WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Each year members of the FFA have a chance to put their skills, hard work and SAE projects to the test by entering them for district evaluation. From there they have a chance to go to state and perhaps even nationals. Miami Trace FFA had four students compete for a proficiency award. 

In the area of Forestry and Management, Charlie Miller has successfully started his own firewood business and sold and marketed over 85 cords of firewood from 2011 to present. Miller harvested dead and nuisance trees from his family farm, then cut, split, and marketed the wood to members of the community for fuel. He has earned over $10,000 and was in the top four awaiting an interview in May to determine his placement before receiving second place.

In the area of swine production entrepreneurship Gus Mitchem started his SAE project two years ago with a six-sow herd. He has worked 1,945 hours with his project. Mitchem sells purebred and crossbred market swine and breeding stock. Any of his left over swine are sold as market. Mitchem was interviewed for being in the top four with his final placement at third. In the area of Diversified Horticulture Tori Wilt has worked for Patchwork Gardens for the past three years. She has worked 1,680 hours and has earned over $12,000. While working, Wilt transplants different flowers and vegetables, sows seed, works in retail and does different office work. She also works in wholesale selling to other greenhouse owners. Wilt was in the top four in the state and awaited an interview in May before receiving first overall. In the area of agricultural processing, Tanner Mick has logged 960 hours at Prime Meats and Deli. His earnings for this placement total $6,000. While at the deli, Tanner’s responsibilities include, cutting meat to customer specifications, inspecting the meat and prep area, cleaning the work area, and identifying retail meat cuts. He was interviewed as a state finalist, ultimately receiving first overall. First place finishers Tori Wilt and Tanner Mick will advance to the national competition in October to determine their final national placement. 

Recently, on May 2 and 3, the Miami Trace FFA Chapter attended the State FFA Convention held at the Ohio State Expo Center. The Chapter attended convention sessions, and listened to four guest speakers Christopher Coleman, Josh Shipp, Jeff Civillico, and Wiley Bailey, Southern Region National Vice President. These speakers entertained the crowd and gave inspiring messages that helped improve member’s leadership skills. 

Sam Jones, a Miami Trace senior, represented the chapter in the State FFA Band. Miami Trace excelled this year in State Career Development Events. We had five state winning Career Development Event teams this year. The Grain Merchandising team received first out of 33 teams participating and 207 individuals, team member Evan Schaefer (first) Charlie Miller (third), Ryan Souther (fifth), and Tyler Horney  (19th). The Dairy Foods placed first out of 35 teams participating and 125 individuals team consisted of Judith Straathof (first), Nicole Straathof (second), Evan Schaefer (fourth), and Jesse Neff (42nd). The Dairy Cattle judging team placed first out of 52 teams, team members were Barbara Sears (sixth), Ginna Climer (seventh), Sam MacGregor (eighth), and Brooke Mossbarger (22nd). The Equine team placed first out of 133 teams and 658 individuals, team members were Blake Pitstick (third), Tabitha Morris (fourth), Abbie Noble (ninth) and Bethany Reiterman (35th). The General Livestock team placed second out of 145 teams and 753 individuals. The team members were Jacob Rose (sixth), Caleb Penwell (seventh), Caroline Hughes (17th), and Brock Wilt (30th). The Meats team placed second, out of 22 teams and 103 individuals team members were Cheyenne Wright (7th), Mikayla Mick (eighth), Kayla Clyburn (ninth), and Blayne Toth (tenth). 

The Novice Parliamentary Procedure team was recognized for winning state. The team consists of Riley Evans, Sara Rowland, Ginna Climer, Kameron Rinehart, Zach Ault, Bethany Reiterman, and Brock Wilt. Riley Evans interviewed as a finalist for the Greenhand Quiz CDE, he was 1st in the state. Katie Frost was recognized as the high individual in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event.  The Dairy Foods, Dairy Cattle, Horse and Novice Parliamentary Procedure will teams will compete in the National Contest in October.

Other awards included officers who received Gold Star ratings on their officer books. Hannah Peterson and Tori Wilt received the reporter’s book gold pin, and Sam MacGregor and Evan Schaefer received the treasurer’s book gold pin. Also, Riley Evans received first place and a gold rating for his Agriscience Fair Project. 

The highest honor that a State FFA Organization can bestow is the State FFA Degree. In order for a member to receive a state degree, he or she needs to earn a gross profit of $3,500 or have worked a minimum of 500 hours for his or her Supervised Agricultural Experience project. In addition, they must productively invest a minimum of $1000. They need to have 25 hours of community development service and 10 hours of home improvement. Members must also participate in at least two Career Development Events, participate in five activities above the chapter level, and maintain at least a 93 percent attendance rate or a 3.75 GPA. The 14 members receiving the degree are the most degrees posted in one year in Miami Trace FFA chapter history. These recipients are Allison Rife, Hannah Peterson, Evan Schaefer, Brooke Mossbarger, Gus Mitchem, Blayne Toth, Chas Grover, Heather Johnston, Hunter Hobbs, Katie Frost, Kayla Clyburn, Courtney Miller, Sam Macgregor, and Mikayla Mick. These members walked across the stage at the 85th Ohio FFA Convention and shook the hand of retiring State FFA President Shelby Faulkner. Throughout the state of Ohio, 752 FFA members received this honor.