DOSWELL—Visitors to the State Fair of Virginia Sept. 25-Oct. 4 can admire award-winning student creations that enriched classrooms, mobilized communities and captivated judges in the first-ever Virginia Lumber Cup Woodworking Challenge.

The State Fair of Virginia, in partnership with Virginia Farm Bureau and The Turman Group, encouraged middle and high school shop-related programs and clubs to participate in the brand-new contest this winter and early spring. Winners were announced in late April and awarded cash prizes, bragging rights and the chance to display their entries at this year’s State Fair.

The inaugural competition is designed to offer Virginia students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of the forestry industry and build woodworking skills. This year, school groups were challenged to create a unique woodworking project using Virginia hardwood spacer-stick material donated by The Turman Group, a Virginia-based wood products and lumber manufacturing group.

Ryan Turman delivered the company’s excess sticks to last year’s State Fair in hopes of addressing widespread shortages of classroom woodworking materials.

“I thought, ‘If we can figure out how to get these sticks into the hands of teachers, we could start a competition,’” he explained. “We don’t have as many kids now who are learning how to build a desk, cabinets or relatively simple things, and they’re further behind when there are no materials to allow them to do that.”

With energetic support from his employees, industry contacts, the State Fair and Virginia Farm Bureau, Turman’s vision was swiftly brought to life—drawing over 30 entries from school groups across the state and 42,240 votes cast in the People’s Choice category.

“It’s amazing what a community can accomplish when there’s a common goal,” Turman reflected.

“Farm Bureau was proud to support the program through the efforts of the Membership & Field Services Department, which assisted with everything from delivering wood bundles to helping align and judge the competition,” remarked Matt Nuckols, VFBF director of membership engagement. “The Lumber Cup was a great opportunity to see the incredible talent, skill and dedication of Virginia’s students on display.”

VFBF President Scott Sink, who helped hand-deliver materials to schools across the state, said that “creativity is still out there—students just need the tools. If we give them those opportunities, the sky’s the limit.”

Students crafted everything from wooden canoes and a greenhouse to a motorcycle display and the Statue of Liberty.

“Those hands-on connections are really what inspires, excites and empowers kids; shows them what they’re capable of; and opens up career pathways,” remarked Sarah Jane Thomsen, who helped spearhead the program while serving as the State Fair’s manager of agriculture education.

“And if they win, they get substantial premiums to support and hopefully build up their programs,” she added.

A total of $11,000 was awarded to this year’s regional, division and People’s Choice Award winners. Prizes were sponsored by the Carneal-Drew Foundation, Charles Wright Logging, Coleman Lumber, Franklin Lumber, Google and Speyside Bourbon Stave Mill, with additional support from The Turman Group.

Program organizers look forward to expanding the contest’s reach, accessibility and industry partnerships in coming years. Visit StateFairVa.org for more information on the competition.

View this year’s winning entries.

This year’s winners

People’s Choice: Caroline High School

Division Winners

Senior

• First place: Eastern Montgomery High School
• Second place: Caroline High School
• Third place: Haven Heights Home School
• Honorable mentions:
  • Broadway High School FFA
  • Dowell J. Howard Center

Junior

• First place: New City Academy
• Second place: Warren More Than Market 4-H
• Third place: Cedar Lee Middle School
• Honorable mentions:
  • Galax Middle School
  • Hillyard Middle School

Regional Winners

Senior

• Northern Region: Dowell J. Howard Center
• Central Region: Piedmont Christian School
• Valley Region: Greene FFA
• Southwest Region: Eastern Montgomery High School
• Southeast Region: Caroline High School

Junior

• North and Valley Region: Warren More Than Market 4-H
• Central Region: New City Academy
• South Region: Galax Middle School

Media: Contact Turman at 276-733-4930; or Nuckols at 804-938-2043.