Holdrege FFA Chapter Participates in Virtual State Convention
Thirty Holdrege FFA members represented the Chapter at the 93rd Nebraska State FFA Convention April 7-9th. Events and State Contests were held virtually this year with teams competing March 22nd through March 30th and final results being announced during the virtual Convention Sessions.
The State FFA Association developed a virtual program of keynote speakers, State FFA Officer retiring addresses, agricultural industry tours and career fairs. Sessions were held virtually with several honors and awards being presented to the Holdrege Chapter and Members.
Holdrege FFA submitted it’s application and for judging of the Chapter’s Program of Activities in the National Chapter Recognition program. The Chapter was awarded the Premier Chapter Award. The award was presented to the Top 11 chapters across the state out of 195 Chapters. The Holdrege Chapter received Top Chapter honors in both Strengthening Agriculture and Growing Leaders categories, while getting 3rd in the Building Communities Division. The chapter was given the overall Top Chapter Application. The application will now move to the national level for evaluation. This is the 13th time in 14 years that the Holdrege application has made it to the National level.
The Holdrege Chapter was also recognized by the Nebraska FFA Foundation for raising over $6,400 for the I Believe In the Future of Ag Campaign. This amount was added to the state campaign funds generated and in return the chapter received $7,100 back for supporting the campaign. The funds put into this chapter come from many Holdrege area sponsors and donors, who contribute to the Campaign.
Chapter members Damian Smith, Garrett Ehrenberg, Josh Reed, Sabyn Petit, Grace Borden and Cassie Fulmer each earned their State FFA Degrees. The State FFA Degree is the highest degree that members can earn through the State Association. Since 1940 one hundred fifty Holdrege FFA Members have earned the State FFA Degree.
Holdrege FFA members excelled in Proficiency Award recognition this year. Senior, Josh Reed, received state runner up in Agricultural Service Placement. Senior, Damian Smith, received state winner honors in Ag Sales – Placement which will continue to National Level. Also qualifying for national consideration will be Garrett Ehrenberg’s Vegetable Production application as he was named the state winner. Senior, Cassie Fulmer received 5th place state gold in Ag Processing.
The Holdrege Chapter earned several accomplishments in the area of Leadership Development Events. Senior Grace Borden earned a Bronze ranking in Natural Resources Speaking Event outlining Conservation Stewardship Program.
The Parliamentary Procedure team earned a Silver ranking for their demonstration of different procedures on March 25th. Damian Smith, Sabyn Petit, Kade Komenda, Erika Wilkins, Chyenne Tidyman and Cassie Fulmer. Alternates for the team were Tyson Meyers and Connor Fulmer. Holdrege has qualified a State Parliamentary Procedure Team for State 6 of the past 9 years
The Freshman Chapter Conduct of Meetings Team was also a State Qualifier for the 7th time in 10 years. This team was made of Zac Sundquist, Beau Jensen, Corey Hanson, Charli Wells, Gavin Fornkner, Trey Weaver and Jaren Moore. Alternates for the team were Hearlea Shaw. The team competed on March 26th and earned an 8th Place Gold state rating of 24 teams.
Most of the chapter members competed in the State Career Development Event contests during the week of March 22nd.
Cassie Fulmer, Erika Wilkins, Bailey Edgren and Kade Komenda were all a part of the Food Science Team. The team placed 20th of 36 teams. Individually, Kade Komenda earned a blue placing.
Competing in Ag Communications was Erika Wilkins, Kade Komenda, Sabyn Petit,and Cassie Fulmer. Individually, Sabyn Petit placed 5th Place overall with Cassie Fulmer and Erika Wilkins bringing home white placings.
Livestock Management participants were Sabyn Petit, Sheree Russell, Grace Borden, Charli Wells, and Jeremiah Johnson. This team worked together and demonstrated knowledge of six major areas of the livestock industry from nutritional management to reproduction and marketing skills. The team earned a red ranking
Competing in Agriscience were freshman Corey Hanson, Jaren Moore, Trey Weaver, and Beau Jensen. The team took individual tests covering general agriculture knowledge and then more questions that centered on plant systems. The team earned a red ribbon placing. Beau Jensen earned red individually with Trey and Corey earning white ribbons.
The Agronomy team received a white ribbon; the team consisted of Josh Reed, Garrett Ehrenberg, Zac Sundquist, and Jaren Moore. Josh Reed had a red placing with Zac and Jaren earning white ribbons. The contest consisted of testing student knowledge of crops, insects, weeds and crop disorders and soils knowledge.
Holdrege FFA Chapter members will be concluding major activities for the school year with the 84th Annual FFA Banquet on Sunday, April 18th at the Phelps County Ag Center and conducting Plant Sales starting May 1st.
