Rigby FFA recognized at national convention
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The following is a news release from Rigby FFA.
RIGBY – Rigby FFA members joined over 70,000 participants at the 97th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October. The chapter was recognized for achievements in the National Chapter Awards program, Forestry, Livestock Evaluation, and Agricultural Mechanics career development events. In addition, members competed in the National FFA Proficiency Awards program, Agriscience Fair and eight members earned the American FFA Degree.
National Proficiency Results
Lucy Barney was selected as the national champion in Equine Science Placement through an application and interview process. Lucy works for Sage Ridge Farms Pulling Horses and the Barney Shires draft horse hitch. She is the head trainer at SRF Pulling Horses where she has developed skills in strength training, feed rations, horse selection, and marketing. Lucy is the daughter of Nick and Kim Barney of Lewisville.
Kayda Hickman was selected as the national runner up in Diversified Livestock Production. She has built a successful enterprise selling and marketing sheep and goats. Kayda sells across five counties, manages a herd vaccination program, makes selection and breeding decisions, and cares for offspring. Kayda is the daughter of Jake and Amanda Hickman of Labelle.
Maddisen Ricks was selected as the national runner up in Small Animal Production and Care. She is a kennel technician at Teton Bird Dogs breeding and training hunting bird dogs and French Bulldogs. In addition, she markets Netherland Dwarf rabbits and owns and operates a pet-sitting business across eastern Idaho. Maddisen is the daughter of Roger and Trista Ricks of Rigby.
National Agriscience Fair Results
Individuals who participate in the Agriscience Fair are responsible for creating a research topic that explores an area related to agriculture. Students conduct an experiment, keep records, and create a manuscript documenting their findings as well as comparing their findings to the research of other researchers. Students also participate in an interview with industry experts to explain their findings and defend their research.
Avery Oswald and Brylie Spaulding competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair where they were recognized as National Runners Up. Their experiment involved researching how music affects a horse’s heart rate. They concluded that rousing, upbeat, music raised heart rates while calmer, slower paced, music lowered heart rates. Avery is the daughter of Elise and Casey Oswald of Rigby; Brylie is the daughter of Tiffany and Richard Spaulding of Rigby.
Alice Wilson competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair this October at the National FFA Convention where she was recognized as the 7th High Individual in the nation. Her experiment involved researching how different light wave lengths affect the prevention of mold growth on sliced bread. She concluded that light with higher wavelengths worked best for prevention of mold growth. Alice is the daughter of Becca and Mac Wilson of Rigby.
Career Development Event results
National Gold, 5th in the Nation was the Agricultural Mechanics Career Development team. The event tests a member’s technical knowledge and an ability to work with others to solve complex agricultural problems. Participants are tested over five agricultural technology and mechanical areas: compact equipment, electricity, environment and natural resources, machinery and equipment and structures. Rigby won the team portion of the event, Brayden Hammer and Levi Simmons were recognized as high individuals in the structural welding component. Levi Simmons was also recognized as the 5th high individual in the event. Team members earning a gold rating are Levi Simmons, Brayden Hammer, Leonard Richardson, and Aaron “Tyler” Barrett earned a silver rating.
National Gold, 5th in the Nation was the Forestry career development event team. Competitors demonstrate their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices. They were tested on tree identification and measurement, map reading calculating a forest business management problem. The team was high in the nation in map reading and 3rd in forest business management. Emily Cook was the highest individual in map reading and placed 5th overall in nation. Team members earning a gold rating are Emily Cook, Keylee Harris, Jack Taylor, and a silver rating for Blyss Miller.
National Gold, 10th in the Nation was the Livestock Evaluation career development event team. Participants work to rank breeding and market classes of beef, sheep and swine and give oral reasons to back up their decisions. Students make accurate and logical observations of livestock, decide on the desirable traits in marketing and breeding livestock, and select and market livestock that will satisfy consumer demands and provide increased economic returns to producers. In the beef evaluation portion of the event Rigby placed 3rd and Tymber Billman placed 5th and Halle Nicholes placed 8th. Team members earning a gold rating are Tymber Billman and Reagan Stirling; earning a silver rating are Halle Nicholes and Kalli Smith.
3 Star Gold National Chapter
The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Rigby FFA improved chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities which emphasized growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Rigby FFA received a gold rating from the Idaho FFA association and earned National FFA 3-star rating.
The American FFA Degree was presented to eight Rigby FFA members. The American FFA Degree is awarded at the National FFA Convention & Expo each year to less than one percent of FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience, outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they exhibited through their FFA experience.
Recipients were Travis Grant, Eryn Harris Price, Tobee Holman, Hallee Miller, John “Mack” Poole, Pryce Romriell, Hailey Stucki, and Benjamin Thornley.
The Rigby FFA would like to thank our local sponsors that make this experience possible. The following gave financial and or technical support: Idaho FFA Foundation, Idaho Cattle Foundation, Jefferson School District 251, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Jefferson County Fair Board, Valley Wide Cooperative, Mountain River Veterinary Clinic, and C&B Operations – John Deere.