Locals on West Virginia Team Compete at National 4-H Forestry Invitational
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 03, 2026
West Virginia was among 15 states that competed in the 45th National 4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday July 20 through Wednesday July 23. Teams from Tennessee, Georgia and Florida placed first, second, and third respectively. Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia also competed in this year’s Invitational.
The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia. The event is sponsored by Farm Credit, Green Diamond Resource Company, Virginia Cooperative Extension, West Virginia University Extension, and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.
While at the Invitational 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories. Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.
The West Virginia team members were Camille Deaton, Carver Deaton, Emmy Haddix, and Abram Jenkins. The team coach was Jennifer Friend.
Tennessee’s Aiden McKenzie had the highest overall individual score in the contest. The second-place individual was Lily Stobb from Georgia and the third-place high individual score was Carver Deaton from West Virginia.
The Joe Yeager “Spirit of the Invitational” award was presented to Forest DeRoy from Florida. This award recognizes an outstanding 4-H contestant at the Invitational. It is presented to the individual who takes initiative, is enthusiastic, and is eager to lead academic and social situations.
The Tommy and Susan Futral Inspiration of the Invitational Award was presented to Deborah Beisel from Pennsylvania. Deborah has been a 4-H volunteer leader and coach for many years. Coaching numerous 4-H forestry teams to the national forestry invitational as a 4-H volunteer.
4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state land grant universities. More than six million youth, 540,000 volunteers, and 3,500 professionals participate in 4-H nationwide, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.
The event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. Farm Credit has been fulfilling its mission of helping these areas grow and thrive for a century by providing farmers with the capital they need to make their businesses successful and by financing vital infrastructure and communication services. Because a steady flow of capital means more jobs and economic growth, Farm Credit is able to invest in the vibrancy of communities throughout rural America. For more information about Farm Credit please visit farmcredit.com.
Green Diamond Resource Company is a privately held forest products company with roots dating back to 1890. Today, the company owns working forest lands in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and California. A subsidiary, Green Diamond Management Company, provides forest management services in the U.S. South and West. All 2.2 million acres owned and/or managed by Green Diamond are independently audited and certified for sustainable forest management. More information about Green Diamond's environmental leadership may be found at www.greendiamond.com.
The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) is a professional society for natural resource Extension professionals. The mission of ANREP is to bring Extension professionals together to discuss mutual natural resource issues, needs, and opportunities and to advance natural resource Extension through continuing education.
Virginia Cooperative Extension was established in 1914 and is a partnership between Virginia’s two land grant universities: Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Today, Extension operates out of 107 offices, 11 Agricultural Research and Extension centers, and six 4-H centers across the commonwealth. Their agents, specialists, and volunteers work to assist farmers, empower youth, guide responsible resource management, and advance the wellbeing of all Virginians. To learn more about Virginia Cooperative Extension visit www.ext.vt.edu.
West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Service educators and volunteers build and sustain partnerships with people and organizations in West Virginia, to improve their lives and communities. WVU's programs and services strengthen individuals of all ages. We develop and teach best practices for sustainable agriculture, for responsible use of renewable resources, and stewardship of natural resources. We work to improve our state’s communities, workforce, and the economy. To find out more about WVU Extension Service visit www.extension.wvu.edu.
For more information on the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, go to: http://4hforestryinvitational.org/.
Contact: William C. Worrell, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Lebanon, VA 24266
(276) 889-8056. bworrell@vt.edu
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