Clark State Agriculture Quiz Bowl winners: the Northwestern High School FFA team and Erica Hillard, advisor
Clark State College recently welcomed nine area high schools to campus for its first-ever Agriculture Quiz Bowl, an interactive competition designed to spark student interest in agricultural careers and highlight the college’s agriculture programs.
Teams of five students competed across five core subject areas—animal science, soil science, weed identification, insect identification and crop production—testing both their classroom knowledge and real-world agricultural skills.
“The quiz bowl was created to celebrate agriculture as a high-skill, high-impact field and to show students that agriculture is far more than farming—it’s science, technology, business and innovation,” said Avery Davison, assistant professor of agriculture at Clark State. “Today’s agriculture professionals solve global challenges like food security, sustainability and environmental stewardship. That starts with education.”
Northwestern High School earned top honors, taking home first-place and bragging rights among the participating schools.
“Northwestern FFA was excited to be invited to the Ag Quiz Bowl,” said Erica Hillard, Northwestern FFA advisor and CTC satellite agriculture education instructor. “It gave our students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in a competitive, fun environment while connecting with other FFA members from across the region. We are incredibly proud of their achievement!”
Participating schools included Southeastern, Northwestern, Springfield Clark CTC, Benjamin Logan, Northeastern Clark, Tecumseh, Greenon and two teams from Triad Ohio Hi Point.
According to Davison, the event also serves as a bridge between high school agriculture programs and postsecondary education.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the opportunities available through Clark State’s agriculture programs while building relationships with students who already have a passion for this field,” Davison said. “If you enjoy science, problem-solving, technology or working outdoors—or all of the above—agriculture offers career paths that are both meaningful and in demand.”
Clark State’s agriculture programs prepare students for a wide range of careers in one of the region’s most essential and evolving industries. Degree options include an associate degree in agricultural business engineering technology, an associate degree in agriculture business for transfer and specialties such as precision agriculture, horticulture, turf and landscape management, greenhouse operations and golf course operations.
“Agriculture touches every part of our daily lives,” Davison added. “From the food we eat to the land we manage, this industry needs skilled professionals who are ready to lead. Clark State gives students the hands-on experience and academic foundation to do exactly that.”
Clark State’s commitment to agriculture education extends beyond campus events and into national leadership. The College is a founding member of the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement and a key partner in a $9 million, four-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. This initiative is creating a national agriculture center for two-year colleges, expanding access to agriculture career pathways and preparing students for high-demand roles in conservation, precision agriculture, agronomy and natural resource management.
Through this partnership, Clark State students benefit from hands-on learning, applied research, internships and direct connections to USDA professionals—working on real-world challenges such as soil and water quality, sustainable farming practices, and advanced agricultural technologies. Together with programs like the Agriculture Quiz Bowl, this national collaboration reinforces Clark State’s role as a leader in agriculture education and a launch point for students ready to shape the future of agriculture
Spring classes begin Jan. 12. Students can enroll now at www.clarkstate.edu. Financial aid and scholarships are available.