INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Award-winning master gardener and TV personality P. Allen Smith recently visited with 53,000 of America's best and brightest students at the National FFA Convention and Career show in Indianapolis. STIHL Inc., a sponsor of the FFA and its Nursery and Landscaping Career Development Event (NLCDE) event for the past six years, and official outdoor power equipment sponsor of P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Retreat, was pleased to bring the two together.
During the convention, Smith, famous for his shows P. Allen Smith's Garden Home and P. Allen Smith Gardens seen on PBS and in syndication, filmed a segment for an upcoming program focusing on the FFA NLCDE competition, featuring high school teams from around the country. The program will air in 2008.
"The NLCDE is fortunate to have the sponsorship support of STIHL Inc.,” said Dr. Alan McDaniel, coordinator of the NLCDE. "Much beyond the financial assistance, there is a valuable message that the students' efforts are important to the industry they hope to enter. Help in planning and conducting the CDE also enhances the education process on the local level. This CDE is very challenging, and each year the coaches gain new concepts, practices, and materials to include in their instruction.”
The two-day event was a combination of practical and theoretical skills. Students were tested on their knowledge in areas such as plant, disease, and equipment identification, as well as specific skills in plant propagation, landscape design, problem solving and verbal sales skills.
Taking top honors this year was a team from Perry, Ga. Team members Ashton Jones, Tyson Strickland, Tabitha Williford, and Jordan Wood , coached by Argene Claxton, placed first in competition against 40 other teams. The team from Washington, Kan. earned second place honors, and Graham, N.C. took third.
In addition to team honors, individual medals, and scholarships, the top three teams were invited to attend the PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days competition, courtesy of STIHL and co-sponsor Ariens Company. The PLANET event is a college-level competition and will be held at the North Metro Technical College in Atlanta, Ga. March 27-29, 2008. The PLANET event is considered a significant recruiting opportunity by the numerous green industry companies that attend the event each year.
"We want these young people to see that not only can they pursue their passion at the high school and college levels, but that there is a viable career path ahead of them,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc.
P. Allen Smith also had the opportunity to address 50 coaches of the NLCDE teams. The educators, representative of 12,000 FFA agricultural teachers were able to share with Allen their challenges and needs in providing lesson materials and direction to the approximately 495,000 students currently participating in the FFA. Smith, who has worked on student lesson materials in the past, stated that he saw this as an opportunity to share not only his expertise in the field, but also his passion.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL is the world’s largest selling brand of chain saws and cut-off machines and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast— not mass merchants.
For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at http://www.stihlusa.com/.
For information on job opportunities with STIHL Inc., please go to http://www.stihlcareers.com/. STIHL is an EEO and drug-free work environment.
About FFA
The agricultural science education program is built on the three core areas of classroom/laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities/opportunities. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. FFA represents the relevancy to the core areas offering students opportunities that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Founded in 1928, the FFA organization represents a large diversity of over 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. More than 7,000 FFA chapters are currently in existence.
