Clay High School’s Environmental & Agricultural Technologies students earned SECOND PLACE TEAM in the District One FFA Nursery & Landscape Management Career Development Event held recently at Penta Career Center! Over 100 students from seven counties in northwest Ohio participated in this competition. 

These students were tested on their ability to identify trees and shrubs, perennials, turf grasses, ground covers, insects, plant diseases, and nursery equipment. They also were tested on interpreting a landscape design, taking measurements and determining material needs and costs for a specific plan. Finally they were given a written test on plant selection, plant care, disease control, and landscape principles. 

The Clay High School students on this team were: Maggie Mullen who was 6th PLACE individual, Clay Luce was 9th PLACE individual, and Mary Mominee was 10th PLACE individual. Also on the team were: Tyler Rich, Austin Cortez, Josh Clark, Stephanie Frederick, Cody Harsh, Brandon Nyers, Andrew Robinson, and Vincent Lewinski. 

Instructor, Mr. Charlie Schneider, teaches Landscaping as part of his Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program at Clay High School. Students used the knowledge they learned during class and after-school practices to prepare for the competition. 

These students will now advance to the state competition, which will be held at the Central Environmental Nursery Trades show in Columbus in January. This is the largest trade show of its kind in the eastern United States. It attracts industry professionals from all across North America, as well as worldwide vendors. 

This competition encourages interest and promotes excellence among students interested in careers related to Nursery Management, Plant Propagation, Turf Management, and other careers in landscaping and environmentally related industries. 

The Environmental & Agricultural Technologies Program is one of eleven Career Technology Programs at Clay High School. Career Technology students may chose from many career paths without leaving their school district. They are trained for skilled employment immediately out of high school, or immediate enrollment in post-secondary education, including apprenticeship and Associate through Bachelorette and Masters Degree. Over 55% of the students at Clay High School are served by Career Technology Programs, which are funded through local, state, and federal taxes, including federal Perkins funding.

Photo Caption:
Stephanie Frederick discusses the Landscape Design with other Environmental & Agricultural Technologies students at the FFA District One Landscape Competition.