On June 13, 2023, South O’Brien FFA members Bode Bailey, Eliot Boardman, and Bensen Rohwer competed in the Iowa FFA State Nursery/Landscape competition that was held at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.
This competition gives students the opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Nursery/Landscape. The event consisted of a general knowledge exam, a landscape estimation practicum, identification of nursery materials (plants, disorders, equipment, and supplies), equipment operations practicums, and a team skills challenge.
The team placed 17th and received a bronze rating at the state level.
This was the first nursery landscape team that South O’Brien has had in about fourteen years so each member and Mr. Kumm all learned a lot along the way. South O’Brien FFA Advisor commented, “There’s more than a few things that changed since we last had a team, but all of us now know what all of the components of the competition look like and what the judges are looking for. This will definitely help us to prepare for next year’s contest.”
Bailey said he likes this competition and will continue to compete in the year to come. Bailey said he learned he has to study more to be as good as the top teams but he loves to be able to have the opportunity to learn and grow, just like in all the aspects of FFA.