Ag Center event sparks career interests of youth participants

Students in the Future Farmers of American (FFA) get instruction on evaluating dairy products at the Career Development Event sponosred by the Southern University Agriculture and Research Center.

Louisiana high school students convened at the Southern University Meat Technology Laboratory and Ag Center M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena for the Area IV Future Farmers of America (FFA) Career Development Event in March.

The FFA contest, conducted annually Southern since 1994, mirrors the educational and leadership experiences gained by students through high school agricultural programs. The event consists of written and practical competitions.

Participating students from Area IV high schools gathered as teams to participate in 10 different judging contests: horticulture and floriculture, general livestock, dairy cattle, poultry, dairy products, electricity, small engines, meats and welding. Top awards went to winners in each category.

This event helps develop students’ leadership skills; provides them with the opportunity to visit an 1890 Land Grant Institution and enlightens them on issues that impact agriculture in the state of Louisiana.

Willie J. Rawls, associate research director and William Augustine, research associate, coordinated this event bringing together 1,100 students from 51 high schools in 14 surrounding parishes.

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