Agricultural Technology students place in national landscape competition
2024 saw Virginia Tech’s National Collegiate Landscape Competition team return to beautiful Provo, Utah, and Brigham Young University for this year’s event. This annual competition is held at a different host school each March. The event is supported by the National Association of Landscape Professionals and would not be possible without tremendous industry support and participation. This year there were 30 competitive events related to landscaping; from Arboriculture Techniques to Woody Landscape Plant ID and everything you can think of in between. The event also includes incredible networking and learning opportunities with an expansive career fair and industry run workshops. The Virginia Tech team was excited to earn a 10th place finish out of 49 teams.
Four Agricultural Technology students joined 15 students from other VT programs, all of which did a terrific job representing VT. AT students Matthew Shackelford, Matthew Keyser, Forest Beegle, and Chase Anderson all were well prepared for their events, and had great results to show for it. Each of these events involves taking both a written test as well as completing a physical task and require extensive preparation. Matthew Shackelford held down the fort in the 3 irrigation events for the team; competing in design, installation, and troubleshooting which are all very challenging. Chase showed his diverse skills by competing well in 3 very different events; Arboriculture Techniques, Compact Track/Skid Steer Operation, and Small Engine Repair. Matthew Keyser performed well in Turf and Weed ID and Landscape Maintenance Operations, but most impressively earned a 3rd place finish in the Compact Excavator Operation event! Last but not least, Forest competed in Hardscape Installation, Mini Track Loader Operation, Truck and Trailer Operation, and also earned a 3rd place finish in the Tractor Loader Backhoe competition. Forest was the leading point earner for the Virginia Tech team, finishing 27th out of nearly 600 competitors!
“Each year it is a pleasure to watch the NCLC team come together as AT students work with students from diverse programs around the university,” said Senior Instructor and Agricultural Technology Assistant Director for LTM Option Tom Martin. “They network, make friends, have fun, learn from each other, help each other study, and always develop into a cohesive team. Here’s to looking forward to next year at Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado!”
