Members of the Greene County FFA chapter were among members from across Iowa who celebrated successes when they gathered for the 94th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference April 10-12 at Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum. The Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference is one the largest of its kind in the National FFA Organization.
The annual conference provides agricultural education students the opportunity to participate in Leadership and Career Development Event competitions, be recognized for accomplishments in events during the past year, become inspired by motivational speakers, interact with college and business professionals, and develop leadership skills.
All Greene County FFA members actively participated in an activity or contest while at the conference. Grace Curtis and Emma Halterman served as chapter delegates and attended the annual business sessions conducted by Iowa FFA officers to make decisions for the student-run Iowa FFA Association.
Members also engaged in a service project with Meals from the Heartland and an evening social equipped with line dancing and bowling with chapters from around the state. Several members attended specialized tours and hands-on activities on campus and teaching farms which highlight Iowa State University from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) ambassadors. Activities included discovering the chemistry behind food colors, creative-thinking skills to become an innovator or entrepreneur in the Agriculture and Life Sciences program, and advocating for agriculture as well as tours of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Equine Teaching Farm.
Other activities and contest results are as follows:
- Madison Grow – Massing of the Flags Participant
- Shai Woodley – State Band Participant
- Madison Grow – Chapter Exhibit – Gold Rating
- Mallory Prescott, Mame Ngom, Rym Gherairi, and Emma Stream – Ag Communications – Bronze Rating
- Trey Schilling, Jackson Turner, Gavin Scheuermann, and Cody Stephenson – Team Ag Sales – Bronze Rating
- Katlin Fields, Emma Halterman, Carmyn Paup, and Grace Curtis – Farm Business Management – Silver Rating
- Madison Higgins, Cole Mason, and Adam Hooper – Poultry Evaluation – Bronze Rating
- Allison Fields and Kayla Frederick – Greenhand Quiz – Both receiving a Bronze Rating.
Additionally at convention, FFA members heard from several guests. Keynote Eric Hanson, former Iowa FFA member, KCCI reporter, and motivational speaker; and National FFA president Cole Baerlocher addressed the conference. State officers from 11 other states also were in attendance presenting various workshops and interacting with FFA members from Iowa.
At the final general session Greene County FFA member Madison Grow received her State FFA Degree. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be bestowed upon an FFA member by the Iowa FFA Association each year. Only 5 percent of FFA members in Iowa receive the degree each year. Each Iowa FFA Degree recipient receives a certificate and the golden State FFA Degree charm.
To receive the Iowa FFA Degree, FFA members must meet the following standards: 1) have been an active FFA member for at least 24 months; 2) have completed at least two years of systematic instruction in agricultural education; 3) have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 or worked at least 375 hours in a supervised agricultural experience program; 4) have a satisfactory scholastic record; 5) have demonstrated leadership abilities from a specific list of activities; 6) have completed 25 hours of community service; and 7) have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the local level.
Greene County FFA advisor is Raelyn Harris.
Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference is presented with support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation. State FFA Degree charm is made possible with support from Pioneer-Cortiva Agriscience through the Iowa FFA Foundation
