Many members of the Hillsdale FFA chapter attended the 90th official Ohio State FFA Convention at the Ohio Expo Center. Thursday, May 3, members received a tour of the American Whistle Company in Columbus, the only metal whistle factory in United States. The members each received a whistle. Members heard motivational speeches from keynote speakers Gian Paul Gonzalez and Eddie George. Blayne Bartter and Alyssa Critzer served as delegates for the business meeting of the Ohio FFA Association. Molly Moffett placed fourth in the Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship proficiency award. Dairy Production is a Supervised Agricultural Experience, SAE, that is about the skills that are required in planning and operating an agriculture-related business. Molly received a gold plaque and a pin.

Friday, members toured Yutaka Technologies which produces catalytic converters and exhaust systems and supplies them to original equipment manufacturers. The Ohio FFA Band and Chorus gave a performance on Friday and Hillsdale FFA member Jacob Chio participated in the band. At convention, there were two keynote speakers: Greg Ibach and Erica Baier, the National FFA Secretary. Gold rated officers Alex Becker and Hannah Way walked on stage to receive their gold officer pin. The Hillsdale FFA Agronomy and Poultry Career Development Event (CDE) team received their first place banners on stage. The State FFA Degree is the second highest level that can be achieved as an FFA member. This step in the FFA Degree system encourages students to grow and achieve personally toward establishing themselves in an agricultural career. Members receiving their state degrees this year were Blayne Bartter, (Garrett) Pete Crites, Michael Garn, Lucas Markley, Adrianne McPhillips, Molly Moffett, Braxton Slagle and Hannah Way. In order to receive a state FFA degree members must earn at least $2,500 on their Supervised Agricultural Experience project, have participated in at least two different state sanctioned Career Development Events, and have participated in eight FFA activities above the chapter level.

Molly posing with her parents- (L to R) Steve Moffett, Molly Moffett, and Becky Moffett
Molly posing with her parents- (L to R) Steve Moffett, Molly Moffett, and Becky Moffett
Gold Ratings- (L to R) Hannah Way and Alex Becker
Gold Ratings- (L to R) Hannah Way and Alex Becker

 

 

State Degree- Top Row (L to R) Pete Crites, Blayne Bartter, Michael Garn, Lucas Markley, and Alec Becker Bottom Row (L to R) Adrianne McPhillips, Hannah Way, Molly Moffett, and Braxton Slagle.

State Degree- Top Row (L to R) Pete Crites, Blayne Bartter, Michael Garn, Lucas Markley, and Alec Becker
Bottom Row (L to R) Adrianne McPhillips, Hannah Way, Molly Moffett, and Braxton Slagle.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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