Washington Evening Journal
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Grinnell FFA team takes top state honors
By J.O. Parker, Poweshiek County Chronicle Republican
Apr. 22, 2025 10:02 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
AMES — The Grinnell FFA Chapter wrapped up the 97th State Leadership Conference held April 14 — 15 at Iowa State University in Ames with several top honors.
Grinnell FFA’s Ag Biotechnology Career Development Event Team of Alyssa Peterson, Lauren Louden, and Maggie Dayton earned a gold rating and was named the championship team.
Maggie Dayton and Alyssa Peterson finished one and two in the state and Lauren Louden finished in sixth place. Their adviser is Ashley Wolfe.
FFA teams from 61 chapters participated in this year's CDE designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Biotechnology.
The 237 individuals who participated in the event completed several activities including a general knowledge exam and an identification activity. The team members also collaborated in a team activity relating to biotechnology principles.
Poultry Evaluation Team
Grinnell FFA’s Poultry Evaluation Team brought home a gold rating and fifth place at this year’s FFA State Leadership Conference. Team members are Abagail Hatcher, Carter Hansen, Tristan Graff and Kolton Kline
The FFA Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event provides an opportunity for FFA members to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Poultry Evaluation.
Activities included placing classes of live poultry; placing and grading classes of ready-to-cook poultry; grading classes of egg interiors and exteriors; identifying and grading further process poultry products, and a poultry production examination.
There were 489 members participating from 130 chapters.
Ag Sales Team
The Grinnell FFA Ag Sales Team of Owen Kaltsas, Easton Edelen, Drew Hart and Aden Wolfe earned a gold rating and fifth place at this year’s FFA State Leadership Conference.
FFA teams from 71 chapters participated in this year's CDE designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agriculture Sales.
The 281 individuals who participated in the event each completed an objective test, made a sales presentation, and performed a customer relations practicum. All team members worked together to prepare a marketing plan and make an oral presentation of the plan to the judges.
Other honors
The Conduct of Meetings and Chapter Website Leadership Development Event teams brought home silver honors at this year’s FFA State Leadership Conference event.
Grinnell FFA’s Ag Biotechnology CDE Team has qualified for the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo from Oct. 29 — Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.