(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – Kentucky FFA was well represented at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention, which was held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Indianapolis. More than 73,000 FFA members, advisors and guests attended the convention, which is the largest youth organization gathering in the United States.
Caroline Groth of Locust Trace AgriScience Center FFA (Fayette County) completed her service as the National FFA eastern region vice president for the National FFA Organization. Groth and her teammates led the general sessions of the convention following a year of service to members across the nation.
Ty Jones of Allen County-Scottsville High School was named the national winner in the Diversified Livestock Proficiency Contest. The award was based on a written application that detailed his work with livestock production throughout high school. He also completed an interview with a panel of judges representing industry and education. His parents are Bart and Sarah Jones and his advisors are Nikki Towe and Brandon Weaver.
Nathan Clark of Locust Trace AgriScience Center (Fayette County) was recognized as one of four finalists for the American Star Farmer award, while Braden Compton of Meade County High School was recognized as one of four finalists for the American Star in Placement award. The American Star awards are the highest awards given by the National FFA Organization and are based on a student’s work-based learning records throughout the course of their high school careers.
Addison Hillard of Locust Trace AgriScience Center (Fayette County) was selected as the Outstanding Chair in the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event. She is the first Kentucky FFA member to receive this honor.
Two Kentucky FFA members were selected as national proficiency award finalists in their respective areas, meaning they were in the top four nationally. The finalists were:
- Cyrus Bivens, LaRue County High School: Fiber and Oil Crop Production; and
- Madison Harrison, Todd County Central High School: Forest Management and Products.
Lincoln County High School FFA placed 9th in the Nursery Career Development Event. The team members were Ella Bratcher, Kaya Jones, Shelby Howard and Landon Whobrey. Jones received 6th place as an individual in the event.
Kentucky had a record number of finalists in the National Agriscience Fair. Students involved in the agriscience fair completed a research project based on a real problem in the agricultural industry. Kentucky students who placed included:
- Kennedy Brown and Isabell Lanham, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County), placed 3rd in Food Products and Processing Division 2;
- Klaire Ice and Jayden Blanford, Nelson County Schools, placed 4th in Animal Science Systems Division 4;
- Lexie Smallwood, Menifee County High School, placed 4th in Food Products and Processing Division 1;
- Sophie Franklin and Quinn Zinner, Bondurant Middle School (Franklin County), placed 5th in Animal Science Systems Division 2;
- Easton Curtsinger and Ethan Ward, Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County), placed 5th in Social Systems Division 2;
- Peyton Ervin and Nevaeha Ford, Nelson County Schools, placed 6th in Environmental Science Systems Division 6;
- Maycie Metcalf, Nelson County Schools, placed 7th in Animal Science Systems Division 3;
- Mallory Norman, Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County), placed 7th in Social Science Systems Division 1;
- Easton Brady, Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County), placed 7th in Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division 1;
- Brayden Downs, Nelson County Schools, placed 7th in Power, Structure and Technical Systems Division 5;
- Olivia Calvert, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County), placed 8th in Environmental Science Systems Division 1;
- Kayelee Frizzell and Peyton Wellner, Nelson County Schools, placed 8th in Food Products and Processing Systems Division 4;
- Ayla Tolentino, Bondurant Middle School (Franklin County), placed 8th in Plant Systems Division 1;
- Jonna Ford, Barren County High School, placed 8th in Social Science Systems Division 5;
- Camdon Boone and Ethan Reinle, Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County), placed 8th in Power Structure and Technical Systems Division 2;
- Colt Couch, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County), placed 10th in Animal Science Systems Division 1;
- Ashley McIntosh and Sadie Violette, Logan County High School, placed 10th in Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 4;
Trenton Page of Adair County High School represented Kentucky as a National FFA officer candidate. Page completed nearly a week-long interview and selection process for a chance to lead the national organization in the coming year.
Chance Blevins of Lynn Camp School (Knox County) represented Kentucky in the National FFA Chorus.
Shelby Hillebrandt of Carroll County, Zaden Housekeeper of Williamsburg Independent, Aden Hensley of George Rogers Clark High School (Clark County) and Katie Beth Skaggs of Locust Trace Agriscience Center (Fayette County) represented Kentucky in the National FFA Band.
The teams/individuals below competed in National Career Development and Leadership Development Events.
| CDE Area | Rating | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Communications | Silver | George Rogers Clark High School (Clark County) |
| Agricultural Issues | Silver | Locust Trace (Fayette County) |
| Agricultural Sales | Silver | Hopkins Central |
| Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems | Bronze | Jackson County |
| Agronomy | Silver | Rockcastle County |
| Conduct of Chapter Meetings | Silver | Western Hills (Franklin County) |
| Creed Speaking | Silver | Amelia Latondress, Meade County High School |
| Dairy Cattle Evaluation | Gold | Cumberland County |
| Employment Skills | Gold | Hunter Farmer, Taylor County High School |
| Environmental and Natural Resources | Silver | Greenwood High School (Warren County) |
| Extemporaneous Speaking | Silver | Carolina Rhea, Woodford County |
| Farm Business Management | Silver | Bethlehem High School |
| Floriculture | Spencer County | |
| Food Science & Technology | Silver | LaRue County |
| Forestry | Silver | McCreary Central |
| Horse Evaluation | Silver | George Rogers Clark High School (Clark County) |
| Livestock Evaluation | Silver | New Covenant Christian Academy |
| Marketing Plan | Silver | Menifee County |
| Meats Evaluation | Bronze | Bethlehem High School |
| Milk Quality and Products | Gold | LaRue County |
| Parliamentary Procedure | Gold | Locust Trace AgriScience Center (Fayette County) |
| Poultry | Silver | Clinton County |
| Prepared Public Speaking | Silver | Aiden Manley, Menifee County |
| Veterinary Science | Bronze | Warren East High School (Warren County) |
Evelyn Ojeda of Nicholas County was a semi-finalist in the Spanish Creed Speaking Invitational event. Fernando Ginez of Hopkinsville also participated in the event.
The American FFA Degree was awarded to 139 Kentucky FFA members. This honor is the highest award the organization can bestow on a member.
Eighteen Kentucky FFA chapters were recognized in the National Chapter Contest. Carlisle County, Grant County, Graves County, John Hardin, Lynn Camp, Madisonville North Hopkins, Menifee County, South Laurel and Taylor County were recognized as National Three Star Chapters. Clark County, Henderson County, Henry County, Jackson County, Jessamine County, LaRue County, McCracken County and Rockcastle County were recognized as National Two Star Chapters. Harrison County was recognized as a National One Star Chapter.
For a complete listing of National Convention winners, visit the National FFA website.
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