Andrew Skidmore from the Atwater FFA Chapter in California won the extemporaneous public speaking contest at the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo. Skidmore explains the process of the contest and his topics.
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Washington FFA’s Michela Walker is the winner of the National FFA Talent contest.
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Comedic financial speaker Colin Ryan left FFA members with two messages: 1) Build Your Courage, and 2) Save Your Money
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Listen to National Secretary Nick Baker’s retiring address, “The One and Only.”
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Kalyn Cheyenne George of the Labette County FFA Chapter in Altamont, Kan., has a placement SAE working for a livestock and crop operation. There, she helps work 1,800 acres of row crop, 200 head of cow/calf pairs, and 1,200 head of stocker calves. She is responsible for feeding, doctoring and processing both the stocker and weaning calves. George also rakes and bales hay, hauls straw bales and performs routine maintenance on machinery. She is supported by her father, Tim, and her FFA advisors, Jeff Falkenstein, Jim Gilpin, Dustin Wiley and Kyle Zwahlen. This award is sponsored by Ram Trucks.
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Brandon Livingston of the Bushnell Prairie City FFA Chapter in Illinois works at a local plant nursery. He seeds, plants, transplants, moves, hauls and cares for annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees throughout the year. He has been licensed by the state of Illinois as a pesticide operator to spray chemicals and has learned to operate the cash register for sales. Livingston is supported by his parents, Michelle and Shad, and his FFA advisor, Steve Sargeant. This award is sponsored Nufarm & Valent USA Corporation.
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Tyler Stewart of the East Clinton FFA Chapter in Lees Creek, Ohio, owns and operates his own quail hunting facility. He is involved in every aspect of the operation – from hatching chicks to releasing the adult quail into a rehabilitated habitat. Starting his business with 300 quail eggs, he currently has more than 2,000 quail that produce an excess of 30,000 eggs. Stewart is supported by his parents, Tracy and Rich, and his FFA advisor, Matt Griffith. This award is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation USA.
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Sabrina L. Portner of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter in Minnesota raises and breeds her own dairy cattle. Receiving her first calf when she was 7, she currently owns a herd of 27 registered Brown Swiss cattle. She has used pedometers to increase heat observations and has conducted a milk quality research project with her herd that has allowed her to discover which mastitis organisms are affecting her cows. Portner is supported by her parents, Mary and Tom, and her FFA advisor, Mary Hoffman. This award is sponsored by New Holland.
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Andrew E. Streff of the McCook Central FFA Chapter in Salem, S.D., persuaded his parents to rent him land to undertake his own agricultural endeavor. Starting with 10 acres in 2013 and working his way up to 60 acres last year, he grows corn. In addition to purchasing his own seed, fertilizer, herbicides, insurance, fuel and other supplies, he follows grain market trends to ensure he receives a good price for his corn. He is supported by his parents, Julie and Eugene, and his FFA advisors, Terry Rieckman and Tracy Chase. This award is sponsored by Valent USA Corporation.
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Bethany Niles of the Fairview FFA Chapter in Oklahoma admits that her communication skills weren’t outstanding before joining FFA. But then she was elected chapter reporter and began “Doing to Learn.” She has maintained her chapter’s website, social media accounts and scrapbook. She has also made presentations at the local Lion’s Club and had the opportunity to promote her agriscience program on a regional radio station. Niles is supported by her parents, Nancy and Sid, and her FFA advisors, Jerrod Lundry and Vince McGolden. This award is sponsored by Bader Rutter and Associates, Inc. and Red Brand.
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