Students in the Buckingham County Middle School (BCMS) National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization chapter were very excited to attend the State Fair of Virginia. There were 60 students from the school who attended.

The Educational Exposition at the fair is designed to educate youth about all the Commonwealth has to offer in a setting unlike any other. “Virginia’s Largest Outdoor Classroom,” provides students an opportunity to experience agriculture, history, technology and natural resources first-hand. In addition to all the exhibits at the fair, students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes also had the chance to showcase what they have learned by competing with other schools through the SkillsUSA program.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Seven BCMS students were a part of the competition at the recent State Fair. These agriculture students competed in Forestry Field Day.

The team events included two-man crosscut saw, water accuracy, pulpwood log toss, logrolling and cutting a log with a bow saw. The team placed sixth overall.

Team members included Holden Tyson, Eli Bryant, Desmond Vaughn, J’Miyah Holman, Jordan Dorrier, Camden Allen, Nathan Shippee and Andrew Dragovich.

BCMS also participated in the Junior Foresters event held at the fair. The Junior Foresters team included members Eliza Ragland, Jordan Dorrier, Emma Staton, Camden Allen, Daniel Farrish, Gwyneth Mitchell, Holden Tyson, Haylie Hucks and Nathan Shippee. The event, run by the Virginia Department of Forestry, tests students’ knowledge and skills in a variety of activities. Tanner Wise also participated in the Agricultural Demonstration competition on the junior level.

A free estate-planning seminar will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Curdsville Community Center, located at 122 School Road in Dillwyn, hosted by David Wise Insurance. From this simple, comprehensive presentation, learn how to retain control of your assets; avoid probate and minimize taxes in wealth and business transfer; make provisions for your surviving spouse; keep your affairs private and out of court; protect your estate from creditors, predators and disgruntled family members; conserve your assets from catastrophic illness and understand wills, revocable living trusts, and limited liability companies. Featured speakers include James P. Seidl, Business, Estate and Tax Planning Attorney of James P. Seidl Law Offices, PC; Thomas I. Hill, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner®, of Hill & Davis, CPA, PC; and David R. Wise, Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist of DavidWise.com Insurance, LLC. Participants will receive free planning materials, free opportunity to interact with featured speakers, and free follow-up consultation.

Refreshments will be served and seating is limited. Please register by Nov. 17 by visiting www.davidwise.com/seminars or by calling DavidWise.com Insurance at (434) 983-8780.

The November meeting for the Buckingham Dillwyn Garden Club will be held on Monday at the Buckingham Arts Center beginning at 10 a.m. A member master gardener is planning a program on Festive Fixin’s from Field and Forest. Contact Barbara Wheeler at (434) 547-8997 for more information.

Central Virginia Community Health Center continues to offer fitness classes to keep you in shape. Join the center on Monday for free use of the gym all day. Tai Chi is offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, will include yoga at 5 p.m. as well as a seminar hosted that day on diabetes. Stay healthy and well. For more information, call (434) 581-3271.

Sherri Wise is the columnist for the Buckingham Bulletin. She can be reached at wise.buckingham@gmail.com or (434) 983-1393.