2015 Pennsylvania FFA State Convention

STATE COLLEGE, Pa—33 members of the Cumberland Valley FFA chapter recently returned from participating in the 86^th annual Pennsylvania FFA State Convention held annually at The Pennsylvania State University in State College. Two teams of students earned the privilege to represent Pennsylvania at the next level of competition this fall. Additionally, several students were awarded State Proficiencies for their work in Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects which can range from raising livestock, conducting AgriScience research projects, or exploring career options in a certain agriculture field.

33 members and 2 advisors represented Cumberland Valley
FFA at the 86th Pennsylvania FFA Convention held at
Penn State University.

Each FFA member attending is required to participate in a Career Development Event (CDEs). CDEs evaluate a student’s ability to perform skills and tasks necessary for various jobs in the agriculture field.  At the state level, Pennsylvania offers approximately 30 contests for students to compete in—every segment of agriculture is represented with contests like Livestock Evaluation, Parliamentary Procedure, Food Science, Ag Mechanics, and many more.

The Marketing Plan Team, consisting of Abigail Klinger, Taylor Quigley, and Megan Myers placed 1^st in the state and earned the right to represent Pennsylvania at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky this October. The team had to identify a local business looking to expand their customer base, develop an 8-page agricultural marketing plan for the business, and present their strategies to a panel of judges in a 15-minute presentation.

Abby, Megan, and Taylor advanced to the
National FFA Convention to compete in the
Marketing Plan CDE.

The Horse Evaluation Team, consisting of Cheyenne Murlatt, Megan McGee, Katie McCarty, Kaitlyn Mitchell, and alternate Emma Arentz placed 2^nd in a field of 15 teams and will represent Pennsylvania at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts this September. The team judged 6 classes of performance horses, gave 2 sets of oral reasons, and completed a team activity and presentation.  Individually, Cheyenne Murlatt placed 10^th (earning a Gold ranking) and Katie McCarty placed 11^th (earning a Silver ranking).

Cheyenne, Megan, and Kaitlyn (Katie missing
from photo) will advance to the Big E
competition in Massachusetts this September!

Additionally, rising Senior Mackenzie Yorlets was one of only 8 students from across the state selected to serve on the Nominating Committee. If selected for this committee, students cannot participate in a CDE as their time at State Convention is spent interviewing and slating the State FFA Officer Team for the upcoming year.

Other high-placing teams and participants are listed below with their placings:

·         Environmental & Natural Resources (3^rd place)-Anna Pauletta, Jackson Wetzel, Galen Witmer, Mallory Taramelli-Dickinson, and alternate Pierce Sweeny

·         Agricultural Sales (5^th place)-Courtney Walter, Victoria Howell, Morgan Lettich, and Paige Smith

·         Conservation Public Speaking Contest-Alicia Gates (5^th place individual)

·         Interview Contest-Ethan Cohn (8^th place individual)

·         Agriscience Fair—Food Science Division Winner-Emiliann Goodhart

·         Penn State Teach Ag Contest-Mackenzie Yorlets (4^th Place Finalist)

Mackenzie being recognized on stage for the
Teach Ag! Contest.

·         Chapter Scrapbook-6^th place (prepared by Cheyenne Murlatt)

·         State Superior Chapter Contest-3^rd place Gold & advancing for National Evaluation (prepared by 2014-15 FFA Officer Team)

Ten CV FFA members were also recognized on stage for their outstanding SAE programs and earned recognition as a State Proficiency Winner or Finalist. Only 4 students in the state are recognized in one of the 49 Proficiency categories. State winners earned $250.00 and will move on for evaluation at the National level this July.  Finalists and State winners are identified below in their respective categories.

·         Diversified Livestock Production-Mackenzie Yorlets (State Winner), Nate Short (State Finalist)

·         Equine Science Placement-Anna Pauletta (State Winner), Ashley Kalinoski (State Finalist)

·         Dairy Production Placement-Nick Crain (State Winner)

·         Sheep Production-Megan Myers (State Winner)

·         Equine Science Entrepreneurship-Cheyenne Murlatt (State Finalist), Emiliann Goodhart (State Finalist)

Emiliann and Cheyenne were finalists in the
Equine Production Proficiency category.

·         Small Animal Production & Care-Abigail Klinger (State Finalist)

·         Goat Production-Paige Smith (State Finalist)