Page 21 - ESS July 2023

Young Professionals Corner competitive event in Indiana. At this event the students

compete in a variety of agricultural related events to include
a section in Environmental & Natural Resources Systems
competencies. After investigating further, I learned that
the students could compete in this particular event to show
competencies in various land surveying practices. Within
the Environment & Natural Resources event students
Introducing Land Surveying must be able to interpret legal land descriptions, determine
to FFA Students area, conduct various land surveying practices, utilize GPS
By Keith R. Burley systems and components, layout grade stakes with cut and
Young Professionals Committee Member fill markings, and layout and map contour lines.
In the profession of land surveying it seems that we are always I never knew that local FFA students would need survey
brainstorming and creating new strategies and programs for knowledge to compete and be successful on the national
outreach to the young people and students within our state. level. However, this poses a serious challenge to students.
Recently, I was introduced to the Future Farmers of America In our public schools there are no programs that teach the
(FFA). The FFA has a presence in our local public schools various aspects of land surveying to the students in order to
throughout New York. Growing up as a farmer, I am very be proficient at the competitive event. This responsibility
surprised I was never introduced to the FFA until just last lies solely with the FFA instructors. I believe this is whereas
year. I was approached by the instructor of the FFA program
at the local high school where I attended. I was informed professionals we come in.
that the FFA students needed to learn about land surveying I was invited to the school to help prepare and educate the
for a national competition they had coming up. This quickly FFA students on the aspects of land surveying needed to be
caught my attention, as the first thing that came to my mind proficient for the upcoming national competition. Upon
was being able to introduce this great profession to local arriving, the students were introduced to boundary maps,
students and continue outreach efforts. topographic maps, and legal descriptions. We spoke at length
Upon communicating with the FFA instructor I learned of what a legal description is, how to interpret, and how it
that the students would be attending the National FFA is used. In addition, we spoke about topographic maps and
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE their purpose for design and construction. After a discussion
on mapping we moved onto using GNSS RTK GPS systems
and a robotic total station in the field. Students were able
to use the equipment and experience real-life surveying in
the field. Throughout the process the students were engaged,
interested, and asking great questions. Each student chose to
use every piece of equipment that was introduced to them.

The students traveled to the national FFA event in Indiana and
did extremely well, bringing home a few medals. I truly believe
that the FFA program at public schools could be a fantastic
avenue for outreach in the profession of land surveying.
However, it may be the responsibility of us as professionals
to reach out to the local schools and FFA instructors to see if
there is an opportunity to educate students.

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 59 • NO 4/ 2023 • JULY/AUGUST 19