Indianapolis, IN (November, 1st 2023) – 70,000 FFA members from across the country converged on Indianapolis last week for the 96th Annual National FFA Convention. Members of the South Harrison FFA attended and represented the state of West Virginia in the National Nursery/Landscape Competition, received a three-star rating in the National Chapter Award Competition, and received the long-awaited results for members Madison Stonestreet and Cooper Folmsbee in the National Proficiency Competitions.
Members Bennett Lou, Olivia Marshall, Sean Bell and Cierra Haught competed in the Nursery/Landscape competition and earned a bronze rating as a team with Bennett Lou receiving gold medalist distinction individually. Participants in the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) tests student’s skills in maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services and performing landscape design.
FFA President Hope Woods and Vice President Spencer Nolan were on the national stage accepting the chapters three-star rating in the National Chapter Award Competition. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards (NQCS) and a Program of Activities (POA) that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Madison Stonestreet and Cooper Folmsbee who were both named National Finalist this summer in the proficiency award competition, were named National Runner-Ups in Agricultural Sales and Beef Production respectively. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.
Nationally, students can compete for awards in nearly 50 areas ranging from agricultural communications to wildlife management (see areas below). Proficiency awards are also recognized at local and state levels and provide recognition to members who are exploring and becoming established in agricultural career pathways.
