Volunteers Sought for FFA Career Development Event

February 6, 2018

Can you volunteer?

FNGLA’s Director of Certifications Merry Mott is looking for volunteers to help assist at the Florida FFA’s upcoming Career Development Event February 22-23.

Volunteers will help in a variety of capacities including setting up the plant identification competition or guiding horticulture students through their nursery and landscape activities.

Volunteers can earn up to 12 CEUs over the course of the two-day event.

“It’s a terrific opportunity to interact with students, and get to know the future leaders of our industry,” Mott said. “It’s also a great, one-stop-shop to make a big dent in your CEU requirement for renewal.”

Long-time supporter Don Schoonover makes a point of volunteering every year.

“I became a part of the FNGLA back in 1991 when I was first certified FCHP, and that made a remarkable difference in my life -- and to those in the future I would teach and help in the area of agriculture," Schoonover said. "It made such an impression on me and it was something that I just knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life and share."

Schoonover added, "When I see these kids come for the FFA competition, these kids are focused. They are polite, they present themselves well, and they are focused on the future of the green industry in Florida and I think that’s a wonderful thing. I want to be able to give back to the community that is learning in the green industry.”

The Career Development Events take place at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research Center in Apopka. Volunteers can choose to take part in one or all of three shifts: Thursday afternoon set up, Friday morning floriculture or Friday afternoon nursery and landscape.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Mott by phone at 407-295-7994 or via email at: mmott@fngla.org.