Each year FFA members from across the nation converge in Indianapolis, Indiana for the National FFA Convention. Last week over 73,000 FFA members gathered to compete in Career Development Events, Sessions, and National Leadership Workshops. This year, 16 Walkersville members represented our chapter, and 8 members represented Maryland to compete in National Career Development Events.
Team Events
Two teams competed in Career Development Events (CDE’s). To compete in a national CDE, the teams must first win the state event. These events were held last April at the Maryland FFA State Contests held at Carroll County CTC.
Agronomy – Agronomy teams develop an oral presentation and written plan that addresses a scenario of an agronomic situation. Individual sections test knowledge in evaluating crop quality and identify various weeds, crop plants, seeds and soils, insects, plant diseases, and nutrient deficiencies/disorders.
Trajan Urban received Silver Award, Isabella Fisher, Natalie Keiser and Emylee Sheets received Bronze Awards. They received Bronze as a team. In addition, Trajan Urban qualified as a CCA (Certified Crop Adviser) certified apprentice. The team was coached by Greg Stull.
Nursery/Landscape – The nursery/landscape event covers all aspects of the nursery and landscape field, including the production, marketing, utilization, and maintenance of landscape plants, as well as related products, equipment, and services. Participants gain skills in nursery/landscape principles, plant material identification, plant disorders, cultural practices, design and construction, supplies and equipment, safety, interpersonal relations, business management, and record-keeping. The event
includes team interactive events and individual activities that test knowledge through examinations, plant identification, landscape estimating, customer assistance, and nursery propagation or potting. These activities are designed to evaluate participants’ abilities in applying their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, fostering both practical and business acumen in the nursery and landscape industry. Cash Richie received a Silver Award, Gina Florimbio, Hayden Tennant, and Brianna Trinquero received Bronze Awards. The team placed Bronze. The team was coached by Greg Stull.
Chapter Delegates – The following students represented the Walkersville FFA Chapter as delegates at Convention Sessions and Student Leadership Workshops. Tommy Beard, Caroline Boydston, Liliana Crum, Alexi Jones, Shayla Leatherman, Lena Miletic, Taylor Simpson, & Kaylin Waltz.
National Chapter Award – The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards (NQCS) and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. Walkersville was recognized as a 1 – Star National Chapter.
#SpeakAgStateShowcase – FFA Chapters were invited to celebrate their State through #SpeakAg Showcase by telling their state’s story through the #SpeakAg Showcase program. #SpeakAg Showcase allows FFA members to tell their states’ agriculture story to a broader audience in a 3-minute video.
Walkersville was one of 36 out of 9407 FFA Chapters across the country to submit a video. Cloe Carter designed and created our video.
See full release with more images at this link: Indy 25 press release
