DECATUR, Ind. — The Bellmont FFA poultry teams participated in the state competition, at Battleground Middle School, on May 16. There they judged past production hens, dressed birds, exterior and interior eggs, and broken out eggs.

Bellmont’s top team (gold) placed second of all the FFA teams competing at state. Bellmont’s second team (blue) followed closely behind, earning third. Five out of Bellmont’s eight competitors achieved a position as one of the top 10 individuals. They are Jarret Bailey, third place; Kady Fuhrmann, fourth; Jarron Gerwig, sixth; Marilyn Melcher, ninth; and Paige LeMaster, 10th.

The bans on live poultry events in Midwest states won’t affect FFA members much, if at all. According to Steve Hickey, director of leadership programs for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, "The State FFA Convention June 15-19 will have over 600 FFA members competing in a wide variety of Leadership and Career Development Events; however, no live animals are allowed in any of those contest areas." The State FFA/4-H Poultry Judging Career Development Event will not take place again until May 2016.