The Virginia FFA held the 97th Virginia FFA State Convention June 20th - 23rd at the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The chapter received multiple recognition awards. The chapter was rated Gold Level for Public Relations, Silver Rated National Chapter Award, and 100% Membership.
Anna Davis, Piper Scialdo, and Devin King represented the chapter as delegates during the work sessions at the convention. These delegates helped Virginia FFA plan activities and vote on motions brought before the delegates.
Sarah Bryant, Anna Davis, Alexandra Morris, and Piper Scialdo competed in the Junior Division of the Horse Hippology Contest. They placed 10th as a team. The Senior Horse Hippology team placed 13th overall, and members consisted of Addelynne Baugher, Jenna Oliver, Amiah Porter, and Emma Staton. Contestants had to complete a written test about equipment, information about breeds, and the anatomy/physiology of a horse. They also had to identify equipment used in the equine industry and judge classes of horses.
Buckingham also competed in the Turf Grass Management Contest. Team members included Camden Allen, Eli Bryant, Dawson Edwards, and Holden Tyson. Devin King also competed in this event as an individual. Members had to complete a written test on the turfgrass industry. They also had to identify various grasses, weeds, and equipment. The team placed 4th overall.
Ben Gilliam, Noah Jones, Jordan Lane, and Kayne Wooten competed in the Nursery/Landscape Contest. Their contest included identifying plants, insects, and tools, a written exam, and a landscaping design estimate. They placed 5th as a team.
The Agronomy Team comprised Courtney Agee, Jordan Dorrier, Daniel Farrish, and Grace Martin. The agronomy team members had to judge crops and hay classes and identify weeds and seeds. The team placed 7th overall.
Abigail Palmore competed in the Employment Skills Contest. This contest prepares students for a job interview. Before the convention, she designed a cover letter, job application, and resume. During the convention, she interviewed before a panel of judges and prepared a follow-up letter. She placed 18th overall.
Three chapter members received their State FFA Degree on Thursday, June 22nd. The State FFA Degree is the 4th highest of the five degrees a FFA member may earn. Among other qualifications, members that receive the State FFA Degree must have a successful S A.E., be a member of the FFA for the past 24 months, and complete at least 360 hours of agricultural education. The members who received their State FFA degrees are Eli Bryant, Daniel Farrish, and Jenna Oliver.
The chapter would like to say “thank you” to the Buckingham County Farm Bureau Board of Directors for sponsoring all agriculture students’ FFA membership.
Turf Grass Management (l to r) Dawson Edwards, Camden Allen, Eli Bryant, Holden Tyson, Devin King
Nursery/Landscape (l to r) Jordan Lane, Ben Gilliam, Noah Jones, Kayne Wooten
Jr. Horse Hippology (l to r) Sarah Bryant, Anna Snoddy, Piper Scialdo, Alexandra Morris
Sr. Horse Hippology (l to r) Addelynne Baugher, Amiah Porter, Jenna Oliver, Emma Staton
Agronomy (l to r) Grace Martin, Courtney Agee, Jordan Dorrier, Daniel Farrish
Delegate: Devin King