WEST SALEM, Ohio — On Feb. 20, members of the Northwestern FFA chapter participated in multiple judging contests at the Mt. Gilead Invitational. The dairy cattle judging team consisted of David Miley, Austin Beegle and Cory Leighty. The team placed fifth, with Miley taking second individually.
Phil Eberly, Debbie Eberly, Rae Rempher, Maria Chellis, and Kierstyn Wood competed in the milk quality and products judging contest. The team placed first overall with Philip Eberly placing first individually.
The general livestock judging contest included Katie Stull, Kaci Way, Kyle Wharton, Cody Morrow, Riley Stull and Jessie Bair. The team placed sixth, with Way placing seventh individually. Austen Wood, Hunter Kanzeg, Cody Starling, Spencer Deming and Hayden Tiliske competed in the wildlife management judging contest, finishing fifth.
On Feb. 27, members competed in the general livestock judging contest at ATI. The first team consisted of Kaci Way, Katie Stull, Jessie Bair and Kyle Piscione. This team placed fifth out of more than 75 teams. The second team consisted of Taylor Dawson, Cody Morrow, Gwen Harland, and Brittney Harland. This team placed 29th.
On Feb. 25, four members competed in the District Public Speaking contest: Mykenzie Snyder, Emily Cromer, Kierstyn Wood and Kaci Way. Emily Cromer placed second in creed speaking. Mykenzie Snyder placed first in the beginning prepared contest; Kierstyn Wood placed first in the advanced prepared contest; and Kaci Way placed third in the extemporaneous speaking. Top finishers will advance to the state contest in March.
The chapter also recently celebrated National FFA Week Feb. 16-19. Tuesday’s spirit day was tie-dye day. Wednesday was hat and boot day. Thursday was crazy blue and gold and/or official dress day.
Members also served pancakes, eggs and sausage to the faculty and staff of the high school. Friday was dress to impress day. Also on Friday, an assembly was held to get the whole school involved, as well as the eighth-grade class. At the assembly, competitions were held between grade levels.
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ASHLAND, Ohio — The Crestview FFA chapter celebrated FFA Week, Feb. 16-19. On Feb. 17, the chapter held its community luncheon. Members wore official dress and served the Crestview staff and community members a meal. During the lunch, serveral members also did a presentation on the trip to Honduras they had taken in the summer.
The staff breakfast was held Feb. 18. The freshmen also had “Greenhand Day.”
On Feb. 19, the student body and staff participated in a community service project called Meals of Hope. The student body and staff were split into groups and packed 50,400 meals that were handed out to 15 different local food pantries within Richland and Ashland counties.
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — On Feb. 27, two members from the Zane Trace FFA chapter traveled to Franklin Equipment in Groveport, Ohio, to compete in the District 7 Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostics CDE. The team consisted of Junior Zach Wheeler and Senior Kevin Daubenmire. They were assisted by parent, Tim Seymour, who has served as the team coach for the past two years. This year the team placed third at the district level, out of 12 teams.
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SULLIVAN, Ohio — On Feb. 23, the Black River FFA chapter was represented by Brandon Heath and Tony Strojin at the District Agricultural Power Diagnostics Career Development Event. Heath and Strojin earned a first-place finish and will be advancing to the state competition in March.
On Feb. 24, senior Jessica Peak participated in the District 3 Public Speaking Career Development Event, held at Norwayne High School. Peak participated in the Advanced FFA Creed and placed second in her division and will advance to state.
On Feb., 20, the chapter attended the Mt. Gilead Judging Invitational at the Morrow County Fairgrounds. Team members participated in the horse judging, general livestock, and nature competitions. The Nature Interpretation team earned 10th place. The team consisted of John Bricker, Eric Cordonnier, and Allen Slaven. The Horse Judging competition consists of judging two halter classes, one performance, and a class of hay, identifying different types of tack and equipment, and taking a 50-question written test.
Overall, the horse team placed fourth out of 21 teams, scoring 1,047 points. The team consisted of Madison Stuart, seventh, Madison Edwards 13th, Hannah McKenzie, Hailey Park, Hailee Baker, Rachael Holt, and Meghan Gallagher. In addition, two Black River middle school student participated, Chloee Howard, fifth, and Sora Edwards. The General Livestock team earned 16th. Individually team members consisted of Callee Aviles, Suzanne Packard, Breanna Clifford, McKenzie Hendershot, and Hannah Moskal.
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OBERLIN, Ohio — Each year Ohio FFA selects a total of 12 outstanding students as the best-of-the-best in the star contest. Firelands FFA submitted the applications of Brandon Palmer, in agribusiness, for his maple syrup and maple cream businesses; Alex Sabine applied for Star in Agricultural Placement, for her jobs at Aufdenkampe Farm and Hillcrest Orchards; and Katy Tuggle applied for Star Farmer for her sheep breeding and market project.
All three have been deemed state finalists in their areas. This is the first time that Firelands has any star state finalists. Students will receive a visit from the evaluation committee at their farm, home or job to complete the interview process and to be evaluated for final placings in each category. Results will be announced at the second session of the Ohio State FFA Convention, May 5.
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MILLERSBURG, Ohio — On Feb. 20, the West Holmes spring judging teams attended the Mt. Gilead Judging Invitational. The dairy judging team placed first out of 18 teams. Individually, William Hughes was the highest placer, coming in third. Becca Vales placed eighth, Mikey Kick was 15th, Regina Miller, 21st, Logan Schlauch, 23rd, and Alyx Morris, 42nd. The General Livestock Judging team placed 19th. The General Livestock team also attended the ATI judging invitational Feb. 26. The team placed 22nd. Individually, Carter Smith was 26th.
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LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — The Loudonville FFA and FFA Alumni annual strawberry sale is underway. The chapter is selling whole and half flats of freshly picked Florida strawberries, which will be delivered the week of March 14. Cost of a full flat is $20 and includes 12 pints and half flats are $10. The berries are picked in Florida and delivered days later. They are juicy, sweet berries and are great for eating fresh, freezing, or jam making. The group is also selling D. B. Yummers barbeque sauce in mild, spicy, or island varieties. It is packaged in glass bottles for $4.25, gallon jugs for $21, or 12-bottle cases for $45. Contact any Loudonville FFA member or call the LHS Ag Department by March 12, at 419-994-4101. The profits from the first pallet of berries will be used to add to the Loudonville FFA Alumni’s scholarship fund. The remaining money raised will assist in sending students at a reduced cost to district and state FFA contests, State FFA Convention, summer FFA camp, and Washington Leadership Conference.
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JEROMESVILLE, Ohio — The Hillsdale FFA agricultural sales team won the district contest with team members Kendal Meyer, Taylor Rebman, Sean Fitzimons and Blayne Barter.
Kendal Meyer placed first individually and Sean Fitzimons placed second individually. The team will compete in the state contest May 5.
