By: Chapter Reporter, Brooke Arneson
Austin Uecker is in 10th grade and has been in FFA for 4 years. He joined FFA because many of his peers also joined. Austin is on the Nursery and Landscape CDE (Career Development Event) team. He enjoys his CDE because it is fun and challenging. His favorite FFA activity is participating in all of the lock-ins. Austin is most looking forward to going to state for Nursery and Landscape. From being in FFA, he has learned many different types of plants and trees. Austin is most proud of earning 10th place individual and being on the winning team at the region contest and this Member of the Month Award.
Sophie Kyllonen is in 12th grade and has been in FFA for 4 years. She joined FFA to build relationships and to grow in the dairy industry. Sophie does not have a CDE team this year but in the past she did Dairy Judging. She enjoyed her CDE because she loved learning in depth about the anatomy of the cow and what to look for in a well-structured animal. For Sophie’s SAE, she works at two dairy farms with varying tasks, including scraping, feeding, and milking calves. Her favorite FFA activity is the animal carnival. Sophie is most looking forward to state convention to receive her state star finalist award and to meet the other three finalists. From being in FFA, Sophie has learned how to understand her SAE and has expanded her knowledge about animals. The awards that she is most proud of receiving include the Region Star Award in Ag. Production Placement and State Star Finalist.
Alex Confer is in 8th grade and has been in FFA for 2 years. She joined FFA because she enjoys all the fun activities that it has to offer. Alex is on the Meats CDE team. She likes being on the Meats CDE team because of the fun van rides and the time she gets to spend with her friends after competitions. Alex’s favorite FFA activity is doing the Adopt-A-Senior cards. She is looking forward to participating in state convention this year. From being in an Ag. class, Alex has learned how to use woodshop tools. She is most proud of earning 3rd place in the crop show and her many ribbons.
Adam Johnson is in 11th grade and has been in FFA for 5 years. He decided to join FFA in seventh grade because it sounded cool and he thought the meetings after school were fun. Adam has been serving as the 2nd Vice President for our FFA Officer Team. As the 2nd Vice President, he enjoys organizing and preparing for the animal carnival and the crop show. Adam is on the Poultry CDE Team. He likes his Poultry CDE team because it helps him understand more about his chickens. For Adam’s SAE, he raises 60 chickens each year in portable open bottom chicken coops called chicken tractors. This allows them to forage for grass and grubs, and he doesn’t have to clean up litter. Adam’s favorite FFA activity is participating in all of the lock-ins. He is most looking forward to Timberland Camp in the upcoming summer. From being in an Ag. class and FFA, Adam has learned that there are many different careers in agriculture. He is most proud of earning the Sophomore Achievement Award and getting first place in the regional poultry competition.