FFA members across Iowa celebrated success when they gathered for the 95th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 16-18 at Iowa State University’s Hilton Coliseum in Ames. 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. Chapter delegates and Iowa FFA officers also conducted the annual business session to make decisions for the student-run Iowa FFA Association. Students also engaged in a service project with Meals from the Heartland.
Fourteen members of the Greene County FFA chapter attended the conference along with their agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor, Ms. Raelyn Harris. Misty Bettey, assistant FFA advisor, Johanna Kunert, current student teacher, and Emily Van Egmond, high school teacher, were also in attendance.
Greene County FFA had many successes while at the conference. Members Emma Stream, Grace Curtis, Daniele Madsen and Elise Badger were named the fourth place, gold rating team in the annual Iowa FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE).
FFA members from 16 chapters participated in this year’s career development event. The event provided students the opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of agricultural communications. The 64 individuals who participated in the event completed several activities including demonstration of skills and problem solving in web design, video production, journalistic writing, and opinion writing, as well as presenting a team media plan.
Kaitlin Fields, Trey Schilling, Cody Stephenson, and Leah McCormick earned sixth place, gold rating in the annual Iowa FFA Biotechnology CDE. FFA teams from 58 chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of biotechnology. The 225 individuals who participated in the event completed several activities including a general knowledge exam and an identification activity. The team members also collaborated in a team activity relating to biotechnology principles.
Additional achievements include Rozella Helms earning a silver rating and Kaitlyn Halterman a bronze rating during the Greenhand quiz. Nathan Towers, Carter Fecher, Pane Renwanz, and Cole Mason were rated a silver for their chapter display about the 9th grade Farm Safety Day event the chapter held last fall. Breanna Pope, Emmalin Wright, Chloe Julick, and Hanna Fouch attended the middle school workshop event. Kaitlin Fields represented the chapter in massing of the flags. Grace Curtis and Leah McCormick acted as chapter delegates.
The Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference is presented with support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.
