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 Left to right: Michelle Shepherd, Matt Ross, Isaac Oman and Robert Bevis. FFA State Winning Agronomy Team Recognized at State FFA Convention The North Union FFA has continued its tradition of excellence in building individuals toward lifelong skills through the FFA’s career development events. Agriculture Education Career Development Events (CDEs) are educational activities that are organized and conducted by the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Career-Technical Adult Education, and Agricultural Education Service. They are designed to assess student competence in business and industry verified occupational skills, as detailed in the Agricultural and Environmental Content Standards. CDEs are a motivating force that stimulates occupational interests in and personal development of high school students enrolled in school-based agricultural education programs. Many of the events are transferred from what they learn in the classroom and the events to apply them to the real world. The past members who have participated in the 49 different sanctioned CDE events have all benefited either educationally or personally with the skills to help them be successful in their chosen career. Often many of the former FFA members go on to us these skills in their career and even major in that field. This year has been no exception to the student’s high level of achievement.
The team consisted of Isaac Oman, Matt Ross, Michelle Shepherd, Billy Parrott, Kyle Dresback and Robert Bevis. The agronomy contest is designed to assess the student’s knowledge of agronomic practices for the production of field and forage crops. A practical examination requires the student to identify specimens of crop and weed plants and seeds, diseases, and insects of their damage. Once written tests cover the use of soil tests and country soil surveys, currents agronomic practices, and fertilizer, pesticide or sprayer calibration problems and their solution. The contest also has the members work in a team to solve a general farming problem and come up with solution and recommendation. The team excelled and grew as they competed in the invitational judging contests. The team placed first in the state out of 40 teams, The high individuals were Isaac Oman second place, Robert Bevis 3rd, Matt Ross 4th, Michelle Shepherd 5th, Kyle Dresback 6th and Billy Parrott 10th. There were 156 individuals in the CDE event. |