DATE: December 17, 2007
CONTACT:
Rick Willey, (864) 656-3090
rwlly@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu
Clemson Extension Service announces 4-H FACE winners
CLEMSON – The winners of this year's 4-H FACE (Food and Cover Establishment) for wildlife program have been announced.
The program, now in its 27th year, has provided a unique learning experience for young people that is designed to teach them the principles of wildlife management through the planting of food plots and observing conditions and events surrounding their project.
The program is sponsored by Clemson Extension Service, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Quail Unlimited.
“The program requires dedication from the participants, especially considering that the majority of the program takes place when the contestants are on summer break from school,” said Jay Butfiloski, biologist with SCDNR.
Each participant is provided with instructions, a sample record book and a five-pound bag of seed. They are responsible for preparing and planting their wildlife food plots and are required to keep a record of their plot’s growth and wildlife visitation. The plots and records books are then judged at the end of the growing season by state wildlife biologists and technicians.
“While there are always many good plots entered into the contest, the winners are always determined by the quality of the record books and the commitment of the participant throughout the entire contest,” said Rick Willey, Clemson extension 4-H natural resources specialist. “The amount of hard work and dedication shown by the record books this year was exceptional. Clemson extension agents and 4-H volunteers deserve a great deal of credit for recruiting youth for this program and providing instruction on record book preparation.”
State and county awards were presented in categories for ages 9 to 13 and 14 to 19. All of those in the 5- to 8-year category received a certificate and ribbon for their completion of the 4-H FACE project.
Quail Unlimited distributed a total of $350 in cash awards and trophies to state winners and subscriptions to Quail Unlimited magazine for county winners in the upper age category. South Carolina Wildlife magazine subscriptions were awarded to county winners in the lower age groups. All contestants completing the program received a certificate of participation.
The winners in the state 9- to 13-year-old division were: first place, Caroline Durham of Abbeville County; second place, Joshua Mason of Hampton County; and third place, Kristen Dorr of Sumter County. County winners include:
- Spencer Clark of Jasper County
- Trent Miller of Edgefield County
- Rebecca Watson of Chesterfield County
- Jacob Boyd of Aiken County
- Lauren Nordin of Saluda County
- Clyde Zoubian of York County
- Victoria Roof of Chester County
- Kala McClinton of Laurens County
- Jacob Barnes of Colleton County
These participants won the Judges' Award of Merit:
- Riley Nordin of Saluda County
- Sarkis Zoubian of York County
- Thomas McClinton of Laurens County
In the 14- to 19-year-old division, Julia Miller of Edgefield County won first place, Rhett Maybank of Charleston County won second place and George Barron of York County won third place. As first-place senior winner, Julia Miller was awarded a $500 college scholarship from the State 4-H office.
The 4-H FACE program is open to all young people between the ages of 5 and 19. For more information, contact Rick Willey, Clemson extension 4-H specialist; the SCDNR Small Game Project at (803) 734-3609; or a local Clemson extension office.
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