Quitman FFA students debate groundwater issues before Wood County commissioners

QUITMAN, Texas (KLTV) - Quitman High School FFA students presented a mock debate on East Texas groundwater to Wood County commissioners as they gear up for district competition.

The competition, called the Ag Issues Forum, has students debate agriculture issues impacting where they live against other school districts. The 7 Quitman students have spent months researching the fight over East Texas groundwater and the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, which supplies water to 66 Texas counties.

“If we don’t have water, what do we have?” senior Lutske Bouma asked.

For the debate, Bouma argues on behalf of the Metroplex, seeking more water from the aquifer for hospitals in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Kinsey Hipp’s character advocates for East Texas, pushing for conservation and saving rivers and lakes.

“The aquifer we’re talking about, it reaches all the way down from East Texas to San Antonio, and if big cities come and take that water, then I mean, it affects us. It affects our kids’ lives in the future,” Hipp said.

After 15 minutes of discussion, Wood County commissioners gave feedback. One commissioner said: “It hits home because we’ve been talking about water conservation around here and them kids did a great job with it too.”

The group placed third at area last year — one place away from state. They need a first- or second-place finish to make state this year.

“We’re really gunning for 1st or 2nd this year,” a student said.