Van Buren County FFA involved in many activities throughout the year

The Van Buren County FFA has been involved in many FFA activities throughout the 2025-2026 school year. In the spring of 2025, we attended the Iowa FFA state convention, where Paje Thompson and Payten Poling got their Iowa degrees. Rylee Caviness, Abby Koellner, Paje Thompson, and Alicia Cumberland participated in the Farm Business Management contest, where they received gold. Randi Grimm did the Discovery Test. Lizzie Camp participated in the Greenhand Degree and Bailey Headley participated in the Chapter test.

At the Van Buren County Fair we had many exhibitors including, Zane Smith, Madelyn Mercer, Abbigail Kellneor, Rylee Caviness, Bailey Headley, Braxton Headley, Carver Goehring, Molly Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Oscar Ward, Randi Grimm, and Brooklyn Headley. FFA Aumni hosted a livestock judging competition where our members competed. Rory Philips placed 1st and Randi Grimm placed 2nd.

We also had many members compete at the Iowa State Fair. Zane Smith competed in the Goat show, placing 3rd overall with his breeding doe, Abigail Keollner competed in the performance beef show, Bailey Headley, Braxton Headley, Carver Goehring, Randi Grimm, and Brooklyn Headley, all competed in the Swine Show. Randi Grimm placed 3rd overall in crossbred breeding guilt. Randi Grimm also competed in the Breeding Beef Show.

In October we partnered with Vision Ag where a few of our FFA officers delivered lunches to Farmers in the field.

In November, the chapter did their Annual harvest breakfast where they prepared and served breakfast and sacked lunch to local farmers and community members.

The Van Buren County FFA Chapter was involved in many competitions and projects this year. In the fall, members participated in Soil Judging and placed very well at both Sub-District and District levels. We were able to take six members to National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. At National Convention they were able to meet students from all 50 states, go on career tours, network with colleges and businesses and much more.

Locally, they planned and hosted a Harvest Breakfast to honor our local farmers and provided breakfast and lunch while many farmers were harvesting crops.

We had another successful growing season at our FFA Plot thanks to many local volunteers! During the holiday season, FFA members decorated a tree that was auctioned during the Festival of Trees event.

This Spring, FFA members have several events planned. During FFA week, they will be having dress up days at school and organizing some Ag Trivia activities. We will be attending the State Leadership Conference in April. In April and May we will be growing many flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse.

We plan to host a plant sale in early May. We will be hosting our annual Awards Banquet in April and our ISJS Swine Show in May. FFA members will then begin preparing for the Van Buren County Fair and Iowa State Fair.

We appreciate the time and support from many local supporters so that we can host and participate in so many great leadership opportunities for our students!

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