With the end of the year approaching rapidly, the Bowling Green FFA participated in many various activities. The chapter held their annual pancake breakfast, attended the District 1 Banquet, and held their May meeting.
Members participated in the last Career Development Events (CDEs) of the year. On March 1, Eddie Eschedor, Cole Brokaw and Hunter Sockman participated in the District 1 Ag Mechanics and Outdoor Power Equipment CDEs at Four County Career Center. The team placed fifth in Ag Mechanics. This contest involved 10 skill stations including welding, cutting with a torch, soldering, lubricant and fuel identification, precise measuring, and identification of tools. The team placed second in Outdoor Power Equipment which qualified them for the state competition. This contest involved identification of parts and tools, troubleshooting engines, electrical wiring, removing and putting in valves, and more. The team competed against the top 20 teams in the state competition at Ohio State ATI on April 25. The team placed 1st in the state.
A group of members attended the District 1 Spring Invitational CDEs on March 7 at the Fulton County Fairgrounds.
- Torie Rosales, Kaylee Bishop and Audrina Layfield participated in the Equine Judging contest and placed 16th in the district.
- The 10th place Poultry Judging team consisted of Wyatt Bechstein, Zack Bechstein and Cole Brokaw.
- The 18th place General Livestock Judging team consisted of Madison Carrillo, Henry Strow, Drew Thomas, Kate Howick, and Lillie Wilkie.
- The 9th place Wildlife team consisted of Peyton Bosworth, Caden Wisniewski, Evan Romero, Ethan Helvoigt, Cece Marovich, and Emma Ferguson.
- The Agronomy team placed 10th. Team members were Eddie Eschedor, Hunter Sockman, James Feehan and Cole Instone.
- Casey Naus and Brody Garman participated in the Meats Contest and placed 10th.
The Senior Ag Business class hosted a hydroponic salad luncheon for the staff at the high school. The members raised the lettuce in the greenhouse and then served it to the teachers after it was freshly harvested. It was a great way to educate the public about a different way to raise our food.
The 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 officer teams hosted their annual pancake breakfast to show our appreciation of the teachers. The officers prepared pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit, danishes, and drinks. The rest of the day, the officers served other FFA members in the classes. Biggby Coffee and Gary Dible donated coffee for the event.
The chapter also helped package trees for the Wood County SWCD tree sale. Overall over 3,000 trees were packed to help support natural resource conservation.
Some of the 2023-2024 officer team members attended the District 1 banquet and officer training at Oregon-Clay High School. While they were there, the chapter was recognized for district placings that the chapter accomplished in CDEs. The officers also attended workshops to help them develop their program of activities for the next year.
The chapter helped host the fourth grade ag fest again this year. At this event, members brought in different animals to make a petting zoo for the fourth graders from BGCS, St. Al’s and BG Montessori. This was held at the Wood County Fairgrounds in cooperation with the Wood County OSU Extension on May 17. Some of the animals that were included this year were pigs, cows, chickens, goats, a donkey and a mini horse. Fourth graders learned all about agriculture including soils, animals, and drones.
BG FFA ended the year with the May monthly meeting. They met the new officer team, enjoyed popsicles and ice cream for their refreshments, and played a game of kickball.
BG FFA is a satellite program of Penta Career Center.
