The National 4-H Forestry Invitational is the national championship of 4-H forestry. Each year, since 1980, teams of 4-H Foresters have come to Jackson's Mill State 4-H Conference Center at Weston, WV, to meet, compete, and have fun. Jackson's Mill is the boyhood home of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, hero of the Civil War, and a historic setting for the Invitational. Jackson's Mill State 4-H Conference Center is the first and oldest 4-H camp in the United States and is operated by West Virginia University.

The purpose of the Invitational is to develop appreciation for the importance of conserving forestland as a source of products, benefits, and services necessary for quality living. 4-H Foresters learn citizenship and leadership skills as well as practical forest management skills through participation in the 4-H Forestry Invitational. By learning these skills young people will be better prepared to own forestland or deal with environmental issues in the future.

4-H Foresters participate in forestry skills and knowledge events over 2 days of competition, including:

  • Tree Identification
  • Tree Measurement
  • Forest Evaluation
  • Compass Orienteering
  • Topographic Map Use
  • Forest Insect and Disease Identification
  • Forestry Bowl
  • Forestry Written Exam

Additional Invitational activities include local tours, campfires, and woodsmen skills fun competition.

The Invitational is now sponsored by the Farm Credit Systems through the Cooperative Extension Service. The event is organized and conducted by a management committee comprised of Cooperative Extension Service specialists and agents, and professional foresters from the U.S. Forest Service, the West Virginia Division of Forestry and forestry agencies from other state governments.

(Continued next page)

















STATES THAT HAVE
PARTICIPATED IN
THE INVITATIONAL































(Click Flag)