Growing Success: Area 31 Horticulture Compete at Purdue
On September 21st, the Area 31 Horticulture Science class took six students to compete in the State Horticulture Career Development Event. This event is a collaboration run by Purdue University, FFA, and 4-H. Students participated in plant identification and horticulture knowledge competitions. In this rigorous competition, students take a knowledge exam and then identify one hundred plants by common name. Plant categories include fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and flowers. Decatur Central junior Madeleine Colbert placed eighteenth with a score of 317.4, and Brownsburg senior Lydia Beiriger placed twenty-fifth with a score of 304.6. The Area 31 team of Madeleine, Lydia, and Eva Jones (Covenant Christian) placed thirteenth overall out of fifty-six teams. This was the first time Area 31 students have competed at this event. Students also received a tour of the Purdue University campus and their greenhouse facilities.