National Convention
Montana FFA Members recently returned from participation at the National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis, IN. Approximately six hundred Montana students attended the convention where they engaged in competitions, leadership workshops, tours and educational seminars. This annual event attracted over 72,000 FFA members from across the nation.
In the National Livestock Evaluation competition, the fourth-place team in the nation comes from the Big Timber FFA Chapter. Team members were Haley Anderson, Tresten Rein, Ryal Carroccia and Greeley Kleinsasser. The livestock evaluation event offers participants the chance to gain hands-on experience in evaluating and selecting livestock, including beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats. Through this event, participants will develop the ability to make accurate observations, determine desirable traits, and make informed decisions based on these observations. They will also learn to discuss and defend their decisions, understand industry standards, and effectively communicate using industry terminology. Through this experience, students gain valuable insights and employability skills essential for success in the livestock field. Other Montana teams placing in the top ten were the Missoula Food Science team who placed 6th and the Fergus Veterinary Science team who also placed 6th. Additionally, Shields Valley FFA was recognized as a top 10 finalist in the National Chapter Award program.
The following are the results of how Montana chapters placed during this year’s national convention:
- Floriculture – Corvallis – Silver
- Marketing Plan – Shields Valley – Silver
- Conduct of Meetings – Cascade – Bronze
- Parliamentary Procedure – Cascade – Silver
- Creed Speaking – Ava Grove – Hobson – Bronze
- Extemporaneous Speaking – Alyssa Crago – Columbus – Bronze
- Employment Skills – Lily Bingaman – Conrad – Bronze
- Forestry – Missoula – Silver
- Meats – Miles City – Bronze
- Ag Issues – Corvallis – Silver
- Vet Science – Fergus – Gold
- Ag Communication – Corvallis – Bronze
- Horse – Kalispell – Silver
- Ag Mechanics – Fergus – Silver
- Livestock – Kalispell – Silver
- Poultry – Victor – Bronze
- ENR – Belgrade – Gold
- Farm Business Management – Stevensville – Silver
- Food Science – Missoula – Gold
- Ag Sales – Belgrade – Bronze
- Agronomy – Missoula – Silver
- Prepared Public Speaking – Charlee Shaw – Roundup – Bronze.
*Note – Gold, Silver and Bronze ratings represent roughly the top, the middle, and the lower third of teams participating.
Individuals from Montana that were selected for national participation were Felixe Becker from Culbertson who was a member of the National Band, Justin Aye from Broadus who participated in the National Choir and Payson Allaire from Choteau who participated in the National Talent program. Payson was selected to perform a solo on the main stage during the 3rd general session.
In addition to the contest placings, 42 members received the American FFA Degree*. They are as follows:
- Kennedy Lyson – Baker
- Autumn Benson – Corvallis
- Savannah Emens and Hadley Fallang – Three Forks
- William Ellis, Savanna Freitas, Clancy Setzer and Faye Holland – Beaverhead
- Kylee Finn – Cascade; Asha Jerke – Shields Valley
- Paige Wertheimer and Trevor Halverson – Big Timber
- Claire Murnin – Shepherd
- Caden Leversee, Thomas Stott, and Kyona Yeager – Fairfield
- Jordan Leach, Madalyne Stokes, Cole Waldusky, and Trey Kinamon – Conrad
- Jonathan Saunders and Signe Saunders – Gardiner
- Mary Catherine Nagel, Keagan Merritt and Collin Yoshimura – Missoula
- Nick Mcallister and Brooke Jackson – Hot Springs
- Kaylee Reid and Alexa Smieja – Belgrade
- Hallie Iverson, Elsie Wilson and Tally Berwick – Bainville
- Madi Gruszie – Chinook
- Finn Graveley and Kaycee Corbin – Deer Lodge
- Johanna Demars – Winnifred
- Madison Birrer and Annika Birrer – Fromberg
- Haylee Summers – Stevensville
- Coleton Sherman – Mission Valley
- Travis Schallenberger – Carter County
- Hayden Lane – Plevna.
*The American FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be bestowed upon a member and represents at least five years of dedicated participation in the FFA organization.
Eric Tilleman from Cascade received the Honorary American FFA Degree for his continued support of Montana FFA.
The next event for Montana’s FFA Members will be the Montana FFA Ag Expo, a regional activity set for Nov. 12th -14th in Bozeman.
Big Timber Livestock Evaluation Team
Pictured (L to R)
Coach Marc King, Haley Anderson, Greeley Kleinsasser, Tresten Rein, Ryal Carroccia, Coach and FFA Advisor Austin Standley.
American Degree recipients who attended the National FFA Convention
