Listen to 2020-2021 Western Region Vice President David Lopez deliver his retiring address…
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Retiring Address: David Lopez
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2021 Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Connor Pence
Connor Pence of the Veribest FFA Chapter in Texas got his first start in breeding goats with five does his grandparents gave him when he was three years old. Today, he has a herd of forty does and their offspring, managing the breeding goat herd and raising market wethers. The typical sale price he earns is $185 per head. Pence is supported by his parents, Denise and Cory, and his FFA advisor, Travis Lange. Tractor Supply Company sponsors this proficiency.
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.
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Delegates Striking Conversations; Leading FFA in the Future
The primary reason for the National FFA Convention is to host the delegate experience to carry out the business of the National FFA Organization. There are 475 students leaders through every state association including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands helping lead the future of FFA to success. Justin Davis, National FFA Program Manger for Leadership Development, shares more about the importance of the delegate session and how it will impact the National FFA Organization with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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Branford FFA Chapter of Florida Named 2021 Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 29, 2021/National FFA Organization) –The Branford FFA Chapter of Florida was named the 2021 Premier Chapter: Growing Leaders during the fourth general session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, held in Indianapolis.
Branford FFA planted a maze to teach students about careers in plant science, technology, the environment and agricultural communications. The maze covered 3.5 acres, and participating students used GIS technology to cut it. They also developed partnerships with four local businesses to help fund the project; one local farmer even donated a 14-foot grain drill so they could continue cutting a maze in the future. The chapter taught 175 elementary-age students about fall agricultural commodities such as pumpkins, corn and sorghum.
The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
National FFA recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters that receive three-star ratings during judging are eligible to compete for the premier chapter awards. Ten FFA chapters competed for the honor. Branford FFA was recognized as the winner during the fourth general session on Friday, Oct. 29.
John Deere sponsors the National Chapter Award program. General convention sessions are aired live on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. FFA members and supporters can tune in and watch gavel-to-gavel coverage of the event. To learn more, visit Convention.FFA.org.
Chapter members McKayden Wilkerson and Christin Taylor discuss the details with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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Convention Organist Also Plays for the Cincinnati Reds
John Schutte has been the National FFA Convention organist for 6 years and stays because of the kindness of FFA members. Not only does he play to entertain students, but in summer he can be seen playing for the Cincinnati Reds Baseball team. As much as FFA values service, he does too with being a full-time firefighter. Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler speaks with him more how he got to the spot he is at today.
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2021 Forage Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Cason Love
Cason Love of the Stephenville FFA Chapter in Texas works on his father’s farm. The operation involves producing forage for their cattle and selling to various customers throughout the tri-county area. His responsibilities include cutting hay, running the tractor and baler, and loading hay out of the field with maintaining and repairing equipment in preparation for the next hay season. Love is supported by his parents, Jennifer and Robert, and his FFA advisors, Jordan Smith, Ryan Best, Brock Burch and Savannah Bowers. Claas of America sponsors this proficiency.
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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2021 Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship Winner Peter Bliss
Peter Bliss of the Merced-Golden Valley FFA Chapter in California was operating tractors and harvesters by the sixth grade. The family operation grows cotton, corn, wheat and almonds. When he entered high school, he inherited thirty acres of his own and began leasing more. He has farmed 212 acres of Alcala cotton, 75 acres of Durum wheat, and 60 acres of Monterey/Carmel almonds. Bliss is supported by his parents, Jeannie and Michael, and his FFA advisors, Vikki Davis, Coby Jacobsen, Karl Montague, John Olson, Madison Zittel and Rebecca Mendonza. Valent USA sponsors this proficiency.
He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.
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2021 Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Kayla Rossi
Kayla Rossi of the Soroco FFA Chapter in Colorado lives on her family’s cow/calf operation and developed an interest in the experience at an early age. She runs her livestock operation on roughly 100 acres of irrigated pastureland, raising cattle, sheep and goats. She irrigates, fixes fences, drags meadows, monitors the livestock and harvests hay. Rossi is supported by her parents, Megan and Tommy, and her FFA advisor, Jay Whaley. CHS and Tractor Supply Company sponsor this proficiency.
She discusses the details of her project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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Tagged 94th National FFA Convention, Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship, Proficiency Winners
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2021 Diversified Crop Production – Placement Winner Gage Slagell
Gage Slagell of the Hydro-Eakly FFA Chapter in Oklahoma works for Triple S Farms and his job descriptions all depend on the crops they’re growing at any particular time. The operation grows everything from sweet potatoes to cotton and spinach to peanuts. The crop rotation is focused on soil health, high-yielding crops and sustainable agricultural practices. Slagell is supported by his parents, Kendra and Chris, and his FFA advisor, Chris Klaassen. AgReliant Genetics sponsors this proficiency.
He dives into the details of his project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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2021 Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Tristan Wirkus
Tristan Wirkus of the Stratford FFA Chapter in Wisconsin uses the leadership skills he’s gained from FFA to educate the public about the importance of environmental stewardship in his community. He has served on the Stratford Village Tree Advisory Board, achieving Tree City USA status for the community for the last three years. Wirkus has also constructed and installed lending libraries along the Heritage Trail for the public, in addition to charting a tree identification course. He is supported by his parents, Becky and Tony, and his FFA advisors, Rebecca Wirkus and Troy Bargender. CHS sponsors this proficiency.
He discusses the details of his project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.
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