Eustis Farnam FFA Wins 3 State Championships

            Eustis Farnam FFA Chapter competed at the Nebraska State FFA Convention March 28-30th, 2012 in Lincoln. The chapter won State Championships in Agronomy Judging, Meats Judging, and Jr. High Agricultural Quiz Bowl, and also competed in Jr. Livestock Judging.

The Agronomy contest consists of identifying plants and seeds, both weeds and crops, by name and by life cycle; identifying insects by name, life cycle, and economic damage; identifying plant diseases and disorders by name and causal agent and damage to plant; the gen. knowledge soils exam; and identifying machinery by name. Individuals who competed for Eustis Farnam FFA were Clay Easterday, first place individual, Morgan Smith, 2nd Place individual, William Jack 21st, and Tyler Green, 25th place individual. This was Eustis Farnam’s 8th State Championship in Agronomy.  Morgan Smith, senior Eustis-Farnam FFA member, said, “It felt good to be champions, after last year’s heartbreak.”

The Meat’s judging contest retail meat identification; judging classes of beef, pork, and lamb, carcasses wholesale cuts and retail cuts; questions over judging classes; beef quality and yield grading; a lab practicum over pork marbling and color; and a general knowledge written exam.  Individuals who competed for Eustis Farnam FFA were Garhett Nielsen 1st Place individual, Jordan Bischoff-3rd Place individual, Jared Rupp-5th place individual, Aaron Hueftle-9th Place individual, and alternate Kevin Lemon.  This was Eustis Farnam’s 13th State Championship in Meat’s Judging.   “Great experience going down and competing our best and coming out with a State Championship is a big thing,” says Garhett Nielsen, Eustis-Farnam Sophomore.  He continued, “Placing all four of our individuals in the top ten is a great big deal.”

Junior Ag. Quiz Bowl is an event that tests Students knowledge in all aspects of Agriculture including Animal Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Turf Grass Management, Ag Business, and FFA. Eustis Farnam had 2 teams competing. The State Champion team members were Isaac Hueftle, Dannyl Bromander, Lane Baxter, and Mitch Head. The 2nd Eustis Farnam team didn’t place but competed very well. Those members were: Gage Bellamy, Jessica Deterding, and Matthew Blender.   “State was a good experience, I recommend everyone try FFA,” says Isaac Hueftle 8th Grade FFA member.  Hueftle also related, “The State Finals were nerve-wracking, because every question counted.”

The Eustis Farnam FFA Livestock Team members were Collin Thompson-Blue Ribbon, Katie Adkisson-Red Ribbon, Austin Boller-White Ribbon, Marcus Wilcox, and alternate Chris Werth. Livestock Judging is a contest where students are asked to look at 6 classes with 4 animals each. Students are asked to rank the animals based on their market or breeding characteristics. Students are also asked to evaluate 2 Keep-Cull classes of 8 animals each to determine the best 4 animals for breeding purposes. All of these can be beef cattle, swine, or sheep. There are also questions over 3 of the judging classes and a written exam asking students general knowledge and EPD specific questions.  Collin Thompson, a Freshmen in the Eustis-Farnam FFA, said, “State FFA was once again a very enjoyable trip.  Our Chapter had three State Champion teams.  The livestock judging team competed well with the large number of competitors. I am looking forward to next year.”

5 Eustis Farnam FFA Seniors received their State FFA Degree, which is the highest degree the State FFA can bestow on one of its members.  To earn the State FFA degree, a student must work in access of 1500 hours, or earn $3000 or productively invest $3000 as part of the Supervised Agriculture Experience (S.A.E) Program. Students also have to demonstrate 10 parliamentary procedures, complete 25 hours of community service, be involved in 10 or more school or community activities outside of FFA and take a FFA General knowledge exam. The 5 Seniors who earned this distinction were Jordan Adkisson, Joy Larsen, Tira Redenbaugh, Shane Robbins, and Morgan Smith.   “It was an honor to walk across the stage to get our State Degrees,” said Joy Larsen, Senior Eustis-Farnam FFA Chapter Secretary.

“I am very proud of how our students competed against excellent competition of 143 Chapters across the state.” says Chad Schimmels, Ag. Teacher of Eustis Farnam.  Schimmels continued, “It’s not really about 1 day, 1 competition, it’s about the months and years of showing up to practice early in the mornings and evenings. These students showed the kind of dedication to earn the title of State Champion. I would like to personally thank my deeply devoted and outstanding wife, Angie and Mr. Faron Klingelhoefer for helping to coach and sponsor the teams.”  Agronomy and Meats will compete at Nationals in late October.