The Strom Thurmond Career Center FFA Floriculture team took first place honors in the State Floriculture Career Development Event (CDE) held at Spartanburg Community College on Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Team members Alana Thurmond, Karson Barrett, Tori Lazenby, Rachel Farmer, and Brittany Hutchins were coached by their FFA Advisors Jeremy Brooks and Darla Steele, Agricultural Education instructors at Strom Thurmond Career Center.  Karson Barrett was named the Top Individual of the entire contest and Tori Lazenby and Brittany Hutchins tied for 3^rd High Individual for the contest.

The contest consisted of a written test, problem solving team event, live sample floriculture plant identification, plant disease and insect identification and floral arrangement.  The South Carolina State Floriculture Career Development Event was planned and coordinated by the Horticulture Department faculty at Spartanburg Community College with assistance from Clemson University Agricultural Education administrative staff. The team will now prepare for the National Competition which will be held in Louisville, KY October 2013.

For more information regarding the agriculture program at the Strom Thurmond Career Center, contact Darla Steele or Jeremy Brooks at the career center, (803) 275-1767 or visit the agriculture program website at www.stromthurmondffa.com.