The Cass County’s Hope 4-H Team won first place at the 2013 Southern Regional Woodland Clinic - the Super Bowl of Woodland Clinics on Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Little River Conservation District Demonstration Project, Millwood Lake in Ashdown Arkansas. In this year’s regional competition, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana each sent their best FFA and 4-H teams to compete. The Cass County Hope 4-H Team was the top scoring team overall, beating all other 4-H and FFA Teams!!
At this years’ event, FFA and 4-H teams were tested in the areas of thinning, regeneration, timber wildlife forage, site management concerns, pine identification, site index, compass and pacing, rate of growth, wood identification, volume, wood products, hardwood identification and cull tree removal.
“It is our hope that this event, while competitive in nature, is remembered as a fun contest. Ag science teachers, FFA and 4H advisors and parents have worked hard all year long teaching their students the basic elements of forestry that are used for this competition,” said Brain Whatley, team advisor.
The East Texas Timberland Owners’ Association helped sponsor the Cass County’s Hope 4-H Team’s advance to the Southern Regional Woodland Clinic. The East Texas Timberland Owners’ Association serves the timber owners of Bowie, Cass, Marion and Red River Counties and welcome new members. We are a non-profit organization whose objectives include educating landowners about good forest management and harvesting practices, and keeping landowners up to date on matters affecting timberland operations, taxes, and legislative actions.
For additional information, contact Fred Winters, Public Relations Officer at 903-639-1267 or Russell Lykins, Linden District Forester at 903-756-5571/5572 or John Hawkins, New Boston District Forester at 903-628-2711.