Georgia School Secures Fifth Straight National Forestry Title
News related to:Georgia Forestry Foundation · 2 min read
FORSYTH, Ga., Nov. 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Georgia Forestry Foundation celebrated a significant milestone as Brantley County High School FFA secured the 2026 National FFA Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) title, marking the fifth consecutive year that a Georgia school has claimed the top spot. This achievement extends Georgia's streak of national championships in forestry, a testament to the state's robust forestry education and industry.
The Brantley County team was recognized on October 22 at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. They competed against 40 state champion teams and 176 students, showcasing their expertise in forestry management and real-world skills. The victory comes on the heels of a challenging year for Brantley County, as the Highway 82 fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Georgia, impacted the community. In response, the Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) and the forestry community launched the Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund, providing Brantley County Family Connection with $85,000 to aid in the recovery efforts.
The team's preparation for the national competition was rigorous, with countless hours dedicated to learning about trees, estimating timber volume, reading maps, and solving forest management problems. Their hard work paid off, as they emerged victorious in the Georgia FFA state Forestry CDE in April, securing their place in the national event.
Brantley County joins a long line of Georgia schools that have excelled in forestry competitions. Banks County High School won the National Forestry CDE in 2022 and 2023, while Mary Persons High School had back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025. Over the past five years, GFF has sponsored these teams, contributing a total of $32,550 towards the strengthening of Georgia's future forestry workforce.
The Georgia Forestry Foundation, established in 1990, is a 501(c)(3) organization that acts as the educational arm of the Georgia Forestry Association. Its mission is to sustain Georgia's forests through funding and support of leadership development, policy studies, and education to enhance the economic, environmental, and community value of working forests for Georgia.