Chelan FFA Timberbeasts Compete in Forestry Event
The Chelan FFA Timberbeasts headed over out on the FFA Highway for their first Forestry Career Development Event of the spring season. Seven members traveled to Silverlake County Park near Maple Falls for Mt. Baker Forestry CDE.
Contestants from eight FFA Chapters were represented by nine teams. They competed in nine practicum areas. Tree Identification required contestants to identify native trees species from cones, bark, twigs or leaves. Tool Identification required members to identify 50 tools used in the forestry and silviculture industry. Chainsaw troubleshooting and identification required contestants to look at a saw that was not operating properly and determine the problem as well as identifying internal and external parts. Compass and pacing requires participants to shoot bearings and then pace and determine the distance in between an 8 station course. Map and legal description involves interpreting a map for features, elevation, distance between points, and legal description of parcels. Tree disorders involves the identification of tree diseases, insect damage, environmental damage, wildlife damage, and mechanical damage on samples. Members take a 50 question general forestry knowledge exam and complete a team practicum. The team practicum involves a variable plot cruise using a gem-gem or wedge prism to determine the number of trees in a 20th of acre plot. They have to then determine the trees per acre, average spacing, and predicted volume. They also have to determine the height, diameter at breast height, and volume of 5 marked trees.
The Chelan FFA was represented by Sean Hess who placed 11th, Jake Straub who was 15th, Javier Rivera, Zach Burchett, Ian Cowell, Michael LaHaye, and Ben Lorenz. They earned the fourth place banner in their first outing of the season. They will have one more tune up before state at the NCW Forestry CDE at Squilcuck State Park near Wenatchee, and then travel to Chewelah for the Washington State FFA Forestry CDE.
Photo Caption: Chelan FFA Forestry competitors (l to r) Zach Burchett, Javier Rivera, Ian Cowell, Jake Straub, Michael LaHaye, Ben Lorenz, and Sean Hess at the Mt. Baker Forestry CDE.