PORTLAND, Ind. — The Jay County FFA Chapter recently competed in the area crops, forestry, and entomology contests held on Nov. 14. In the crops competition teams were required to identify seeds, plant mounds, various types of damages and diseases of plants, take an exam and classify the grade of certain plants. The Jay County teams placed second, fourth, fifth and sixth and will advance to the state competition at Purdue University in December. Katie Reier, Jill Dirksen, Tony Schwieterman, Kevin Minnich, and Jared Alig all placed in the top ten as individuals in the crops competition. 

The entomology team also competed at the area level on the Nov. 14. In this competition students had to identify species of insects along with taking a test to show the students knowledge on the subject. Jay county had one team and then two individuals, coached by Ms. Melissa Muhlenkamp, compete in this event. The team placed first overall. Abby Broering, Kyle Siegrist, Bryan Schwieterman, Lucy Hemmelgarn and Jacob Schwieterman all placed in the top ten individuals.  The team will also be advancing to the state level in December.

Jay County’s forestry team also had exceptional results at area. The teams, coached by Mr. Cody Linville, placed first, second and fifth. Shelbi Louck, Loren Jutte, Lindsey Marchal, Trevor Blakenbaker and Ryan Massie all placed within the top ten. In this competition students have to identify seed leaf, and woods samples along with taking an exam. These teams are also advancing to state where they will compete in hopes of advancing to nationals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is announcing an ongoing initiative to strengthen the future of the beef industry. Together with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. (NCBA) and the CME Group, ten $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry. The 2012-2013 Beef Industry Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at two-year or four-year institutions for the 2012-2013 school year.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a career in the beef industry through classes, internships or life experiences. Fields of study for potential scholarship recipients may include education, communications, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry. Interim Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Cattlemen’s Foundation John Lacey said the scholarship program is aimed at helping future industry leaders.

All submissions for the 2012-2013 Beef Industry Scholarship must be postmarked or received via email or fax by December 9, 2011. To download the scholarship application online visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. To have an application sent to you or for more information contact Barb Wilkinson at bwilkinson@beef.org or ncf@beef.org