Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management team named National Champions at FFA Convention

​National Championship was one of three top honors the chapter earned at the National FFA Convention held Oct. 27 – 30 in Indianapolis

Welcome home! A caravan of Montezuma Fire and Ambulance vehicles escort the Montezuma FFA teams into town on Friday, Oct. 29 as they return home from the National FFA Convention.

By J.O. Parker
 
    The Montezuma FFA Chapter enjoyed a successful week at the 2021 National FFA Convention, bringing home a National Championship in Farm and Agribusiness Management and fourth and sixth place finishes by the Agricultural Communications and Floriculture teams, respectively.
        The National FFA Convention was held Oct. 27 – 30 in Indianapolis.
The Farm and Agribusiness Management team is comprised of Brayden Stockman, Haylie Moore, Jaemi Hartman, Mathew Ranfeld and Sawyer Tindle.
     Stockman, Moore and Ranfeld finished one, two and three in the nation and Hartman finished in ninth place at the competition. Tindle was an alternate on the team and did not compete. The team’s success earned them a gold emblem rating.
       The National FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section.
      The Montezuma FFA Agricultural Communications CDE team brought home a fourth place finish. The team consists of Abby Pope, Kallie Robison, Mia Boulton and Madison Johannes. Alternates are Abby Cheney, Owen Cook, and Maguire DeJong, all of who did not compete. 
     Boulton was the top placing individual in the competition and Johannes wrapped up the event with a ninth place individual honor. The team also won first in their practicums (opinion writing and journalistic writing) at the convention. The team earned a gold emblem rating.
    The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive event that tests students' skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal. Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.
     The Montezuma FFA Floriculture team earned a sixth place finish at the national convention. Team members are Camryn Brennan, Alivia Cline, Makenna Johannes, and Madison VanZee. The team earned a gold emblem rating at the convention.
    In the National FFA Floriculture CDE, FFA members test their knowledge and skills in the production and retailing of flowers, plants and foliage. Participants must complete a general knowledge exam on the floriculture industry, identify plant materials, demonstrate problem solving and decision-making skills, employment and customer service skills, technical floral skills and the ability to work as a team.
     “We’d like to thank our FFA advisors Mr. Rick Swenson and Ms. Hannah Garland for all of the hard work it took to prepare these members for nationals this year,” noted a chapter spokesperson. “We also appreciate Mrs. Molly Swenson for being the best chaperone.”

​Members of the Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness  Management team were named national champions at the 2021 National FFA Convention last week. Team members are, from left, Haylie Moore, Brayden Stockman, Jaemi Hartman and Mathew Ranfeld. Not pictured is alternate Sawyer Tindle. Stockman, Moore and Ranfeld finished one, two and three in the nation and Hartman finished in ninth place at the competition.

​Members of the Montezuma FFA Agricultural Communications team placed fourth at the 2021 National FFA Convention last week. Team members are, from left, Kallie Robison, Madison Johannes, Mia Boulton and Abby Pope. Not pictured are alternates Abby Cheney, Owen Cook, and Maguire DeJong. The team also won first in their practicums (opinion writing and journalistic writing).

​Members of the Montezuma FFA Floriculture team placed sixth at the 2021 National FFA Convention last week. Team members are, from left, Madison VanZee, Alivia Cline, Camryn Brennan and Makenna Johannes. Also pictured is Montezuma FFA Advisor Hannah Garland.