What the State FFA Forestry Field Day Is
Forestry Field Day is a Georgia FFA career development event built to spark student interest in forestry, promote forestry instruction in agricultural education, and recognize students who show forestry skills from their coursework. The state finals were held April 30, 2026 at the Emanuel County Recreation Center in Swainsboro. The Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authority is the state sponsor.
Divisions and How Teams Advance
| Division | How a team reaches state |
|---|---|
| Senior Forestry Field Day | Six Area Field Day events are held first. The top two teams from each area advance to the State Forestry Field Day. |
| Junior Forestry Field Day | The top two Junior teams from each area advance to the State Junior Forestry Field Day. |
Students who won a state CDE during the current school year may also compete in the State Forestry Field Day. Each division has its own guidelines and event guide, with the Junior and Senior guides last revised in 2024.
Who Can Compete and Rules
- Students must be in grades 6 through 12 and taking agricultural education courses.
- Each competitor must be a paid member of a chartered FFA chapter and must belong to the chapter that registers him or her.
- The student's name must be on the chapter's FFA roster at least 10 days before competition.
- Teams are limited to 11 participants.
- When several CDEs and LDEs fall on the same date, a student can take part in only one.
What Teams Are Tested On
Teams are assessed on diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory, and applying approved silviculture practices. Study materials published for the event include score sheets, past team activities, past exams and past tree disorders, plus online practice exams in Forestry Disease ID, Forestry Insects ID and Tree ID (Exams 1 through 8), a Tree ID video playlist and a points calculation spreadsheet for event scoring.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Area Field DaysSix area events run first. Top two teams per division from each area qualify.
- State Forestry Field Day, April 30, 2026Qualified teams compete in Swainsboro.
- State convention, April 22-25, 2026State winners were recognized at the 98th Georgia FFA State Convention at the Macon Centreplex.
The 2026 Results
| Place | Senior division | Junior division |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (state winner) | Echols County | Central Middle |
| 2nd | Banks County | Echols County |
| 3rd | Pierce County | Brantley County |
Where to Go
Emanuel County Recreation Center, Swainsboro, Georgia.
Questions
Can a middle school team compete?
Yes. Students in grades 6 through 12 can compete, and the Junior division is for the younger teams. A middle school team won the 2026 Junior division.
How many students can be on a team?
Up to 11 participants.
Do we need to qualify first?
Yes. The top two teams in each area advance, with an exception for students who won a state CDE during the current school year.
Where do we find practice materials?
On the Georgia FFA Forestry Field Day page, which links the event guides, past exams and online practice tests.
Official Links
- Georgia FFA Forestry Field Day: eligibility, divisions, event guides and practice exams
- 2026 Forestry Field Day winners: results and skills assessed
- State CDE and LDE schedule 2025-26: date and location
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Blue Ridge Cattle Classic
Two-day junior cattle show at the Union County Agricenter in Blairsville, part of the Georgia 4-H and FFA winter show circuit.
Blairsville, GA Official event details - Rockin The Ridge Market Hog Show
Market hog show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Fannin County Ag Facility in Blue Ridge, run by the county FFA Alumni.
- Syrup City Harvest Classic Cattle and Pig Show
Three-day cattle and pig show in Cairo, the Syrup City, scheduled for November 13-15, 2026. Held each year as part of the fall youth livestock circuit.
Cairo, GA Official event details - MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day junior cattle show held in the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis County, on the Georgia 4-H show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details - The MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day cattle show at the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, scheduled for November 14, 2026. Held each year on the fall youth show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.