Massachusetts is very well-known for the “Big E” regional show competition which also takes place in seven other states. The regional competition is for students and anyone who shows animals or presents and promotes agriculture. Those who attend can expect to see horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, and poultry at the expo.

On September 17, 2015, members of the NHHS Future Farmers of America  traveled 7 hours by bus for the opportunity to attend the Environment and Natural Resources Career Development Event for the Eastern States Exposition.

Some of North Harford had the chance to experience the once-in-a-lifetime trip. Senior Parker Vanik, junior Josee Cantin, sophomore Emily Miller, and sophomore Aubrey Williams were a few of the students who attended.

Some events that were there included farm business management, forestry, veterinary science, food science and technology, and environmental & natural resources competitions.

The team was up against schools all over the east coast in a competition for ENR (environment and natural resources).  “The competition was fun. But the bus ride was brutal,” said Miller.

The students were involved in group projects to analyze and test water quality, survey land, and take an animal ID test. The team came in sixth place out of 17 states, including Oregon, New York, and Pennsylvania.

“We got to meet a lot of people and saw a lot of great things. It was a great experience for us to be able to go,” said Cantin.

Vanik, who has been in the FFA now for 4 years at North Harford, said, “It was certainly a lot of fun. We left Thursday after school and and got back home Sunday morning at 3:00 am. It was cool to meet so many different chapter members from different states.”

Also be sure to congratulate the following students of the FFA Land Judging who competed against 60 kids in the state. Seven students of the Nest placed in the competition and four get to move on to the national contest held in Oklahoma!

Aubrey Williams placed 1st place, Josee Cantin 8th place, Emily Miller 11th place, and Hannah Rodgers 32nd place.

Rodgers said “We go in a pit and analyze soil profile first, then the texture of the soil. After that we look at the slope and get a card with specifications on land class that is numbered 1-8.”