By Woodrow Polston
The 94th annual Missouri FFA Convention was held on April 21-22 at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo. FFA chapters from across the state came to compete in the annual event. Van-Far agriculture teacher Blaise Stuedle said that the convention was special this year.
“The convention was special this year for a variety of reasons,” said Stuedle. “This was our chapter’s most successful convention in a number of years, and also my last convention as an adviser. I have truly enjoyed my last five years as an FFA Adviser and agriculture education instructor. Although I am ready for my new adventure (starting in a few short months) I will definitely miss several aspects of being a teacher and an adviser,” he added.
Highlights from the two-day event include the following: Van-Far Nursery and Landscape CDE Team named Missouri FFA State Champions; Ennis Childs, Mara Jensen, Devyn Keller, and Hunter Scrogin. High Individual in Nursery and Landscape; Ennis Childs, awarded $1,000 scholarship. Second Place Agricultural Sales; Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award; Ennis Childs. State Star in Agribusiness Finalist; Ennis Childs. Five State FFA Degree Recipients; Ennis Childs, Devyn Keller, Adam McCurdy, Andrew Morris, and Hunter Scrogin. Group 1 Gold State Team; Floriculture; Alayna Bryan, Abi Hunn, Kaylen Culwell, and Haley Baskett. Group 2 Silver State Team; Meats Evaluation; Easton McAfee, Madelynn Caldwell, Andrew Morris, and Natalie Bybee. Group 2 Silver State Team; Entomology; Katleyn Pargeon, McKenna Engh-Hoffman, Carmen Wilburn and Clara Wallace. Group 2 Silver State Team; FFA Knowledge; Macie Bybee, Alexys Grinde, Emma Schambach, and Kaelyn Hutcheson. Two State Delegates; Abby Carlyle and Kristen Shaw.
The Van-Far FFA Chapter earned 30th Place Overall Chapter in Missouri. They will go on to represent Missouri in the National FFA Convention in October.