The Fair Grove Future Farmers of America (FFA) has gone to state, and the team has won multiple medals at the competition.
The FFA team had a lot to do while they were preparing to go to state, they had to put in work, and dedicate themselves. Alivia Tucker (11) stated, “It took a lot of time, dedication and teamwork to even make it to state.”
FFA had other ways of preparing for state as well, “It took countless hours of studying old contest tests, and looking at all different types and breeds of dairy cows and heifers.” explained Ryanne Crutcher, a freshman on the team.
At state, competitions varied in many categories. Sache Dowling (10) explained, “I only competed in the Dairy Cattle Judging contest at state. They had 2 heifer classes, 3 cow classes, 2 sets of oral reasons, and a 50 question test. We completed the test first which is what I think was the hardest part of the contest with some pretty tricky questions.”
While the team was competing, they had to sit in rooms for an extended period of time while adhering to a strict set of rules. Tucker said, “The state contest was difficult, we were judging classes we had never seen before with strict rules to not talk for about 4-5 hours.”
After the set of rules for state were applied, Dowling described the process of state judging. “We went down onto the area floor and judged the classes. While we did this, we took notes and filled out our placing cards. After the classes were done we went back up in the stands, wrote and memorized our reasons, and gave them to a judge.”
The state team had an experience at the competition. Regan Clines (9) stated, “My favorite part of the state convention was spending time with my friends, and getting to walk up on stage to get second in state for the dairy cattle team.”
Crutcher stated that her favorite part of the state competition was being able to walk on to meet new people there and spend time with her friends at the competition. She explained that another favorite part of hers is when she got to walk on the stage as a freshman.
“I want to add that we could do none of these things without our agriculture teachers and their hard work. They were right beside us the whole way and taught us everything they knew. We are so lucky to have Mr. Crutcher and Mr. Johnson.” Dowling added.
Dowling continued, “Our coaches are so dedicated, and they try so hard to make us the best team we can be. They want to win just as much as we do and they always push us to be better while making it a good experience for us all.”
In the Dairy Cattle Reserve State Competition, Fair Grove came out on top, the team consisting of Regan Cline, Ryanne Crutcher, Sache Dowling, and Sam Simpson (9). Along with the Meats Judging team, for finishing 11th in state, consisting of all seniors: Colton Stevens, Jackson Martin, Mason Koller, and Reed Icenhower.
