Edmunds Central FFA members attend State Convention

The Edmunds Central FFA Chapter traveled to Brookings for the 96th State FFA Convention April 18-20.

ECFFA had two individuals competing in contests, Kelsey Lehr and Eden Weiland. Grant Fischer was a state degree recipient and two delegates represented the chapter at the business meeting, Theo Haerter and Anthony Miller.

The State FFA Degree is the highest degree of membership conferred by the South Dakota FFA Association. The requirements for this degree include:

• Having earned and productively invested at least $1,000 or worked at least 300 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof, in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program.

• Demonstrated leadership ability by performing ten procedures of Parliamentary Law, giving a six-minute speech on an agriculture or FFA-related topic, and serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or participating member of a chapter committee.

• Have completed at least 25 hours of community service.

Grant Fischer earned the coveted State FFA Degree at this year's convention. "Fischer is an incredibly hard-working student, working at his family's repair shop in Roscoe. Throughout his years in FFA he has grown into an incredible leader, encouraging other members and leading by example within the chapter in competitions, community service, and fundraising. Fischer has set the bar for Edmunds Central FFA by being the first member from the chapter to receive his State FFA Degree," said ECFFA advisor Jennah Trefz.

Fischer comments on his experience at State: "The most memorable experience at state this year was walking across the stage to get my State FFA Degree and hearing my friends cheer me on."

Kelsey Lehr competed in Livestock Evaluation, where contestants take a general knowledge test then are presented with seven different classes of livestock to place, along with a keep/cull class of animals. After judging, contestants then give reasons on how they placed the class. At State Convention Lehr placed in the top half of all competing members from across the state.

Eden Weiland competed in the Floriculture contest, which contains flower identification, creating a floral arrangement, and a general knowledge test. "My favorite part about Convention was getting to compete in the Floriculture CDE Contest and getting to make a floral arrangement that I have not gotten to make before," said Weiland. She placed high enough to earn a bronze rating.

Throughout the convention there were multiple workshops members could participate in a career fair to attend, and general sessions with keynote speakers. All attending members were excited about the different opportunities to learn new skills. National Officer Carter Howell presented a workshop on "Planning for Problems", helping to teach members skills to help when problems arise.

ECFFA Officers had the opportunity to meet Carter in March at the Commodity Classic in Houston. "Visiting with National Officer Carter Howell again and attending his workshop was a great experience," Anthony Miller shared, "it was cool that he remembered us from Houston."

Overall the State FFA Convention was a successful event for ECFFA. Members were able to experience the different parts of the convention and bring back new information, ideas, and excitement to the chapter, Trefz said.