Chinook FFA Earns Top Spots at Ag Expo

Twenty-six members of the Chinook Chapter of the FFA joined the group of over 1,700 blue jackets that flooded Montana State University campus at the 11th Annual Montana FFA Ag Expo in Bozeman on November 10-12, 2022. Chinook FFA members had several top individual finishers. In addition, the Soils Team took seventh place overall, and both the Junior Mechanics and Junior Horse Judging teams earned ninth place overall.

Sponsored by John Deere Dealers across Montana, the Ag Expo offered opportunities for FFA members to participate in various Career and Leadership Development (CDE) events. Chinook members competed in thirteen of those events offered: Agronomy, Meats Evaluation, Poultry Evaluation, Equipment Operator Driving Contest, Horse Evaluation, Ag Mechanics, Livestock Evaluation, Creed Speaking, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Soils Evaluation, Agriculture Sales, and Range Science.

According to Wylee Simenson, Chinook FFA Chapter Reporter, "Each event required preparation, most of which is based on curriculum taught in the classroom at some point in one of the seven classes in our agricultural education program. Others showcase skills developed in the students' SAE programs, and some are skills and knowledge they receive in other classes within our school. All of which are designed to prepare students for future careers."

Under the influence of this preparation, the team posted the following results:

• Junior Mechanics

1st: Kenneth Gruszie (6th overall)

2nd: Brockton Elliot

3rd: Fletcher Anderson

• Senior Mechanics

1st: Ben Hofeldt

2nd: Jacob Metcalf

3rd: Ross Valdez

• Junior Agronomy

1st: Gracie Skoyen

2nd: Wyatt Olmstead

• Forestry

1st: Kaidance Unruh

• Junior Horse Judging

1st: Neva Lowe

2nd: Britt Powell

3rd: Fletcher Anderson

• Senior Horse Judging:

1st: Grace Buck

2nd: Emma Paulsen

3rd: Morgan Friede

• Junior Livestock

1st: Kenneth Gruszie

2nd: Fletcher Anderson

3rd: Falyn Cecrle

• Senior Livestock

1st: Madilyn Gruszie

2nd: Grace Buck

3rd: Emma Klingaman

• Junior Meats

1st: Madilyn Gruszie

2nd: Kirbey Hofeldt

3rd: Neva Lowe

• Senior Meats

1st: Jacob Metcalf

2nd: Emma Paulsen

3rd: Sterling Bemis

• Senior Poultry

1st: Ashlyn Hofeldt

2nd: Grace Buck

• Range

1st: Gus Buck

2nd: Kaidence Unruh

3rd: Ross Valdez

• Soils

1st: Kaidence Unruh

2nd: Kolton DePriest

3rd: Gus Buck

• Junior Vet Science

1st: Emma Klingaman

• Senior Vet Science

1st: Morgan Friede

2nd: Gracie Skoyen

3rd: Emma Paulsen

Members also had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops and a career trade show, highlighting Montana Agricultural businesses and organizations. While in Bozeman, they toured the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture and heard an entertaining keynote address about mental health delivered by Stuart Ellis-Myers.

According to the group's Advisor, Mitzi Cecrle, "The students really enjoyed their time networking with each other and with members from all around Montana. We also enjoyed watching and cheering on our very own Chinook Sugarbeeters at the State Volleyball Tournament between competitions-two of which are members of our FFA officer team."

Additionally, a small contingent of FFA members competed in the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings. At that event, held October 13-22, Ryan Meneely captured first place in Junior Livestock. Meanwhile, competing in Senior Livestock, Lynley Conrad took first; Kenneth Gruszie earned second, and Gus Buck placed third.

Recently, the membership received their fruit and chocolate orders and will be making deliveries soon.