Seth Stone of the Chandler FFA Chapter earned first-place honors in the 2020 Oklahoma FFA Agriscience Research – Plant Systems Proficiency Award area during the Oklahoma FFA Virtual Awards Ceremony on May 12.
Stone said he conducted research for Stone Creek Farms in their pecan orchard where his research ranged from evaluation of pecan trees to ways to help naturally increase the fertility of the orchard soil.
“Thinking on my feet is a very important skill that I have learned from participating in this agriscience proficiency,” Stone said. “I had to quickly digest a question, take a moment to collect my thoughts, and use what I knew to answer the question to the best of my ability.”
Stone said his first experiment examined if a Maramec pecan variety had become more susceptible to fungal pathogen pecan scab. This was important to Stone Creek farms, as 25% of the orchard is planted to the Maramec variety, he said.
Stone said all of the skills he has learned through his research have helped him in his classes, and it has prepared him for his future endeavors as an agricultural engineer.
The agriscience research–plant systems proficiency award recognizes students who are involved in a supervised agricultural experience and who research the study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions and practices. SAEs related to agriscience plant systems research include, but are not limited to, the study of crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs, and/or ornamental plants.
Stone is the son of Caleb and Amanda Stone. His agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser is Stuart Symes.
This award is sponsored on the state level by the Noble Research Institute.