Kalispell FFA chapter excels at national competition

The Kalispell FFA chapter had three teams representing Montana at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis recently.

Twenty-one members traveled along with three FFA advisers and Glacier High School Assistant Principal Andy Fors.

The National FFA organization is a national youth organization of more than 700,000 student members as part of 8,600 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. When considering that only one chapter may represent each state in each event, it’s a big deal to be among the very elite simply by earning the right to walk into the room.

Kalispell’s Farm & Agribusiness Management team placed in the Gold division, ranking eighth in the nation.

Cole Dykhuizen, ranked second in the nation individually, and Whitney Levanen each ranked in the gold division individually and Morgan Kelly and Hunter Burden ranked silver. The Farm & Agribusiness Management event is sponsored by John Deere.

The National FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section. Each team in the event has competed with other chapters in their state for the privilege of participating in the national event.

The event, held at the Crowne Plaza in Indianapolis is one of many educational activities at the convention and expo, where FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.

The Forestry team placed in the silver division.

Kadon Cheff ranked in the gold division individually while Matt Dall, Aaron Lang and Amber Reiner each ranked silver. The Forestry event is sponsored by John Deere.

The National FFA Forestry CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills and knowledge in the area of forest management. Event components include a general forest knowledge exam, tree identification, timber cruising, tree/forest disorders identification, a chainsaw practicum, forestry issues interview, and a team activity. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

This event, held at the Hyatt in Indianapolis and a central Indiana forest, is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Livestock Evaluation team placed in the silver division.

Maddie Sutton ranked in the gold division individually, Bethany Lyford and Bailey Lake ranked silver, and Luke Heupel was ranked bronze. The Livestock Evaluation event is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

The National FFA Livestock CDE is a competitive event that tests the student’s ability to select and evaluate livestock. Event components include eight evaluation classes of beef, sheep, swine, and goats; oral placement reasons on four classes; and a written exam on livestock production. A team activity, utilizing reproductive and marketing information, demonstrates the team’s livestock selection ability. Each team in the event competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

The Kalispell FFA chapter was also recognized with a 3 Star National Chapter Award. This is the 75th time for the chapter to earn national level recognition through this award program since 1942.