By Woodrow Polston
The 2022 Van-Far Future Farmers of America Awards Banquet was held in the Van-Far high School gymnasium on Monday night. Members and guests were treated to a dinner during the awards ceremony. FFA members celebrated numerous achievements during the evening. Highlights from the event included recognition of the Van-Far chapter taking 30th place overall at the 94th annual Missouri FFA Convention, which gave them a gold rating.
“The Van-Far FFA chapter held many events throughout the past year,” said FFA President Devyn Keller, who gave the opening remarks. “This year, we were able to host our Food For America event, where members teach students at the Van-Far elementary school the importance of agriculture. Twelve members attended the national convention, where they experienced the main session, speakers and expo along with other activities,” she added.
Recognition was given to the State Champion Nursery and Landscape Team members, Ennis Childs, Mara Jensen, Devyn Keller, and Hunter Scrogin. State Degree Recipients included Hunter Scrogin, Adam McCurdy, Devyn Keller, Andrew Morris, and Ennis Childs. A State Proficiency award was given to Ennis Childs for Agricultural Sales- Entrepreneurship.
State Qualifying Floriculture Team included Alayna Bryan, Abigail Hunn, Kaylen Culwell, and Haley Baskett. State Qualifying Meats Evaluation Team included Easton McAfee, Madelynn Caldwell, Andrew Morris, and Natalie Bybee. The State Qualifying Entomology Team included Katelyn Pargeon, McKenna Engh-Hoffman, Carmen Wilburn, and Clara Wallace. The Styate Qualifying FFA Knowledge Team included Macie Bybee, Alexys Grinde, Emma Schambach, and Kaelyn Hutcheson.