm business management, poultry, dairy foods, floriculture, dairy cattle, land, crops, meats and nursery/ landscaping. The leadership events were parliamentary procedure, prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking and creed speaking.

"This contest is great for the students," said Tollett. "It gives them a chance to meet with other FFA students from the area, and it teaches them how to compete."

Prescott, Nevada, Delight and Waldo High Schools were some of the area schools competing at the event.

Tollett stresses that FFA is a great activity for all students, not just those interested in agriculture.

"FFA is great for any student. It teaches them responsibility. The students know they have to prepare. And it teaches them skills in leadership and speaking."