Ag students to compete in national meet

Thirteen Kalispell ag students will compete in the National FFA Convention next week.

Flathead FFA members, who are from Flathead and Glacier high schools, will compete in three events at the national convention, which takes place in Indianapolis starting Wednesday.

Dominic Eickert, Jemma Morrow, Tanaia Wise, Ian Paulson, Kalee McRae and Kelsey Ovik will compete in Parliamentary Procedure.

In the event, participants demonstrate their ability to conduct orderly, efficient meetings; present logical, convincing discussions and properly record meeting procedures. Each team takes a written exam, conducts a 10-minute demonstration, answers questions from judges about parliamentary law and prepares minutes from their presentation.

Justin Heupel is coaching the Parliamentary Procedure team.

Ashley Goyer, Shawna Abell, Carmen Tikka and Carter Krantz are competing in Meats Evaluation and Technology.

In the event, participants take a written exam that tests their knowledge of meat selection, storage, cooking, nutrition and safety. They also must identify cuts of beef, pork or lamb by retail trade name and prime cut identification.

Clark Krantz is the Meats Evaluation coach.

The Agricultural Sales team is made up of Kaitlin Trutzel, Jessica Grove and Stevi Barlow. Team members conduct a group sales planning meeting before a panel of judges, complete a test and make individual oral sales presentations.

Brian Bay is the Ag Sales coach.

The Flathead FFA chapter as a whole was named a three-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program. The program recognizes chapters for developing and conducting a detailed program of activities, which provide opportunities for members to excel in one of three areas: student, chapter or community development.

Chapters may earn one-, two- or three-star ratings. The three-star rating is the highest level a chapter may receive.