2021 Diversified Agricultural Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Hunter Holdgrafer

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lydia Johnson

Hunter Holdgrafer of the Easton Valley FFA Chapter in Iowa came into his freshman year of high school with eight cows and a desire to learn more about growing corn and soybeans. He began with a small number of acres that he rented from a neighbor. When he began his project, he relied on the advice of professionals. He’s since learned to do everything from setting his planting date, determining fungicide application, scouting, and when to combine. Holdgrafer is supported by his parents, Keri and Brian, and his FFA advisor, Jennifer Marion. The National FFA Foundation and the National FFA Organization sponsor this proficiency.

He discusses the details of his project with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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Paris FFA Chapter of Missouri Named 2021 Model of Excellence

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lydia Johnson

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021/National FFA Organization)  – The Paris FFA Chapter of Missouri was named the 2021 Model of Excellence during the third general session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo this year in Indianapolis.

Paris FFA held weekly Zoom meetings during the pandemic, creating lessons that focused on the five quality standards of the growing leaders section of the Program of Activities (POA). The chapter also held an event to cull the number of coyotes, which are predators in the area, and awarded prizes to participating community members. In another show of community support, the chapter visited each home in town, providing them with smoke detectors and batteries as needed. The FFA members worked with the local fire department to help install the fire detectors to ensure the safety of their community.

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 POA 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. Paris FFA was recognized as the winner during the third general session on Thursday, Oct. 28.

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.

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2021 Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Entrepreneurship/Placement Winner Benjamin Olander

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lydia Johnson

Benjamin Olander of the Staples-Motley FFA Chapter in Minnesota has been interested in the functions of crafting and building structures for as long as he remembers. He began working for a machine shop owned by his grandfather and uncle and learned MIG, TIG and Arc welding, along with learning how to operate the cutting torch and plasma cutter. These tools have helped him create landscape rakes, feed wagons and excavator thumbs. Olander is supported by his parents, Denise and Keith, and his FFA advisors, Kerry Lindgren and Joe Ramstad. Carry-On Trailer Corporation and Lincoln Electric/Harris Products Group sponsors this proficiency.

Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson, learns more about Benjamin’s project.

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2020-21 National Officer Parent Recognition

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Tom Brand

The 2020-21 National Officer team recognized their parents during the third session at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis…

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Retiring Address: Artha Jonassaint

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Tom Brand

Listen to 2020-2021 Southern Region Vice President Artha Jonassaint deliver her retiring address…

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2021 Extemporaneous Public Speaking Winner Blake Koether

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Michelle Stangler

Winners of the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Friday during the seventh session of the National FFA Convention & Expo. The event was held in conjunction with the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Dr. Jon Ramsey of Oklahoma State University served as the superintendent of this year’s national event.

The top four individuals received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the extemporaneous public speaking event are sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Invenergy and Nationwide Foundation. The American Farm Bureau Federation is proud to sponsor the National FFA Organization and its members as they pursue their mission of premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

The National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought out and logical manner. Members select one topic from a choice of categories, have thirty minutes to prepare a four to six minute speech, and respond to five minutes of questions following delivery.

This event, held at the Hyatt and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.

1st Place– Blake Koether of Sinton FFA, TX
2nd Place– Isabelle Dillsaver of Atwater-Buhach Colony FFA, CA
3rd Place– Loganne Mason of Crowley County FFA, CO
4th Place– Jared Stone of Chandler FFA, OK

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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2021 Beef Production – Placement Winner Amanda Annett

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Kailey Foster

Amanda Annett of the Utica FFA Chapter in Ohio works for her family’s cattle feedlot operation. They run approximately 300 head of Holstein dairy steers, starting them from two days old on milk replacer and raising them to market weight. The bull calves are raised from bottle to finished in five different barns. All cattle are marketed and sold on a contract through United Producers. Annett is supported by her parents, Tatum and Kevin, and her FFA advisor, Gina Neff. Zoetis sponsors this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.

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2021 Creed Speaking Winners

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lydia Johnson

INDIANAPOLIS- Winners of the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Friday during the sixth session of the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Dr. Kimberly Bellah of Murray State University served as superintendent of the event.

The top four individuals received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the Creed speaking event are sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation.

The National FFA Creed Speaking LDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to present the National FFA Creed in a competitive setting. Members deliver the Creed from memory and respond to three questions. The event gives FFA members the opportunity to develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner.

The event, held at the Downtown Indianapolis Marriott in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the National FFA Convention & Expo in which FFA members practice the lessons taught in agricultural education classes.

Top Placing Individuals

1st Place– Sidney Stiers of Williamsfield FFA, IL
2nd Place– Olivia Olson of Lake Mills FFA, WI
3rd Place– Elissia Diaz of Cottonwood-West Valley FFA, CA
4th Place– Jhett West of John B Kendrick Sheridan FFA, WY

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2021 Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship Winner Case Edwards

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Lydia Johnson

Case Edwards of the Wetumpka FFA Chapter in Alabama owns a business that repairs two- and four-cycle small engines on agricultural equipment and larger equipment like tractors. In the first two years of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE), he repaired approximately six pieces of equipment including push mowers, string trimmers and riding mowers. These repairs built his confidence and led him to repairing and painting a 1950 John Deere Model M, a 1947 Farmall Super A, and a 1965 Massey 135. Edwards is supported by his parents, Jamie and Joey, and his FFA advisors, William Norris and Keith Lucy. Kubota Tractor and Tractor Supply Company sponsor this proficiency.

He shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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2021 Beef Production – Entrepreneurship Winner Gracey Pitchford

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Kailey Foster

Gracey Pitchford of the Eustace FFA Chapter in Texas owns and manages a 36 head herd of registered Santa Gertrudis cattle on 160 acres of high-quality coastal pastureland, allowing her to run one head of cattle on 4.3 acres. Her herd began with a registered heifer named Daisy Duke gifted by her grandfather. After her show career, Daisy Duke became the foundation female of Pitchford’s herd, which now sits at 36 head. She is supported by her parents, Shana and Darrell, and her FFA advisors, Theresa Tindel, Steve Stegall, Makayla Arnold and Cyler Frost. Merck Animal Health and Rabo AgriFinance sponsor this proficiency.

She shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern Kailey Foster.

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