SV Future Farmers of America on an exciting journey this year
PHOTO PROVIDED SVRCS’s team won first place in the State Grasslands Competition in State College. The team, from left, includes Cheyenne Holdren,Thea Homan, McKenna Fox and Naaman Conoway.
PHOTO PROVIDED The Ag Sales Team, from left, Taylor Geisewite, Lillian Conoway, Cheyenne Holdren and Ella Rossman, took second place in states.
PHOTO PROVIDED The Forestry Team, from left, Naaman Conoway, Hunter Showers, John Raudabaugh and Regan Doyle, placed second overall in the individual competition at states.
PHOTO PROVIDED SVRCS’s team won first place in the State Grasslands Competition in State College. The team, from left, includes Cheyenne Holdren,Thea Homan, McKenna Fox and Naaman Conoway.
PHOTO PROVIDED The Ag Sales Team, from left, Taylor Geisewite, Lillian Conoway, Cheyenne Holdren and Ella Rossman, took second place in states.
PHOTO PROVIDED The Forestry Team, from left, Naaman Conoway, Hunter Showers, John Raudabaugh and Regan Doyle, placed second overall in the individual competition at states.
LOGANTON -- There's been a lot of excitement for the Future Farmers of America at Sugar Valley Rural Charter School.
Starting in June challenged themselves in competition and excelled in many areas at the state FFA convention.
The Forestry Team placed second overall, earning them a spot in the Eastern National Competition (BIG E) in Massachusetts in early September. The team consisted of Naaman Conoway, Hunter Showers, John Raudabaugh and Regan Doyle. Conoway also was second overall in the individual competition.
The Ag Sales team also placed second overall, but this competition did not provide an opportunity for them to advance. This team consisted of Taylor Geisewite, Lillian Conoway, Cheyenne Holdren and Ella Rossman. Ella Rossman was third overall in the individual competition, while Cheyenne Holdren was fifth overall.
In the very tough FFA Creed Speaking competition, in which you must qualify for through an area and regional competition, Isaiah Nearhoof finished fourth place out of the 12 individuals overall.
The SVRCS FFA organization also entered the yearly scrap book of all the activities that we participate in as an organization, from community service to apple cider making. This year's scrap book finished first overall.
A team also competed in the Agronomy Competition and the Poultry Competition. Team members in Agronomy were Abigail Grove, McKenna Fox, Alanta Doan and Thea Homan. Team members in Poultry were Haili Frank, Elizabeth Peters, Blaine Walizer and Corbin Homan.
Next was the Clinton County Fair.
The SVRCS FFA was asked to showcase what they do during the year. One night the Officer Team demonstrated the opening and closing ceremonies of the FFA. During this time they also had two speakers present, with Isaiah Nearhoof reciting the FFA Creed and Cheyenne Holdren presenting her Junior Prepared Speech on Farm Safety. Later in the week they had displays on materials that the FFA uses to study for their competitions. There was a crop and weed identification display and a wildlife identification display. These displays challenged fairgoers, who were asked to test their knowledge on both displays. There were also several students showing livestock during fair week.
From Sept. 13-15, the Forestry Team headed to the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Springfield, Mass. Team members who competed where Regan Doyle, John Raudabaugh, Naaman Conoway and Hunter Showers. The team got to experience many different things while at the fair, but were there to compete and show their knowledge. They attended a formal banquet where they learned they had placed fifth as a team in the competition. Overall, they left Massachusetts with more knowledge and they all had a great time.
The SVRCS FFA participated in the State Grasslands competition on Oct. 10, held at the Ag Progress Complex in State College. The competition included 16 teams from FFA chapters, 4-H groups, and Science groups across the state. The competition included Pasture Management, Weed and Grass Identification, Wildlife Management and Habitat Evaluation, Soil Interpretation and Health.
Students participated individually and then their scores were tallied together for a team total. The top two teams and the top individual were recognized.
SVRCS won first place and each member received a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice. The team consisted of Thea Homan, Naaman Conoway, McKenna Fox and Cheyenne Holdren. Cheyenne also scored the highest at the competition and won an additional $500 scholarship.
The team now has the opportunity to compete at nationals held in Springfield, Mo. in June, 2020.
What is next for the SVRCS FFA students?
The Area Career Development Events (CDE) start this November and they have all been preparing.