Grinnell FFA Ag Biotechnology CDE Team takes top state honors

​       The Grinnell FFA Biotechnology Team earned a gold rating and top state honors at the 97th State Leadership Conference held April 14 - 15 at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Alyssa Peterson, Lauren Louden, Maggie Dayton and FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. The team has qualified for Nationals slated for Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.

​By J.O. Parker
 
      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 CDE (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 advisor 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 honors at this year’s FFA State Leadership Conference. Team members include Abagail Hatcher, Carter Hansen, Tristan Graff and Kolton Kline
      The FFA Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) 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 honors 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 LDE (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 & Expo from Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Indianapolis.

       Members of the Grinnell FFA Poultry Evaluation Team wrapped up the state leadership Conference with a fifth place finish and gold rating. Team members are, from left: Abagail Hatcher, Carter Hansen, Tristan Graff and Kolton Kline.

​        Members of the Grinnell FFA Ag Sales Team finished in fifth place and earned a gold rating at the 97th State Leadership Conference held April 14 - 15 at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Owen Kaltsas, Easton Edelen, Drew Hart and Aden Wolfe.