INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National FFA Organization (FFA) announced recently that Meghan Bruns and Amanda Seger of Fort Loramie, Ohio were selected to receive Career Pathways grants in the amount of $1,000 to initiate or improve their career development experience known as a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). To be eligible, the student must be in grades 7-11, have an SAE and be a member of FFA. Seger and Bruns are members of the Fort Loramie FFA Chapter and were selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide.

Bruns’s grant for an Animal Systems SAE and Seger’s grant for a Direct Specialty Crop SAE is a special project of the National FFA Foundation. With the money received from the Animal Systems grant Bruns plans to further her SAE in swine production. Currently her SAE includes raising and showing pigs at national, state and local shows. Meghan’s future plans are to expand the quality and number of the show pigs to continue to raise swine and expanding her SAE. Seger’s grant in Direct Specialty Crop will be used to start up her SAE in horticulture. The money will go toward building a small production greenhouse in order to grow and produce bedding plants and vegetables. Seger then plans to sell the products from the greenhouse to make a profit with her SAE.

HILLSBORO, Ohio — On Feb. 21, the Miami Trace ag sales team, creed speaker and prepared competed at the FFA district contest at Hillsboro High School. The ag sales team consisting of Jordan Bonham, Brooke Mossbarger, Carly Stayer and Chas Grover received first at the contest with Jordan Bonham placing first overall individual. To compete in ag sales the student must find an object they want to sell and “sell” it to the judges. The students used the product EZall to sell to the judges. After the sale, the students must go through a practicum, which is a customer complaint. Here they must satisfy the customer while following company guidelines. The creed speaker this year for Miami Trace was Jacob Rose, who also placed first for Miami Trace. During creed speaking students must learn and memorize not just the FFA Creed itself, but also questions like who was the author, and how the Creed applies to life today. Daniella Straathof was the prepared speaker for Miami Trace; she received a third place for Miami Trace. During prepared speaking, students must prepare a memorized original speech and then answer follow-up questions.

Also four Miami Trace FFA students competed in the district job interview contest. Team members included: Freshmen Natalie Miller, Sophomore Katie Frost, Junior Madison Hisey and the Senior Tanner Mick. During this contest students must go through a typical job interview situation, including an application and interview. Then, they must follow-up with a thank-you letter. After receiving their scores, Frost received first place, so she will proceed to the state contest.