Buckeye FFA to Compete Nationally in October

Submitted by Katy Wright, written by Melissa Miles

Ethan Holt, Kori King, Mariah Kerr are three members from the Buckeye FFA chapter who will be receiving their American degree at the National FFA Convention this October. The American FFA Degree recognizes leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise and serve 50 community service hours. Recipients must also make it their mission to demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement. Each award recipient will receive a Gold American FFA Degree key, and a certificate in a blue leatherette frame. Holt, King and Kerr all completed four years in the agriculture program at Buckeye Union High School before graduating in May 2010. This outstanding trio joins only 41 other Buckeye FFA alumni in receiving this degree over the agriculture program’s 82 year history.

Another accomplishment from the Buckeye FFA Chapter is that both the State Champion Dairy Judging and Marketing teams will be competing at the national level in October at the same convention. Participants evaluate multiple classes of dairy cattle, give oral reasons for their selection, assess pedigrees and complete a complex linear evaluation on a class of cows. Desiree Dindal, Leah Edwards, Clint Hyde and Kristen Peterson are all members of the Buckeye FFA Dairy Evaluation team.

Samantha Balland, Karli Eaves, and Cassie Klenke have come very far after long nights in the computer lab tweaking and modifying their presentation for the national marketing plan competition. Prior to attending the national event, teams research and develop a marketing plan for an agricultural product, supply or service. The team then presents their solutions for a marketing problem to a panel of public relations advertising and marking professionals. The FFA members are evaluated on the various parts of the marketing plan, including market analysis, business proposition, action plan, budget management, evaluation and the effectiveness of their presentation.

Joining the American Degree recipients and both State Champion teams are 17 other excited students and two parents. While at the National FFA Convention all Buckeye FFA members will be participating in a career fair with over 2,000 agribusinesses and colleges in attendance, attending leadership workshops and joining other FFA members on career success tours to a miniature donkey farm and an orchid farm.