JEROMESVILLE — Members of the Hillsdale FFA chapter proudly represented their school at the State Spring Career Development Events (CDE) last week, competing in four different events:
Agronomy, General Livestock Judging, Poultry Management, and Equine Management each
demonstrating knowledge, skill, and passion for agriculture.
Agronomy – 5th place
Team members included Dylan Fickes, Reed Twining, Aiden Hoffman, Wyatt Arnold, Caleb Burgess, and Charles Leslie.
The agronomy career development event is designed to assess the student’s knowledge of agronomic practices for the production of field and forage crops.
A practical examination requires the student to identify specimens of crop and weed plants and seeds, diseases, and insects or their damage. An individual written test covers the use of soil test analysis and County Soil Surveys, current agronomic practices, and fertilizer, pesticide or sprayer calibration problems and their solution.
A team evaluation will consist of an applied field problem.
General Livestock Judging – 3rd place in prelims
Team members included Haleigh Stephens, Dally Meek, Peighton Thomas, Rodalynn Mast, Maci Atterholt, Carston Stephens, Nevaeh Schlabach, and Joslyn Bicker.
The General Livestock Career Development Event is an educational program designed as a practical method of teaching students to recognize quality production animals.
The skills students learn in evaluating general livestock should make them better livestock producers and consumers by providing hands-on, practical experience in identifying and understanding characteristics that affect production and quality.
The team earned the privilege to advance to the state competition.
Poultry Management – 41st place overall
Team members included Cade Hawley, Adalyn Tipton, Jason McClure, Trevor Raubenolt, and Hunter Christian.
The Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event encourages learning through activities relative to production and management, processing, marketing, and food safety and quality of poultry and poultry products.
Equine Management – 74th place overall
Team members included Paelyn Wilson and Ella Braeunig. The Equine Management CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students current horse evaluation and selection techniques in addition to developing management skills necessary for success in the equine industry.
These competitions not only test technical knowledge but also develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
Congratulations to all the team members involved.