From left to right: 4-H Agent Terri Sumpter, Agriculture Agent Greg Harvey, Parents Maynard and Marie Dorr, 4-H Specialist Rick Willey. Standing front is Kristen Dorr, state junior winner.

DATE: 1/25/07

CONTACT: Rick Willey, (864) 656-3090; rwlly@clemson.edu

4-H FACE winners announced

CLEMSON –The 4-H FACE (Food and Cover Establishment) for Wildlife program is now in its 26 th year. The program has provided a unique learning experience for youths that is designed to teach the principles of wildlife management through the planting of wildlife food plots and observing conditions and events surrounding their project.

State and county awards were presented in age category 9-13 and 14-19. All youths in the 5-8 year age category received a certificate and ribbon. Quail Unlimited distributed a total of $250 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 9-13 year-old division were: first place, Kristen Dorr of Sumter County ; second place, Joshua Mason of Hampton County ; and tied for third place, Nathan Nix of Hampton County and Jacob Barnes of Colleton County . County winners included:

Lauren Nordin of Saluda County

Shaun Rhodes of Berkeley County

Luke White of Chesterfield County

Reghan Timmons of Florence County

Sarkis Zoubian of York County

Jacob Cook of Abbeville County

Jacob Barnes of Colleton County

In the 9 to 13 year old division the following participants won the Judges Award of Merit:

Curt Berry of Saluda County

Brittany McCrummen of Chesterfield County

Miles Nix of Hampton County

In the 14-19 age division, Christopher Sumter of Sumter County won county award.

The program is sponsored by Clemson Extension , S.C. 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 youth 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.”

The 4-H FACE program is open to all youths ages 5 to 19. For more information, contact Rick Willey, Clemson Extension 4-H specialist, at 864-656-3090 or rwlly@clemson.edu, SCDNR Small Game Project at 803-734-3609 or a local Clemson Extension office.

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