Use of Technology in WV Career Development Events

The use of all electronic devices; including but not limited to cell phones, BlackBerries, PDAs, MP3 players, programmable calculators; are prohibited during all West Virginia Career Development Events.  If an event requires the use of calculators, the event coordinator will provide exact specifications on the type(s) of devices (including functions) that will be permitted.

 Failure to comply with this regulation will result in the elimination of the entire team from competition.  A letter will be sent to the school principal and superintendent by the state staff detailing the reasons for the dismissal.

 Use of Reference Materials in WV Career Development Events

Students participating in West Virginia Career Development Events are prohibited from bringing reference materials, paper, and/or other aids into the contest area unless the materials/aids are specified by the event coordinators in the official rules and regulations.  The exception, all students are permitted to use a standard clipboard.  Cover sheets will be provided for all contestants in all contests.  Contestants participating in contests with oral reasons will be provided two sheets of unlined white paper to take notes. 

 Failure to comply with this regulation will result in the elimination of the entire team from competition.  A letter will be sent to the school principal and superintendent by the state staff detailing the reasons for the dismissal.

Teams of Less than Three Members

Students may compete in a Career Development Event even if their school does not have a full team (3 or 4 members).  If a school has less than 3 team members, the students are only eligible for individual awards. A school may enter only one team (maximum 4 students) per event. (Passed 11/6/2006)

Floriculture

Purpose of the Contest

            To stimulate the study of and interest in production and retailing of flowers, plants, foliage and vegetables through the agriculture education curriculum.

Objectives of the Contest

1. Identify floriculture, vegetables and bedding plant materials.

2.  Identify and treat unhealthy plants due to pest, nutritional, mechanical or chemical injury.

3.  Understand the biological and scientific principles and develop the skills underlying propagation, growth requirements, growing techniques, harvesting, marketing and maintenance of established floriculture and vegetable plants.

4. Understand principles and develop skills of floral design.

5. Identify and select appropriate supplies and equipment for flower shop and greenhouse.

6. Understand and demonstrate the use of safety procedures and practices in floriculture operations.

7. Operate and maintain appropriate equipment for floriculture operations.

8. Understand and demonstrate interpersonal skills prerequisite to successful employment in floriculture industry.

9. Understand and demonstrate proper sales and service skills.

10. Maintain records and proper reports that are accurate and legible.

 Contest Rules and Procedures

1. The contest will have four phases:  Identification of plant materials, general knowledge examination, problem-solving, and practicums.

2. Under no circumstances will any contestant be allowed to touch or handle plant material during the contest except during the practicums.

3. Observers will not be permitted in the contest area while that contest is in progress.

4. Any communications between contestants from the same team during the contest will be sufficient cause to eliminate the team from the contest.

5. To facilitate the holding of scantron score sheets during the contest, all contestants must also bring their own pencils and clipboard (a minimum of two No. 2 pencils).

 Phase 1 - IDENTIFICATION OF PLANT MATERIALS  (150 points)

             Fifty (50) specimens from the enclosed list will be displayed for contestants to identify by common names.  Specimens will be selected from the approved National FFA Career Development list which WVU will have on hand during the fall.  Some additional specimens from the old Horticulture contest will also be included (extremely common fruits, vegetables and nuts will not be included in  the contest).  Each specimen will be designated by a number.  Three (3) points will be awarded for each specimen that is correctly identified.  Each contestant will be allowed 60 seconds to identify each specimen.  Only whole plant, fruit or vegetables (no seeds, bulbs or cones) will be used.

 Phase 2 - GENERAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION  (150 points)

             Fifty (50) objective-type multiple choice questions will be written that cover the areas of the floriculture and vegetable industry reflected in the contest objectives.  This phase of the contest will test contestant's knowledge and understanding of basic biological and scientific principles of producing and marketing flowers, plants and foliage.  Each contestant will be allowed 40 minutes to complete this phase of the contest.  Each answer has a value of three (3) points.  The Introductory Horticulture, 5E  (Reiley and Shry, Delmar Publishers) will serve as the primary reference for the contest. 

Many of the test questions will be generated from the following sections:

• Careers in the Horticulture Industry

• IPM

• How Plants Grow

• Holiday and Floral Arrangements

• Plant Taxonomy

• Plant Propagation

• Greenhouse Crops

• Annual and Perennial Flowers

• Vegetable Gardens

• Small Fruits Gardens

Phase 3 - PROBLEM-SOLVING/DECISION-MAKING  (10 points)

            Each contestant will solve a problem or problems related to the various aspects of the floriculture industry identified in the contest objectives.  The exercise has a value of 10 points.  This will be a written exercise.  Each contestant will be allowed approximately 20 minutes to complete this phase of the contest.  A problem-solving activity is defined as:

"A mental or physical activity involving the gathering or searching of information and the use of a logical solution process using commonly accepted standards and available information to solve a problem specific to a particular area of floriculture production or retailing."

            Each problem will describe the situation associated with or creating the problem.  The contestant must decide on the BEST possible solution or solutions to the problem(s).  All materials and information necessary to solve the problem will be available to the contestant as he/she solves the problem.  An example problem is provided:

  Situation:

You are the owner of the "Flower City" florist shop.  You received an order for a floral arrangement to be delivered to one of your regular customers.  You give the order to one of your employees and ask that it be ready by delivery time.  When the employee brings the finished arrangement to you for packing and delivery, you notice a problem with the arrangement.  The arrangement setting before you is the arrangement made by the employee.  You realize that the problem must be corrected before the arrangement can be delivered.  What would you tell your employee to do to the arrangement to correct the problem?

 Possible Solutions:

1. Move smaller flowers to the top of the arrangement and larger flowers  to the bottom of the arrangement.

2. Add a focal point to the arrangement.

3. Use some different plant materials to add texture to the arrangement.

4. Change the color of the flowers to make the colors compatible with each other.

            Other situations may relate to flower quality; cost analysis, billing, shipping, handling and storage; flower and/or color combinations for arrangements for specific occasions and customer relations.

 Phase 4 - PRACTICUM  (150 points)

             Each contestant will participate in two practicums. Each practicum has a value of 75 points.  Review the National FFA Career Development manual for clarification of possible practicum areas.  National practicums can be found on page 165 of the 2006-2010 National FFA Career Development manual.  In future years we will select practicum activities from suggestions in the 2006-2010 National FFA Career Development manual.

  Click here for the FLORICULTURE PLANT IDENTIFICATION LIST.

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