Rigby FFA takes home top awards at state competition in Twin Falls

The following is a news release from the Rigby FFA Chapter.

TWIN FALLS – The Rigby Future Farmers of America chapter is headed to a national competition after winning multiple awards at the state level at the 94th annual FFA Leadership Conference in Twin Falls.

It was held from April 2 to 5. The National Chapter Awards program recognizes a chapter’s efforts to run a complete program of activities and the Rigby chapter received a gold, three-star ranking.

The Idaho FFA Association also recognized three members of the team with State Star awards. These members have mastered skills in production, finance, and management.

Brayden Hammer, son of Justin and Jalayna Hammer of Rigby, earned the title of Idaho State Star in Agri-Business. Brayden’s project is a partnership with his father in Hammer Service and Repairs LLC, where he owns 50% of the business. He services and repairs power equipment for local clientele and subcontracts for small engines and powersports shops.

Kayda Hickman, daughter of Jake and Amanda Hickman of Labelle, was recognized as the Idaho State Star Farmer. Kayda has taken her love of animals and grown it into a production goat and sheep operation that sells to customers across five counties. She manages all aspects of production, including selection, breeding, daily care, marketing, and selling.

Joel Ricks earned recognition as the North Upper Snake River FFA District Star in Agri-Placement. His parents are Deron and Lori Ricks of Rigby. Joel works in forage and livestock production on his family’s farm and at Hall’s Dairy.

Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, throughsupervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills they can apply toward their future careers.

State champions from the Rigby FFA Chapter include:

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Ammon Grant.
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Brayden Hammer.
Agricultural Services – placement – Emily Cook.
Beef Production – entrepreneurship – Tymber Billman.
Beef Production – placement – Austin Madden.
Diversified Ag Production – Molly Burgess.
Forage Production – placement – Joel Ricks.
Goat Production – entrepreneurship – Kayda Hickman.
Small Animal Production and Care – Emily Jossi.
2nd in Diversified Crop Production was Kailynn Clark.

Chapter members competed in Leadership and Career Development Events, where they demonstrated the skills they had developed.

The Farm Business Management Team earned a state championship. Team members each earned individual recognition: Vincent Kisner – state champion, Johnny Bell – 3rd, Jack Taylor – 5th high individual, and Anna Warner – 6th high individual.

Rigby’s Parliamentary Procedure team earned the right to represent the North Upper Snake River District and placed 2nd in the state. Team members are Emily Cook – chair, Ella Dixon, Wyatt Garcia, Kayda Hickman, Emily Jossi, Bridger Lamb, and Kaitlyn Walker.

The Agricultural Issues team placed third with a presentation on “Does Idaho Need Stricter Regulations on Domestic Well Use?” Team members are Grace Barrett, Kendyl McNeill, Anna Moon, Cynthia Squires, and Jasper Wasylow.

The Conduct of Chapter Meetings team also placed 3rd. Blake Jossi – chair, Stratton Nelson, Addalyn Nielson, Avery Oswald, Emily Rhodes, Paige Ringle, Mackenzie Thorngren, and Alice Wilson.

In the Prepared Public Speaking event, Emily Jossi represented the North Upper Snake River FFA District with her speech, “Ensuring Food for Tomorrow.”

Fifty-nine teams competed in the Horse Evaluation career development. Rigby FFA placed 9th. Team members are Tymber Billman, Keylee Harris, Halle Nichols, and Kalli Smith.

Rigby FFA had 12 members earn the State FFA Degree, which requires members to qualify by keeping accurate supervised agriculture experience records for over two years, demonstrating leadership, maintaining good grades, and being involved in community service.

• Molly Burgess
• Dallin Christopherson
• Ammon Grant
• Brayden Hammer
• Kayda Hickman
• Emily Jossi
• Bridger Lamb
• Eraleigh Lindsey
• Kendyl McNeill
• Joel Ricks

Amaiya Rice and Tinley Ricks won the Plant Science Division 4 in the Idaho FFA Agri-Science Fair.

Emily Cook earned a $2,000 scholarship from the Idaho FFA Foundation.

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