Kentucky FFA Members Excel at National FFA Convention

Kentucky FFA was well represented at the 91^st Annual National FFA Convention, which was held October 24-27 in Indianapolis. An all-time record of 69,944 FFA members, advisors, and guests attended the Convention, which is the largest youth organization gathering in the United States.

Gracie Furnish of Harrison County FFA concluded her year of service as the National Eastern Region Vice President of FFA. Along with her team mates, Furnish traveled tens of thousands of miles on behalf of the National FFA Organization. She plans to return to her studies at the University of Kentucky in January.

Spencer County FFA won the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event. Members of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation team included Amelia Floyd, Sydney Warren, Evan Stilts, and Noah Dunning. Amelia Floyd was the national high individual, Sydney Warren was the third high individual, and Evan Stilts was the fourth high individual. Noah Dunning received a national gold rating. FFA Advisor Bland Baird served as coach of the Dairy Evaluation team. This is the ninth time since 2006 that Spencer County has won the national Dairy Evaluation CDE.

North Laurel FFA won the Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event. This is the first time in history that a Kentucky team has won this event. Team members included Tyler Purvis, Lennox Brinks, Katie Fortney, and Alaniey Robinson. Lennox Brinks was the national high individual in the event and all other team members received a gold rating. FFA advisor Dustin Estridge served as coach of the Environmental and Natural Resources CDE team.

Jonah Brannon of Calloway County was named the national winner in the Agricultural Services Proficiency contest. Jonah’s award was based on his work to develop his business Brannon Plot Service. He has worked with several agricultural supply companies and the Cooperative Extension Service to grow test plots of various seed varieties. He is the son of Tony and Lisa Brannon. His advisors are Jacob Falwell and Bill Sampson.

Brent Moore of Garrard County FFA was named the national winner in the Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship proficiency contest. Brent built a successful business repairing and replacing farm tires for a number of local clients. He is the son of Walter and Elizabeth Moore. His advisors are Aaron McDonald and Christen Roseberry.

Jessamine County placed third in the Agricultural Issues Forum Leadership Development Event. Team members were Ashley Smith, Kyley Shinall, Addison White, Jessica Doolin, Haley Searcy, and Kiersten Hoskins.

Spencer County FFA placed third in the Farm Business Management Career Development Event. Team members were Samuel Cooper, Tyler Moehrke, Kelly Baird, and Joshua Dunkelberger. All four team members received a gold rating.

Spencer County FFA placed third in the Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event. Team members were Mason Moore, Jason Combs, Josie Kurtz, and Logan Peters. Jason Combs was the fourth high individual in the event and all other team members received a gold rating.

Logan Bechanan of Nicholas County placed fourth in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event. This is the highest placing in Extemporaneous Speaking for a Kentucky FFA member in recent memory.

Boyle County FFA placed sixth in the Agronomy Career Development Event. Team members were Megan Johnston, Elijah Lucas, Kaylee Gilpin, and Madison Warren. Megan Johnston was the third high individual in the event and all other team members received a gold rating.

Boyle County FFA placed ninth in the Horse Evaluation Career Development Event. Team members were Madison Noel, Taylor Sharp, Caitlin Kreider, and Katie Sparks.

Conner Richardson of Campbell County represented Kentucky as a National FFA Officer Candidate.

Two Kentucky FFA members were selected as national proficiency award finalists in their respective areas meaning they were in the top four nationally. They were:

           Tricia Childress- Hart County- Home and Community Development

Joza Mikulcik- Calloway County- Nursery Operation

Proficiency awards are based on a written application detailing the student’s accomplishments and learning related to his or her Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. National Finalists complete an in depth interview with industry leaders as part of the selection process.

Other teams/individuals competing in National Career Development Events included:

Twenty seven Kentucky FFA members placed in the top twelve in the FFA Agriscience Fair. They were:

Haley Polley- Mason County- Animal Systems Division I

Elizabeth Toohey & Thomas Greenlee- Bourbon County- Animal Systems Division II

Madeline Sparks- Harrison County- Animal Systems Division V

Spencer Campbell & Brayden Cantrell- Simons Middle School- Environmental Systems Division II

Megan Johnston- Boyle County- Environmental Systems Division III

Brianna Hutchinson & Kamilya Applegate- Nicholas County- Environmental Systems Division IV

Rachel Taylor- Logan County- Food Products and Processing Division V

Hannah Perkins & Grace Richardson- Harrison County- Food Products and Processing Division VI

Benjamin Speakman- Mason County- Plant Systems Division I

McKayla Emmons & Haley Hickerson- Simons Middle School- Plant Systems Division II

Eryn Kennan- Locust Trace- Plant Systems Division III

Sophie McKenny & Audrey Perkins- Williamstown- Plant Systems Division IV

Jackson Hickerson & Owen Manning- Simons Middle School- Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division II

Jacob Arnett & Will Arnett- Montgomery County- Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division IV

Rachel Blevins- Montgomery County- Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division V

Joshua Corey & Justin Arnett- Montgomery County- Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division VI

Emma Gorman & Casey Hickerson- Simons Middle School- Social Systems Division II

Amber Dotson- Montgomery County- Social Systems Division V

The American FFA Degree was awarded to 144 Kentucky FFA members. This honor is the highest award the organization can bestow on a member.

Fifteen Kentucky FFA chapters were recognized in the National Chapter Contest. Bourbon County, Boyle County, Jessamine County, LaRue County, Locust Trace, Madisonville North Hopkins, Spencer County, and Taylor County were recognized as National Three Star Chapters. Caldwell County, Graves County, Harrison County, Henry County, Marion County, Scott County, and Western Hills were recognized as National Two Star Chapters.

Hannah Carroll of Hickman County and Olivia Moore of Western Hills represented Kentucky in the National FFA Chorus.

Jerrett Davis of Ohio County, Cassidy Napier of Jessamine County, Wayd Wood of McCracken County, and Wyatt Wood of McCracken County represented Kentucky in the National FFA Talent. Wyatt Wood and Wayd Wood advanced to the top 15 in the nation in the Talent Contest.

North Hardin FFA represented Kentucky in the National Hall of States.

Four Kentuckians received the Honorary American FFA Degree. They were: Leeann G. Daugherty- Butler County High School; Kelvin Howard- Graves County High School; Dr. Rebekah Epps- University of Kentucky; Matthew H. London- past Chair of Kentucky FFA Foundation.

For a complete listing of National Convention winners, visit https://www.ffa.org/event-results/

For more Information Contact:

Matt Chaliff, Executive Secretary

matt.chaliff@education.ky.gov

502-564-3472