Amanda Osmundson Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Beef Production – Placement

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Lydia Johnson

Amanda Osmundson of the Oakdale FFA Chapter in California works on her family’s beef operation, helping to manage 300 heard of registered Beefmaster, commercial, and E6 cattle. Her focus is a seed stock operation to sell registered bulls and donor cows to commercial producers in order for them to maximize the quality of the market cattle. Osmundson has learned to perform artificial insemination on cattle. She is supported by her parents, Mayra and Gregory, and her FFA advisors Edward Hartzell, Matt Marshall, Isaac Robles and Julie Schellhase. 

Hear more about her lifelong project in an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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Morelia Vieyra Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Equine Science – Placement

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Hannah Whetstone

Morelia Vieyra of the Madera FFA Chapter in California works as a stable hand and groomer at Rancho Alegre Stables, boarding and training more than 40 horses. The ranch has 42 covered stalls and multiple pastures to house the horses, a racetrack, an arena, and a chute system. Vieyra is supported by her parents, Irma and Alejandro, and her FFA advisors Kristin Sheehan, Sigifredo Valladares Renteria, Jordana Faria and Brianna Ellis.

Vieyra shares about her supervised agricultural experience with Broadcast Desk Intern Hannah Whetstone.

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Joe Schohr of California Named 2023 Creed Speaking Winner

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Hannah Whetstone

INDIANAPOLIS- Winners of the National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) were announced Thursday during the second session of the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Mr. Greg Beard served as superintendent of the event.

The top four individuals received cash awards to recognize their success in the event.

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.

Broadcast Desk Intern Hannah Whetstone caught up with the top individual in the contest Joe Schohr. The California native spoke of the importance of the FFA Creed, his FFA experience, and what’s next.

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2023 Agriscience Research-Animal Systems Winner Jay Bliler

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

Jay Bliler of the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois has conducted his research in partnership with JRW Calf Ranch, using their equipment, feed, medications and 80 beef cattle. His objective was to conduct research and share his findings on how to improve calf health and feed efficiency. He began by comparing the effectiveness of an added digestive enzyme in a calf’s dairy milk. Bliler is supported by his parents, Elizabeth and Nathan, and his FFA advisors Sue Schafer, Katie King, Charles Dammerman, and Lori Parks.

Jay shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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Madilynn Campbell Named Equine Science Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award Winner

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

Madilynn Jayde Campbell of the Adair FFA Chapter in Oklahoma raises and trains halter quarter horses using her family’s open stall barn and arena. Her project began with three foundation quarter horses gifted to her by her grandfather. She now has seven mares and geldings and a large clientele. She closely tracks all feed, veterinary and equipment expenses. Campbell is supported by her parents, Becky and Shanon, and her FFA advisors Devin DeLozier and Shane Johnson.

She explains more of her award winning project area with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Oregon FFA Member Named Dairy Entrepreneurship Proficiency Winner

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

Clancey Krahn of the Scio FFA Chapter in Oregon has a herd of 41 purebred registered Jersey and Brown Swiss dairy cattle. In 2018, her family built a farmstead creamery and began processing milk on-site in a vertically integrated system. She utilizes a vat pasteurization, non-homogenization system for processing her milk, which is bottled in recyclable glass bottles and sold to 50 retail stores and coffee shops in Oregon. Krahn is supported by her parents, Amy and Ben, and her FFA advisor, Krysta Sprague.

She shares more about her dairy project and related experiences in an interview with Broadcast News Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Caroll County Middle FFA of Virginia Named Middle School Model of Excellence

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Michelle Stangler

Carroll County Middle FFA of Virginia was named the 2023 National Middle School Model of Excellence winner. The chapter promoted agricultural literacy to children in their county during the public library’s “March is Ag Literacy Month” program. This is one of the many activities that led to FFA program to top honors. Hear more from FFA member of the first agriculture education program under the 1917 Smith Hughes Act, according to the advisor, and Chapter Vice President Madelyn Caviness in an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern Michelle Stangler.

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Madison Perkins Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Lydia Johnson

Madison Perkins of the Gilmer FFA Chapter in Texas has conducted a four-year study on the effects of vegetation, pond age, algae control methods, and agricultural practices on the biodiversity and water quality of aquatic habitats. Her project consisted of 20 ponds in seven watersheds. Ponds were divided into three experiment groups:  fertilizer only, cattle only, and both cattle and fertilizer. Perkins is supported by her parents, Donna Sue and Mike, and her FFA advisors Sue Witt, Russell Thomas, Jacqueline Cole and Kyle Keahey. 

Learn more about her experience in ag research that began when she was in fourth grade in an interview with Broadcast Desk Intern, Lydia Johnson.

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Indiana Governor Remarks on Impact of FFA on the Future of Agriculture

Posted on November 2, 2023 by John Ching

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb comments on how FFA determines the Future of Agriculture. Holcomb goes on to say how the organizational and problem-solving skill students develop while in FFA can be applicable to public service. Holcomb said he is inspired by groups such as FFA.

Governor Holcomb shares more with Broadcast Desk Intern John Ching.

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Lillie Cagle Named 2023 National Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Education – Entrepreneurship/Placement

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Hannah Whetstone

Lillie Cagle of the Bledsoe FFA Chapter in Tennessee wrote and illustrated an interactive children’s book designed to advance agricultural knowledge and education among elementary-age students. She has taken her book to elementary schools to read to students and was inspired to create a nonprofit called Ag Across the Board. For it, Cagle transformed a trailer into a mobile agricultural education classroom. She is supported by her FFA advisor, Ronny Collier.

The young author and Tennessee FFA State Sentinel caught up with Broadcast Desk Intern Hannah Whetstone to share her FFA story.

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