Buckingham Middle School Future Farmers of America placed first in the Southside Area FFA Small Animal Care Career Development Event held April 14 at Tunstall Middle School. 

The team included Dylan Price, who placed first as an individual, Kayleah Corral, who placed third as an individual, April Sage, fifth high individual, and Taylor Plant. Sherry Dorrier coached the team.

The FFA Small Animal Care Career Development event concentrates on the identification, health and nutrition of household pets. Participants also demonstrated their knowledge of scientific terms used in the animal care industry, new technologies in animal care, ethical concerns related to animal welfare and career opportunities related to small/companion animals. Small animals include cats, dogs, rabbits, aquarium fish, guinea pigs, birds and other household animals.

The contest included four individual events and a team activity. The individual events were a written test, breed identification, feed and equipment identification, skill assessment performing a task such as reading nutrition labels, selecting a pet and use of equipment and training. In the team problem-solving activity members were presented with a written problem, such as caring for a pet, pet health, determining cost or reading product labels.