Pennsylvania Team Competes at National 4-H Forestry Invitational

Pennsylvania was one of 17 state teams that competed in the 37^th annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday, July 31, through Thursday, August 4. Teams from Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida placed first, second, and third respectively. Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin were also represented at this year’s Invitational.

The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia. The event is sponsored by Farm Credit System, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., USDA Forest Service State and Private Southern Region, West Virginia University Extension Service, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest Foundation, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, and National Woodland Owners Association.

While at the Invitational 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.

Pennsylvania was represented by Hilary Fernandes from Millerton, Ella Miller from Galeton, Eve Olofson from Galeton, and Riley Roslund from Butler. The team was coached by Deborah Beisel from Clymer.

Left to Right: Kathleen England, Stephanie Miller, Eve Olofson, Hilary Fernandes, Riley Roslund, Ella Miller, Deborah Beisel (Coach), and Kari Roslund

Kyle Weiner from Tennessee received the high point individual award. Second place high individual award was given to Cade Wilkerson from Arkansas and third place high individual award was given to Henry Keating from Florida.

The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award was given to Holden Doane from Indiana.  This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.

4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state

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