COLUMBUS, Ohio — On March 31, Miami Trace FFA students competed at the Ohio State Fairgrounds for their CDE (Career Development Event) teams at the state level. There were many teams that competed and performed well at the state level including the agronomy, dairy foods, horse, dairy cattle and general livestock teams. 

The agronomy team consisting of Evan Schaefer, Judith Straathof, Landon Gibbs, Rachel McClish, Madison Hisey, Grant Ratliff, Kyler May, Andy Moore and Shayne Wood. The top individuals were, Evan Schaefer in first overall, Judith Straathof in second overall, Landon Gibbs in fourth and Rachel McClish in fifth. During the agronomy contest students must identify different types of plants, weeds, insects, seeds, and diseases. They also had a team event and took a test which also counted towards their overall scores.

The dairy foods team received fifth in state. The team consisted of Nicole Straathof, Abby Schwenk, Daniella Straathof, Theresa Elrich, Abby Hidy and Rebecca Elrich. During the foods competition students had to identify different dairy products including cheeses, identify milk defects and also take a test.

The horse team placed second in state. The horse team consisted of Blake Pitstick, Abbie Noble, Kayla Kiser, Tabby Morris, Montana Born, Bryce Pitstick, and Brandon Jordan. The top individual on the team was Blake Pitstick, who placed ninth overall. During horse judging students must judge three different classes of horses, identify tack, and take an exam. 

The dairy cattle team placed second in state. Their team consisted of Barbara Sears, Sam Macgregor, Josh McKay, Tiarra Perkins and Cheyenne Cartee. The top individuals for the team were Barbara Sears who placed seventh and Sam Macgregor who placed ninth overall. During dairy cattle judging students must judge several different classes of different dairy cattle based on their qualities, and also take an exam. 

The poultry team for Miami Trace received 16th in state. Their team consisted of Jaycee Perry, Austin Bennett and Brianna Thomas. During this competition students must judge different poultry, their meat, eggs and carcasses. 

The final team to compete for Miami Trace was the general livestock who placed seventh in state, overall. The team consisted of Gus Mitchem, Logan Harvel, Caleb Penwell, Caroline Hughes, Chas Grover, Jacob Rose, Colten Hughes, Taylor Coe, Sidney Ford and Scott Hidy. The top individual for the team was Gus Mitchem who placed 15th overall.

During the general livestock competition students must judge various classes of livestock animals and also take an exam. The top four individuals form the dairy cattle, general livestock, and horse team attending state finals in May to give oral reasons for their events. Miami Trace would like to congratulate all the teams and students for their hard work and placings at the state competition. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Saturday March 31, the Parkway FFA Chapter sent students to the Ohio State Fairgrounds to participate in many different CDE contests. 

The nature interpretation team placed 13th out of 20 teams. Lando Bruns placed 49th, Kameron Roehm placed 56th, Jarret O’Neill Placed 64th and Jordan Strader placed 72nd.

The wildlife management team placed 26th out of 69 teams. Jack Roth placed 54th, Josh Ford placed 98th, Adam Stutz placed 163rd and Brandon Moorman placed 236th.

The equine management team placed 71st out of 124 teams. Brandon Berry placed 223rd, Samantha Wood placed 331st, Hayley Bollenbacher placed 337th and Sierra Williams placed 374th.

The agronomy team placed 20th, overall. Caden Hellwarth placed 86th, Seth Houts placed 91st, Courtney Dickie placed 109th, Tommy McDonough placed 119th, Tyler Matthews placed 117th and Cami Hellwarth placed 122nd.

The Parkway FFA chapter would like to congratulate all of the students on their efforts and success at the state level competition. 

LANSING, Mich. — Winners of the NorthStar Cooperative, Inc. scholarships were recently announced. Paula Blough, of Lowell, Mich.; Ryan Pralle, of Humbard, Wis., and Doug Whicker, of Milroy, Ind., each received a $500 scholarship for continuing their education in the field of agriculture.

Blough is a sophomore at Kansas State University majoring in agricultural communications and journalism. A graduate of Lowell High School, Blough was active in various activities including 4-H and FFA. Through FFA, she earned the Outstanding Chapter Senior award, and was the state winner for the Ag Sales Proficiency award. As a 4-H member, she earned the Outstanding Member Award, Outstanding Senior Dairy Herdsperson Award; as well as the state and county Dairy Award. Today, Blough is active at Kansas State as a member of the Dairy Science Club and Ag Communications of Tomorrow. Blough is the daughter of Carlton and Brenda, of Blough Brothers Dairy Farm.

Wicker is a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in agricultural economics and animal science. Along with concentrating on his studies, Wicker is actively involved on campus as a representative on the Purdue Agricultural Council and is a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, Collegiate FFA and the Purdue Dairy Club. Wicker is also a member of the Indiana Holstein Assoc. Wicker graduated second in his class from Rushville Consolidated High School. Wicker was equally as active and involved prior to attending Purdue, holding various leadership positions and earning many awards in school, 4-H and FFA. Wicker is the son of J.D. and Rebecca.

The NorthStar Cooperative Scholarship program was established in 2005 to encourage post high school study in the field of agriculture for stockowners and their children. Eligible candidates must be a stockowner of the Cooperative or a son or daughter of a stockowner. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement, current or potential leadership, and interest in pursuing a career in agriculture. 

Visit northstarcooperative.com for complete details on future scholarship opportunities.