The team had to complete an exam on the agricultural industry to include welding, mechanics, hydraulics, construction, electricity, mechanical power, concrete, and environmental safety.

The Agricultural Engineering Team members were Joel Bey, Kyle Brockman, Austin Burkhardt, Chris Dues, Brad Jutte, Eric Lochtefeld, Kyle Nietfeld, Bruce Schoen, Jeremy Siegrist, Craig Sutter, Ben Tobe, Adam Pottkotter and Scott Will.

Kyle Nietfeld, son of Jeff and Linda Nietfeld, was the highest finisher for the team, placing 12th out of 295 individuals.

Miami East FFA graduate competes at Big E
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Levi Long, a 2005 graduate of Miami East High School in Casstown, Ohio, recently competed in the Big Eastern Exposition in the area of Big E Star in Agribusiness - Entrepreneurship. Long was given this opportunity after being named the 2006 Ohio Star in Agribusiness. He is the son of Bruce and Nancy Long of Troy, Ohio.

Long started his own business, Long’s Lawn Care, five years ago when he entered Agricultural Education at Miami East. He has grown his business from five customers to more than 60 customers and offers full service lawn care for both residential and commercial customers.

Long was named a State FFA proficiency winner in the state of Ohio four times and was also a past National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award winner from the National FFA Organization.

While at the Big E, Long was interviewed for the title and visited the Big E exhibits. He received a plaque and cash prize for his participation. The Ohio FFA Association, Miami East FFA Alumni Chapter, and the Big E sponsored his trip.

-Submitted by Miami East FFA Reporter Whitney Wagner

This farm news was published in the Sept. 27, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.