Catoctin FFA Attends 89th National FFA Convention in October

Megan McIntosh

National FFA convention is held every year and attracts FFA members from every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. The 89th National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 17-22, 2016. While at the convention, 21 Catoctin FFA members joined over 59,000 other FFA members. Throughout the week, members were able to participate in sessions, workshops, and a career expo. Also, members competed in Career Development Events, more often referred to as CDEs. To complete a CDE, each team (or individual) learns about their subject and rehearses their task in preparation for state convention. Every state gets to send one winning team per CDE to advance to nationals. Several CDEs are offered; this year, Catoctin FFAs Agricultural Issues and Agricultural Marketing teams advanced to nationals.

Catoctin’s agricultural issue team chose an issue they felt was relevant to their agricultural community. They then came up with an interesting way to explain their issue. The team decided to explain the controversy over raw milk in the form of a skit. Agricultural marketing choose a company and presented ways they could improve their business. Our chapter chose Vista View Farms, a new sheep farm. See below for Catoctin FFA results in these categories.

Three chapters in Maryland were recognized at this year’s convention. This is based off of an application the chapter completes to showcase some of their activities throughout the year. To qualify for the award, your chapter must complete at least fifteen activities: one for each of the five quality standards in each of the three divisions. Catoctin was one of the three eligible chapters from Maryland and was recognized nationally as a two-star chapter.

Catoctin FFA Delegates: Madison Feltner, Carley Flora, Maddie Godlove, Robert Hahn, Shelby Hahn, Hannah Hartness, Mackenzie Henderson, Jimmy Kempisty, Stephanie Kennedy, Phil Kolb, Maddie Krantz, Tiffany Lenhart, Brandon Marshall, Ashley McAfee, Megan McIntosh, Nicki Milbourne, Zack Milbourne, Megan Millison, Stephanie Moreland, Jacob Shriver, and Savannah Stull.