INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Two students emerged victorious after Indiana Farm Bureau Collegiate Chapter Discussion Meets were held this week at Purdue University and Vincennes University. 

Micah Matlock from Knightstown, Ind., won the Purdue Discussion Meet. Jacob Hall of Rushville, Ind., was the Vincennes winner. 

Matlock is a freshman majoring in agribusiness management and minoring in political science at Purdue. He is the son of Marty and Robin Matlock of Knightstown. 

Hall is a second year student studying ag business management at Vincennes. He is the son of Doug and Christy Hall of Rushville. 

The Purdue contest had eight participants while 35 students competed at Vincennes.

In addition to $750 in scholarship money, both students have the opportunity to travel to Grand Rapids, Mich., in February to compete in the national contest at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting. Topics are pre-determined, and contestants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas, offer constructive criticism, cooperate and communicate while analyzing agricultural problems and developing solutions. 

For more information on Indiana Farm Bureau programs, visit the IFB website at www.infarmbureau.org or call 1-800-FARM BUR (327-6287).

Decorating contest showcases LA-CO All-Weather Marker

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — LA-CO will host its annual All-Weather decorating contest, inviting youths 18 and under to use their imagination to color everything and anything. This year’s All-Weather All Surface Decorating Contest once again allows contestants to bring their artistic flair anywhere. Participants are encouraged to decorate surfaces of any size, from pig to cow, a side of a barn to a side walk, using LA-CO All-Weather livestock markers. 

To enter, young artists simply submit a photo of the art project along with a photo showing the use of All-Weather markers in the masterpiece by Dec. 31, 2011, for a chance to win one of several exciting prizes, including a 46-inch flat screen TV to the grand prize winner, an Xbox 360 to the second place winner or an IPod Touch for third place. Winners will be selected from two age groups: ages 10 and under, and 11 through 18.

Entrants may use any surface that inspires them, but to be eligible, the object must be decorated using the All-Weather Paintstik, Twist-Stik or Quik Shot markers. The judging will be based on the most original use of All-Weather marking products on the art object. All winners will be selected based on creative approach, awarding the grand prize to the most inventive entrants in both age groups.  

Photo entries can be sent via e-mail to allweather@laco.com or regular mail to Tom Rynberg, LA-CO Industries, 1201 Pratt Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.  Entrants are asked to include a name, address, phone number and age, as well as photos of the final work of art and of the artist working on the piece with All-Weather markers. Contestants must be age 18 or under. Entries must be received by Dec. 31, 2011, and all photos become the property of LA-CO Industries. 

INDIANAPOLIS – A group of 15 current and former FFA members and FFA advisors from five states recently attended a week-long event in Washington, meeting with various leaders within the United States Department of Agriculture and other agencies from Nov. 14-18, 2011. The event was designed to raise awareness of rural issues and engage in advocacy for Native American youth in agricultural education.

By special invitation from USDA and through the generous support of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Farm Credit Services as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, the group united as a voice in the national dialogue on identifying barriers and opportunities in agricultural education that lead to both continuing higher education attainment and career success in native communities. They also met to recognize opportunities for support and mentorship for agricultural education students in native communities.

Among the administrators meeting with the group were Kathleen Merrigan, USDA Deputy Secretary; Bruce Nelson, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Keith Moore, Director of the Bureau of Indian Education; and Brian Drapeaux, Chief of Staff of the Bureau of Indian Education.

There are 210 FFA chapter in 20 states that have students who self-identify as Native American.

Illinois 4-H livestock judging team wins national title

URBANA, Ill. — The Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Team bested a field of 28 states to become the 2011 national champions at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on Nov. 15. 

The contest was held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Team members included Jake Bloomberg of Berwick, Max Look of Mapleton, Tyler Homann of Charleston, Bailey McClelland of Bowen, and Sarah DeSchepper of Altona. 

The National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest is the premier event of education and competition for youth involved in livestock evaluation programs. The Illinois team placed first in swine, first in oral reasons, second in sheep and goats, fourth in cattle, and first overall.  

Bloomberg captured the coveted title of high individual overall in the contest. Bloomberg was first in swine, third in sheep and goats, sixth in cattle, and ninth in oral reasons. McClelland finished first in oral reasons, first in sheep and goats, and tenth high individual overall. Look placed seventh in swine. 

The team was coached by University of Illinois graduate students Bain Wilson and Chris Cassady. The team was sponsored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation and the Illinois State 4-H program.