Fairfield FFA holds annual awards banquet

The Fairfield FFA Chapter held its annual banquet on May 10 in the Cambridge Building at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Approximately 50 people attended, both FFA members and their families.

The 2020-2021 FFA officer team opened the banquet with opening ceremonies. Then, the officers held the Greenhand Degree Ceremony. Those awarded the Greenhand Degree this year were: Colton Adkison, Tallon Bates, Yahya Halim, Noah Mizelle, Adrian Paul, Carson Rubey, Sterling Spees, Briana Steele, and Madisyn Woodburn. The Star Greenhand Degree was given to Briana Steele.

Next was the Chapter Degree Ceremony. Those who received their degree this year were Hailey Burke, Dillan Post, and Adrian Scotton. The Star Chapter Award was given to both Dillan Post and Adrian Scotton. Since FFA was not able to have an in-person banquet last year, the chapter also recognized last year’s Greenhand and Chapter Degree recipients. The 2019-2020 Star Greenhands were Dillan Post and Adrian Scotton, and the 2019-2020 Star Chapter Degree was Nate Smithburg.

Career Development Event Certificates were given to those competing in contests this year. Daniel Baldosier, Payton Cline, Nick Kaska, and Adrian Scotton participated in the virtual Iowa FFA Poultry Judging CDE. They received a Gold and placed 8th in the state.

The Soils Judging Team, consisting of Daniel Baldosier, Brad Smithburg, Nate Smithburg, and Briana Steele competed at Sub-Districts and Districts. They placed 8th at districts and received a Silver. The Parliamentary Procedure Team, consisting of Nick Kaska, Brad Smithburg, Nate Smithburg, Brad Woodburn, and Nate Woodburn, participated at Sub-District Contests receiving a Gold and advancing to Districts. At Districts, they received a Silver.

The Experience the Action team, consisting of Dillan Post, Adrian Scotton, Briana Steele, Sterling Spees, and Madisyn Woodburn, participated at Districts, receiving 2nd place and advancing to state. While at state convention, they received 10th place Bronze. Also, at State Convention, the Ag Sales Team, consisting of Nick Kaska, Blake Metz, Brad Smihburg, and Nate Smithburg, received a Silver. Nick Kaska received 22nd place in Individual Sales, and Brad Smithburg received 16th place in the test, out of around 250 FFA members. Daniel Baldosier and Phoebe Fiedler participated in Poultry Judging, receiving a bronze rating as a team. Phoebe Fiedler placed 28th in the Egg Grading category.

The results of fruit sales were given by the Treasurer. The Business Appreciation Award was given to Libertyville Savings Bank for their support of the chapter throughout the year. Brian Baldosier was given the Honorary Chapter Degree for assisting the chapter in driving and serving as a chaperone at the National FFA Convention in the Fall of 2019.

Seniors were recognized for their contributions and accomplishments during the last four years, and members introduced their parents who were present. Brad Smithburg, President, gave his retiring address, and Mrs. Burkhalter, FFA Advisor, also spoke about the year’s accomplishments and thanked parents and families for all of their support. Then, the Year-In-Review Slideshow, created by Emma Clubb, was presented.

The banquet ended with the 2020-2021 FFA officer team being recognized for their service to the chapter throughout the year and were awarded retiring officer plaques. The 2020-2021 FFA officer team was: Brad Smithburg, President; Daniel Baldosier, Vice President; Phoebe Fiedler, Secretary; Blake Metz, Treasurer; and Nate Smithburg, Sentinel.

The retiring officer team proceeded to install the 2021-2022 chapter officers: Nate Smithburg, President; Nick Kaska, Vice President; Dillan Post, Secretary; Briana Steele, Treasurer; Nate Woodburn, Reporter; and Brad Woodburn, Sentinel. The new officer team conducted Closing Ceremonies. The members took a chapter photo outside with a tractor that was on display from Sinclair Tractor. Ice cream cups were served to the members and their families.