The Lumberton FFA Chapter’s senior and junior teams.
On Nov. 16, 2024, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke hosted the 70th Annual North Carolina FFA Association State Land Judging Career Development Event (CDE).
Each year, the Land Judging CDE rotates throughout the state of North Carolina. This year, Robeson County was selected in the coastal plains region. This event is sponsored by the Soil Science Society of North Carolina, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is the first college to host this state competition.
The Lumber River Federation led the opening ceremony and assisted with the CDE.
UNCP developed an agriscience program during the 2019-20 school year. The program was developed to prepare students to enter the agriculture industry. It aims to promote sustainable practices, inform students about various agriculture-focused careers and research opportunities, strengthen appreciation for local North Carolina farms and create new interests for students in different fields.
Some of the agriculture majors offered at UNCP include:
- Introduction to animal science
- Introduction to sustainable agriculture
- Soils and hydrology
- Plant cropping and weed management
- Pest management.
For more information on a future in agriculture at UNCP, click here.
The state Land Judging Event CDE encourages students to analyze land characteristics such as soil type, erosion and drainage to determine the best possible use. Students are able to comprehend why soils respond differently to management practices and how soil properties affect crop growth and urban uses.
North Carolina FFA State Advisor Joshua Bledsoe attends the Land Judging CDE.
“It was great for North Carolina FFA members to experience a university campus and the opportunities available to them after graduation,” says North Carolina FFA State Advisor Joshua Bledsoe. “We are grateful to UNCP for all they did to host and make our 70th annual North Carolina FFA Land Judging Event a tremendous success!”
The top three teams in the senior and junior divisions will be recognized during the North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh, N.C. on June 24-26, 2025. The top five teams in the senior division will advance to national Land Judging CDE competition in Oklahoma in spring 2025. These teams include Lumberton FFA, West Brunswick FFA, West Columbus FFA, North Iredell FFA and Polk County FFA.
This event is one of 43 CDEs offered to North Carolina FFA members at the state level.
