EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Ashland FFA member Hannah McNaull.
ASHLAND — The Ashland FFA Nursery Landscape team traveled to Delaware Area Career Center to compete at the state competition last month.
The team has previously completed the online test to qualify for the state contest with Haley McNaull placing 3rd, Elise Frazer placing 24th, Brandon Keiser placing 29th, Hannah McNaull placing 50th, Caley Saechao placing 53rd and Thomas O’Toole placing 66th.
After the online test the team was 4th in state.
For the state finals the team had to prepare and learn how to lay sod, plant and stake trees, run ZTR mowers, run mid-sized mowers, run an irrigation system, and cost estimate. Haley McNaull and Brandon Keiser with a combined score placed 2nd on ZTR mower operation and 3rd on mid-sized mowers.
Hannah McNaull and Thomas O’Toole worked together on tree planting and sod laying to place 1st in tree planting and 7th in sod. Haley’s overall score placed her individually in 3rd place.
The earned a banner for placing 5th in the state. Hannah McNaull and Thomas O’Toole received a plaque for their 1st-place finish in tree planting.
The team thanks coach Julie McNaull, advisor Tod Fox, John Chalfant and Jerrad Lee for visiting Ashland High School to assist prior to the state contest.
Congratulations to the 2025 Ashland FFA Nursery & Landscape Team.