Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter membership includes middle and high school students. These FFA members can participate in the Forestry Career Development Events (CDE) held throughout the state each fall. Students compete in a variety of forestry applications including map interpretation, dendrology, orienteering and timber measurement.
Winning teams from the 12 district contests then compete at the State Final to the Forestry CDE, held in Perry, Florida. The winning team from this contest then represents Florida in the Forestry competition at the National FFA Convention.
Forestry Training Camp for FFA Students
In July of each year, the Florida Forest Service delivers the Forestry Training Camp for FFA students. This three-day-long day camp is held at O'Leno State Park in High Springs, where students learn basic forestry skills. The camp runs for two consecutive weeks and involves both high school and middle school students. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn and improve their skills in forestry applications and for FFA teachers to learn more about teaching forestry.
This program predates the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Park Service, dating back to a time when both agencies were one under the Florida Board of Forests and Parks. The Forestry Training Camp originated in 1934 when it was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps, training young men to work in the forest industry. O’Leno State Park has 17 forest community types within walking distance and is a primary reason why the Florida Forest Service program is still delivered at a Florida State Park.
Introduction to Forestry in Florida
The
Introduction to Forestry in Florida
[
5 MB
]
is a booklet, developed by the Florida Forest Service, that provides basic instruction pertaining to forest types found in Florida, forest management and forest measurements. This booklet is used by the Future Farmers of America at its Forestry Career Development events and by the Florida Envirothon at its district- and state-level contests.
