Brantley County FFA Team Clinches National Forestry Title for Georgia for the Fifth Consecutive Year
The Brantley County High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) team recently achieved a remarkable feat by winning the 2026 National FFA Forestry Career Development Event (CDE). This victory is particularly significant as it marks the fifth consecutive year that a school from Georgia has brought home the national title, solidifying the state's reputation as a powerhouse in forestry education.
The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), which has been a crucial supporter of state competition winners, sponsored the team’s participation in the national contest. The recognition came during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis on October 22, where the Brantley County team competed against 40 other state champion teams, totaling 176 students.
It's important to note that this honor comes on the heels of a challenging year for the Brantley County community. The Highway 82 fire, which occurred earlier in April, left a devastating impact on local residents. In response, the Georgia Forestry Foundation collaborated with members of the forestry community to establish the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund, contributing $85,000 to assist families impacted by this disaster. The Foundation remains committed to providing support for long-term housing solutions for those who lost their homes in the wildfire.
Tim Lowrimore, president and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, praised the students for their dedication and the communal pride they’ve instilled through their accomplishment. "These students really gave their whole community something to celebrate," he stated. He further underscored Georgia’s prominent position as the leading forestry state in the U.S., emphasizing how the students' success reflects their preparedness to continue this legacy.
The Forestry CDE competition is designed to challenge students with real-world forestry skills, including tree identification, timber volume estimation, map reading, and problem-solving in forest management scenarios. According to Katrina Jones, Executive Director of the Georgia FFA Foundation, understanding the forestry industry is vital for the future economic landscape of Georgia. She notes that forestry-related jobs play a crucial role in the state's economy, making it essential for the youth to engage with this field effectively.
The Brantley County team's journey to nationals began with their victory at the Georgia FFA state Forestry CDE in April. FFA advisor Dr. Chad Crews expressed gratitude for the support from the Georgia Forestry Foundation, acknowledging the hard work and countless hours the students dedicated to learning and practicing. The team, consisting of Sierra Edwards, Kaleb Crawford, Camille Anderson, and Jonathan Crews, has set a high standard for future competitors, as they follow in the footsteps of previous champions like Banks County High School, which won in 2022 and 2023, and Mary Persons High School, which clinched the title in 2024 and 2025.
For the past five years, the GFF has generously invested $32,550 into the development of Georgia's young forestry professionals. Founded in 1990, the Georgia Forestry Foundation serves as the educational arm of the Georgia Forestry Association, dedicated to preserving the state's forests through funding, leadership development, policy research, and educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the multifaceted value of working forests for Georgia’s communities.
For further insights on the foundation’s activities and how they contribute to the forestry sector, visit their website at www.gfagrow.org. In summary, the achievement of the Brantley County FFA team reflects not only their exceptional training and commitment but also symbolizes hope and resilience for a community that is still recovering from hardship. Their triumph is a testament to the importance of forestry education and nurturing future generations in this vital industry.
The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), which has been a crucial supporter of state competition winners, sponsored the team’s participation in the national contest. The recognition came during the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis on October 22, where the Brantley County team competed against 40 other state champion teams, totaling 176 students.
It's important to note that this honor comes on the heels of a challenging year for the Brantley County community. The Highway 82 fire, which occurred earlier in April, left a devastating impact on local residents. In response, the Georgia Forestry Foundation collaborated with members of the forestry community to establish the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund, contributing $85,000 to assist families impacted by this disaster. The Foundation remains committed to providing support for long-term housing solutions for those who lost their homes in the wildfire.
Tim Lowrimore, president and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, praised the students for their dedication and the communal pride they’ve instilled through their accomplishment. "These students really gave their whole community something to celebrate," he stated. He further underscored Georgia’s prominent position as the leading forestry state in the U.S., emphasizing how the students' success reflects their preparedness to continue this legacy.
The Forestry CDE competition is designed to challenge students with real-world forestry skills, including tree identification, timber volume estimation, map reading, and problem-solving in forest management scenarios. According to Katrina Jones, Executive Director of the Georgia FFA Foundation, understanding the forestry industry is vital for the future economic landscape of Georgia. She notes that forestry-related jobs play a crucial role in the state's economy, making it essential for the youth to engage with this field effectively.
The Brantley County team's journey to nationals began with their victory at the Georgia FFA state Forestry CDE in April. FFA advisor Dr. Chad Crews expressed gratitude for the support from the Georgia Forestry Foundation, acknowledging the hard work and countless hours the students dedicated to learning and practicing. The team, consisting of Sierra Edwards, Kaleb Crawford, Camille Anderson, and Jonathan Crews, has set a high standard for future competitors, as they follow in the footsteps of previous champions like Banks County High School, which won in 2022 and 2023, and Mary Persons High School, which clinched the title in 2024 and 2025.
For the past five years, the GFF has generously invested $32,550 into the development of Georgia's young forestry professionals. Founded in 1990, the Georgia Forestry Foundation serves as the educational arm of the Georgia Forestry Association, dedicated to preserving the state's forests through funding, leadership development, policy research, and educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the multifaceted value of working forests for Georgia’s communities.
For further insights on the foundation’s activities and how they contribute to the forestry sector, visit their website at www.gfagrow.org. In summary, the achievement of the Brantley County FFA team reflects not only their exceptional training and commitment but also symbolizes hope and resilience for a community that is still recovering from hardship. Their triumph is a testament to the importance of forestry education and nurturing future generations in this vital industry.
Topics Other）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.