FFA’s Fall CDE’s are starting up! These teams include Natural Resources, Citrus Judging, and Cotton Judging. These contests are called Career Development Events and are designed to provide students with needed skills for future careers in these areas.
The natural resources team is coached by Heidi Mitchell and advised by teacher Richard Chapman. The natural resource competition consists of six parts these include, plant identification, animal identification, a knowledge test, a skills test, team mule packing, and a team oral presentation. This contest is designed to help students learn common Californian flora and fauna, gain the ability to explain the pros and cons of important natural resource issues, along with many other skills.
Past Natural Resources member and sophomore Hana Unruh said “My favorite thing I learned was animal identification, because I grew up around animals and learning about what they look like and their tracks was very interesting.” She went on to say, “I am definitely planning on being a member of this team this year.
Practices for Natural Resources started September 18, 2018 and will be every Tuesday after at 7:00 a.m.
The Citrus Judging team is coached by teacher Jessica Sweet. In this competition, students judge the quality of citrus, including oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Along with judging the quality students will also give oral reasons to a judge on their choices. They will also identify many different diseases and bugs that damage the fruit. This competition will give students the knowledge of what the citrus industry expects.
Past citrus member Dilan Basila, senior, said, “My favorite memory was getting to go to a packing plant. Our whole team was able to tour the packing plant and see exactly was happens to get the fruit off the tree and into the store. It’s such a cool multiple step process that not many people get to see.” She also went on to say, “Citrus judging is such an awesome contest because field days are never boring.” Between laughing and joking in the car rides to going on field trips, we can learn about such an important industry and have fun doing it. If you are even remotely interested in it I recommend you try it”. When asked if she plans on being on the team again. She said, “Of course. This will by my third year being on the team. Our first year we tied for first in the state contest and ended up second and since then we have been working hard to bring home that state bowl.”
The cotton Judging team is coached by teacher Keeley Hall. In this competition students will judge bolls, lint, and cotton seed. Along with this they will be asked to give oral reasons to a judge, as well as take a quiz.
Past cotton judging member Darrin Coleman, junior, said, “My favorite thing I learned from cotton would be how it is judged and how many factors affect cotton. Before I joined, I never knew that there was so much to learn about judging cotton quality”.
he cotton team will have their first contest on September 20, 2018.
Minarets has had many successes with these teams. We have won first high team at State Finals in Natural Resources in 2013-2014, fifth high team at State Finals in Cotton Judging in 2017-2018, and second high team in Citrus at State Finals in 2016-2017. This is a great opportunity to gain FFA points, learn new skills, and make new friends! If you wish to join one of these fall CDE teams contact an AG teacher today.
