Agriculture to host FFA Career Development Day on March 29

March 16, 2006 -- The 2006 northeast Arkansas district FFA Career Development Day will be held Wednesday, March 29, at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Career Development Day will kickoff at the Convocation Center with a morning “welcoming session” by ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt. Students will then participate in one or several of the 12 events taking place across the campus from the Convocation Center or the ASU Farm to the Pavilion or Agriculture Building.

The classes, or “career development events,” are: agricultural mechanization, agricultural electrification, agri-business, agronomy, dairy foods, floriculture, forestry, land judging, livestock judging, meats, nursery/landscaping, and poultry.

There are approximately 75 agriculture programs in the secondary schools of northeast Arkansas. This year, some 1,400 students from these schools are registered to attend the district Career Development Day on the ASU campus.

“Last year, some of the teacher comments were, ‘the overall event well very well,’ or ‘very well organized,’ ‘… ASU faculty and staff were friendly’,” said Dr. Kevin Humphrey, assistant professor of agricultural education.

“The students said such comments as ‘enjoyed visiting the campus,’ ‘faculty and staff were very friendly,’ and ‘great contests,’ Dr. Humphrey said.

Additional sponsors for FFA Career Development Day are: Craighead County Master Gardeners, Natural Resources and Conservation Services, Cooperative Extension Service, Forestry Service and Lowe’s.

In addition to the 12 career development events, representatives from ASU Career Services and Admissions will be available to provide assistance in their respective areas.

“This is a district competitive event designed to challenge the student’s knowledge and level of skill. Doing well in one of these events leads to the state competition and ultimately nationals,” said Dr. Humphrey.

For more details, contact Dr. Humphrey at (870) 972-2087 or via email at jhumphre@astate.edu.
                                                    

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