Grinnell FFA earns several top honors at the state convention

​      The Grinnell FFA Chapter Ag Issues team earned third-place honors and a gold rating at the 94th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 11-12, at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Nina Walton. Nick Brennecke, Gabe Gilman, Aleah Delk, Hayden Eaton, Nicolle Donnelly and Sadi Flanagan.

By J.O. Parker
 
      The Grinnell FFA Chapter wrapped up the 94th State Leadership Conference, held April 11-12, at Iowa State University in Ames with several top honors.
     Grinnell FFA’s Ag Issues and Perceptions team brought home third-place honors and a gold rating at this year’s state conference. Team members include Aleah Delk, Gabe Gilman, Nicholas Brennecke, Nina Walton, Hayden Eaton, Nicolle Donnelly and Sadi Flanagan. 
     Ag Issues and Perceptions is a team event that requires chapters to have a firm understanding of how issues in agriculture develop. Participants were challenged to develop a portfolio and deliver a presentation that stressed both the pros and cons the issue. Verbal skills and presentation abilities were used to defend their issue through a series of questions.
      The Grinnell FFA Ag Sales team brought home an eighth-place finish and gold rating. Grinnell was among 79 FFA chapters who 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 312 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.
      Team members included Wyatt Eaton, Andrew Peterson, Oliver Louden and Sophia Louden. Oliver was 12th individual overall in the competition.
      Lexi Kephart competed in the public speaking event, bringing home an eighth-place finish and silver rating at this year’s state convention.
     This event is designed to develop rural and agricultural leadership, to provide for member participation in agricultural public speaking activities and to stimulate interest along such lines. The prepared public speaking event requires participants to write and deliver a six-to-eight minute speech in front of a panel of judges. Scoring is based on the written manuscript, the delivery of the speech and the answers to questions.
Ambassador Award
     The Grinnell FFA program was recognized with the Ambassador Award. The award recognizes FFA chapters for their assistance in promoting FFA and support of FFA through the Foundation. 
    Throughout the year, chapters earn points in four specific categories – number of hours volunteering to support Iowa FFA and the Iowa FFA Foundation (50 points for each hour the chapter volunteers), amount of sales of Iowa FFA Foundation limited edition items (one point for each dollar of items sold), any donations and in-kind contributions made to support FFA through the Iowa FFA Foundation (one point for each dollar/value donated) and finally any donations from individuals in their community who have designated the chapter as their points recipient (one point for each dollar donated).
     “Once all of these areas are calculated, they are combined to be awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold or $1,000+ level,” noted Josh Remington, Executive Director, Iowa FFA Foundation. “In addition, one winner is announced from each of Iowa FFA’s six districts – from these six district winners, the overall state winner is awarded, and the 2022 state winner is the Grinnell FFA Chapter.”
Other honors
    Two Grinnell FFA members served as voting delegates at this year’s state convention. Lexi Spooner, secretary and Ireland Sebetka, historian, had an opportunity to vote on next year’s state FFA Officers.
“They listen to the candidates give a speech and then vote,” said Grinnell FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. 
Wolfe said each FFA chapter in attendance has two delegates who vote.

       Lexi Kephart captured an eighth-place finish and gold rating at the 94th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 11-12, at Iowa State University in Ames. She is joined by Grinnell FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe.

​      The Grinnell FFA Ag Sales team brought home an eight-place finish and gold rating at the 94th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 11-12, at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Oliver Louden, Sophia Louden, Andrew Peterson and Wyatt Eaton. Oliver finished the competition in 12th individual overall.