Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management team named National Champions for a second straight year

     Members of the Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management team were named national champions at the 2022 National FFA Convention last month in Indianapolis. Team members are, from left, Maguire DeJong, Mia Boulton, Madison Johannes and Colton Benson. Benson, Johannes, Boulton and DeJong finished first, fourth, eighth and 12th place respectively. The team’s success earned them a gold emblem rating. This is the second year that the Montezuma FFA Chapter has been named national champions in the farm and Agribusiness Management CDE. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker
 
      The Montezuma FFA Chapter brought home a national championship and overall first place individual for a second straight year in the Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) at the 2022 National FFA Convention.
     Also earning top honors was the Montezuma FFA Marketing Plan Team who brought home a fourth place national finish and the Ag Communications Team who wrapped up the national convention with a sixth place finish.
      The National FFA Convention was held Oct. 26 – 29 in Indianapolis.
The Farm and Agribusiness Management team is comprised of Colton Benson, Maguire DeJong, Madison Johannes and Mia Boulton.
     Benson, Johannes, Boulton and DeJong finished first, fourth, eighth and 12th place respectively. 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 Marketing Plan Team brought home a fourth place finish, the best in school and chapter history, at the national convention. The team is comprised of Owen Cook, Abby Pope and Kallie Robison. Bryson Stockman was an alternate on the team. The team’s success earned them a gold emblem rating.
     Members of the marketing team were asked to develop marketing skills through the development and presentation of a plan that promotes a current or proposed product, supply or service. The Montezuma team’s project focused on FFA Advisor Rick Swenson’s show pig business, Hilltop Farms.
     The Montezuma FFA Agricultural Communications CDE team brought home a sixth place finish at nationals. The team consists of Camryn Brennan, Alivia Cline, Makenna Johannes and Madison Van Zee.
       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.
       “These kids dedicated a lot of time and effort to their competitions over the summer and their hard work paid off. I am extremely proud of what they were able to accomplish last week at Nationals,” said Montezuma FFA Advisor Hannah Garland.

​      Members of the Montezuma FFA Marketing Plan Team placed fourth at the 2022 National FFA Convention last month in Indianapolis. Team members are, from left, Kallie Robison, Owen Cook, Bryson Stockman, an alternate on the team; and Abby Pope. Members of the marketing team were asked to develop marketing skills through the development and presentation of a plan that promotes a current or proposed product, supply or service. The Montezuma team’s project focused on FFA Advisor Rick Swenson’s show pig business, Hilltop Farms. Submitted photo.

      Members of the Montezuma FFA Agricultural Communications team placed sixth at the 2022 National FFA Convention last month in Indianapolis. Team members are, from left, Makenna Johannes, Alivia Cline, Madison Van Zee and Camryn Brennan. 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. Submitted photo.