2022 National FFA Convention

Ridgemont FFA named Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture

The Ridgemont FFA of Ohio was named the 2022 Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture during the sixth general session of the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo this year in Indianapolis.

Ridgemont FFA of Ohio mixed Christmas and agriculture to help spark grade school students’ interest in FFA. The chapter created a Commodity Wall Map for students to look at, then members created and taught 42 different lessons about making Christmas gifts from agricultural commodities. They provided materials for students to make those gifts during a 30‐minute class break.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’smission and strategies. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. National FFA recognizes the top chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.… Continue reading

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National FFA Convention photo highlights

The Ridgemont FFA of Ohio was named the 2022Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture. Photo by Ridgemont FFA.
Jacob Wuebker has been named the American Star in Agricultural Placement at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

The Versailles FFA Chapter was named the winner of the Model of Excellence award at the 2022 National FFA Convention.
Ohio FFA state officers enjoyed the convention
Proficiency winner in Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production – Thomas Rindfus, Wynford FFA
Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship – Carrie Rhoades, Ansonia
Versailles FFA 2022 Model of Excellence winner
Delaney Weisend at the Wilmington College booth in the trade show
There was some excitement when the winner of the Agricultural Communications proficiency was announced. Laura Wuebker, Versailles, was the national winner with her advisor, and mother, Dena, at her side.
Anna Spohler, Global Impact STEM Academy, finished first in the Agriscience Fair in Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems.
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Versailles FFA named Model of Excellence

The Versailles FFA Chapter was named the winner of the Model of Excellence award at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

Versailles FFA  promoted farm safety in their community by hosting a Family Farm Safety Night event. To promote economic development, the chapter organized a Fall Harvest Market where FFA members could sell products like pumpkins, soap, and honey produced through their supervised agricultural experiences. Members also recognized local farmers by putting on an“Egg-spression of Appreciation” breakfast, serving 600 omelets to the community.

Listen to the audio above as our own Laura Wuebker joins us from her role as National FFA Convention broadcast desk intern with Zoe Billenstein, chapter President, and Colin Batten, chapter Student Advisor.… Continue reading

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Ohio’s National Proficiency Award winners in 2022

From the Sixth General Session

Small Animal Production and Care – Halle Miller, Norwayne FFA
Turf Grass Management – Nathaniel McCandlish, Fairfield Union FFA
Vegetable Production – Griffin Craig Gilmor, Lakota FFA

From the Fifth General Session

Landscape Management – Jared Weigandt, New Bremen FFA

From the Fourth General Session

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production – Thomas Rindfus, Wynford FFA

From the Third General Session

Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship – Carrie Rhoades, Ansonia

From the Second General Session

Agricultural Communications – Laura Wuebker, Versailles
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance-Placement – Caden Keck, West Muskingum
Agricultural Services – John Gilbert, Valley View-MVCTC

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Wilmington College busy at National FFA Convention

Delaney Weisend

The good folks of Wilmington College are busy in conversation at this year’s National FFA Convention. In the audio player above, Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood chats with Wilmington student Delaney Weisend, a part of this year’s class of American FFA Degree recipients. The American FFA Degree is the highest honor an FFA member can achieve in the organization. They discuss her involvement in FFA, and how she has taken the passion for agriculture kindled in the organization to a future with promising career potential.… Continue reading

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Learn more about FFA Star Finalists Hagemeyer, Wuebker

Two impressive individuals from Ohio are finalists in the Stars Over America competition at this year’s National FFA Convention. Zane Hagemeyer of the Elmwood FFA Chapter is a finalist for the coveted title of Star Farmer, and Jacob Wuebker of the Versailles FFA is in the final running for Star in Agricultural Placement.

Learn more about each of them in the videos below, courtesy of the National FFA Organization.

Zane Hagemeyer

Jacob Wuebker

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Van Fleet preparing for National FFA office candidacy

By Bethany Starlin, OCJ FFA reporter

Each year, six individuals are elected to serve the now more than 850,000 FFA members across the country during the National FFA Convention. The team announcement is a highlight for many in attendance as the level of excitement and energy in the room is truly indescribable. 

Albeit the road to national office ends at convention, the path to get there is far from straight. Preparations begin months before convention as candidates invest countless hours into learning more about themselves and the organization as a whole.

The interview process requires candidates to have an extreme depth of knowledge and self-understanding, which is put to the test in several different rounds. General interviews, extemporaneous speaking, workshop facilitation, advocacy demonstrations, casual activities and prepared speaking are just a few of the rounds that candidates complete during the week leading up to national convention. 

The process is extremely stressful and taxing, yet so rewarding because of the friendships gained and personal growth experienced. … Continue reading

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Stars showcase Ohio agriculture at the National FFA Convention

By Bethany Starlin, OCJ FFA reporter

Cooling temperatures, turning leaves and the ongoing autumn harvest are just a few of the signs that fall is beginning to slip into winter. For the next generation of agriculturalists, however, this seasonal change also marks the single greatest annual celebration of the National FFA Organization. With a membership as strong as 700,000 young people and over a million alumni and supporters, the organization is sure to celebrate the many accomplishments of the past year in a big way. 

During the last week of October, it is estimated that around 70,000 FFA members along with their supporters and guests will travel to Indianapolis for the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo. The week is busy but fulfilling as it energizes members for what’s to come in their FFA career while also recognizing the successes of those who have taken advantage of the opportunities that the blue jacket has presented them. … Continue reading

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