Mid-Prairie FFA attends state convention

WELLMAN — Twenty members of the Mid-Prairie FFA chapter traveled to Ames for the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference April 13-15. Those attending from Mid-Prairie were Tate Bombei, Ellie Callahan, Quinn Callahan, Brock Fisher, Peighton Ford, Callie Huber, Dylan Humphrey, Adelyn Huston, Caedyn Huston, Averi Janecek, Sydney Knebel, Brynn Northup, Bowen Pennington, Kennah Robertson, Cuyler Rourke, Charlotte Sieren, Madelyn Sieren, Allie Whetstine, Jason Yoder and Brynn Younge.

Five members participated in leadership development events (LDEs). Madelyn Sieren & Allie Whetstine received a silver for the Secretary's Book. Ellie Callahan & Brynn Northup received a silver for the Reporter’s Scrapbook. Charlotte Sieren received a bronze rating in Extemporaneous Speaking.

Quinn Callahan, Brock Fisher, Brynn Northup and Brynn Younge competed in the Ag Sales Skills CDE (Career Development Event) and received gold rating and 7th place by selling a snowblower attachment for a skid loader. There were 71 teams and 281 FFA members who competed in this competition. Quinn Callahan placed 13th as an individual.

The Agricultural Biotechnology team of Sydney Knebel, Caedyn Huston, Charlotte Sieren and Allie Whetstine received 5th place with a gold rating. Charlotte Sieren received 9th place as an individual. There were 61 teams and 237 FFA members who competed in this competition. The team worked to complete a practicum on how to breed for heat tolerant cattle allowing them to stay cool in the hot weather.

The Poultry judging team of Averi Janecek, Kennah Roberston and Cuyler Rourke received a gold rating placing 17th. They identified retail poultry identification, graded the exteriors of eggs, practiced grading poultry carcasses and handling of birds for judging.

The Chapter Display showcasing the chapter's involvement in the 2nd Grade Ag Day received a gold rating. They highlighted the agricultural information stations which the Mid-Prairie FFA members presented in conjunction with the Washington County Ag in the Classroom coordinator and Iowa Corn. Jason Yoder and Bowen Pennington put together the display. Madelyn Sieren took the Chapter Test about FFA knowledge and received a gold rating.

Peighton Ford competed in the State FFA Talent competition. She received 4th place and performed again during the 3rd Convention Session. Tate Bombei was a part of the Auditing Committee which discussed the financial state of the Iowa FFA Association. He was able to give his opinions on changes which need to be made to these areas. Quinn Callahan served as a member of the State FFA Nominating Committee who were tasked with conducting the State FFA Officer interviews last week in Ankeny at the FFA Enrichment Center.

Nine members of the Mid-Prairie FFA chapter received their Iowa FFA Degrees. This is the highest degree the state can award. The members receiving their degrees were: Tate Bombei, Ellie Callahan, Brock Fisher, Callie Huber, Dylan Humphrey, Brynn Northup, Cuyler Rourke, Madelyn Sieren, and Allie Whetstine.

Ellie Callahan and Dylan Humphrey represented the Mid-Prairie FFA chapter by serving as the chapter's delegates and voting for the new state officer team based on the candidate’s speeches.

Adelyn Huston served as a Courtesy Corp member as a part of her duties as a District FFA Officer. Jason Yoder represented the Mid-Prairie FFA in the presentation of FFA flags during the 3rd Session of the Iowa FFA Association State Leadership Conference.

Additional time was spent at the career show and convention sessions. The sessions the Mid-Prairie members attended highlighted the achievements of Iowa FFA members throughout the past year and they had a chance to listen to inspirational speakers and presentations. Members were chaperoned by Mid-Prairie FFA Advisor Elsa Schmidt.