News

Digging In: FNGLA Supports Youth Development

January 10, 2019

 

FNGLA joined forces last month with the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators to bring hands-on learning to 50 teachers who installed a new landscape and irrigation to beautify the FFA Leadership Training Center.

The group, which included FNGLA President Will Womack, Past President Ed Bravo and Lake Region Chapter Rep. JR Reiner, designed and installed a Florida-Friendly landscape during the Ag Educators mid-winter conference in Haines City, Florida.

“This ‘learning by doing’ project is just one of the many ways FNGLA connects Florida’s nursery and landscape industry to the next generation – possibly lighting the way toward lucrative careers,” said Merry Mott, director of certifications & career development. “The intent of this service project was to deliver industry knowledge to teachers, so, in turn, they can take it to their students in the classroom.”

Owned by the Florida FFA Foundation, the Leadership Training Center serves the organization’s mission to facilitate educational activities in Florida for FFA members and chapters, according to the Center’s website.

The Leadership Training Center will host the FFA Career Development Event on Thursday, Feb. 21 where 350 Florida FFA horticulture students will compete in challenges including plant identification, plant propagation, fertilization and landscape equipment safety.

“FNGLA members and certified professionals are invited to come out and volunteer for the event and get to know the students,” Mott added. “It’s a fun opportunity to interact with this impressive group of students – and gives you hope for a bright future for employees in Florida’s nursery and landscape industry.”

Interested in volunteering at this event? Please contact Mott via email at: mmott@fngla.org, or by phone at 800-375-3642.  

 
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