From ELMWOOD FFA
Nine Elmwood FFA members received the American FFA Degree at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo last month in Indianapolis.
Members Madison Feehan, Will Harrison, Adam Meyer, Anna Meyer, Tanner Pennington, Anthony Veryser, Thomas Veryser, Gregory Wise, and Garrett Ziegler put in the work necessary to achieve the highest degree in the organization.
This year is the third time the chapter has had that many members earn the top degree. Nine Elmwood FFA members received American FFA Degrees in 2010 and 2011.
“Earning the American FFA Degree takes hard work and dedication over the four years of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE),” said Elmwood FFA chapter adviser and ag teacher Krysteena Lawrence.
Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. While this year over 4,800 American Degrees were awarded, that number represents less than 0.5% of FFA members. Sponsored by Cargill, Case IH, John Deere, and Syngenta, the gold key award and certificate recognize demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing, or service programs.
To be eligible, FFA members must have earned at least $10,000 or earned at least $2,000 and worked at least 2,250 hrs. outside of class time through their SAE program in which they own their own business, hold a professional position as an employee or conduct research. Recipients must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through the completion of a long list of FFA and community activities.
Elmwood’s 2024 American FFA Degree recipients
Madison Feehan previously received the State FFA Degree, Star Chapter Farmer and Chapter Star in Agribusiness. She was chapter vice president and served as secretary for two years. Her SAE project was a sheep breeding operation where she raised and showed Tunis and Romney sheep at local, state and national competitions. Feehan participated in State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure, State Farm Business Management and State Agronomy, all Career Development Events. Feehan said she learned teamwork and self-confidence through her FFA experiences. She is attending Bowling Green State University pursuing a degree in special education.
Will Harrison received the Wagner Memorial Award, 1st Place Elmwood FFA Diversified Crop Production Proficiency Award, 1st place Elmwood FFA Forage Production Proficiency Award and the Citrus Sales Award. He was chapter reporter in 2021-22. His FFA projects and SAE work included a straw business and Harrison Farms. For Career Development Events, Harrison participated in Soil Judging, Poultry Judging, State Agronomy CDE, Grain Merchandizing and Farm Business Management. Through his time in FFA, he learned agronomy, mechanics, public speaker and parliamentary procedure. Harrison is a student at Ohio State University majoring in agricultural systems management with plans to return to the family farming operation after graduating.
Adam Meyer earned the Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA Degrees, 1st place in District 1 Treasurer’s Book, State Gold Rated Treasurer’s Book, and 7th Place in State Agronomy CDE. In the chapter, he served as treasurer and parliamentarian. His FFA projects and SAE work included Benschoter Hay and Straw LLC, general equipment maintenance, M&M Seed Saving helping with inventory and taking care of orders and part owner of AGO Trail Mix. His Career Development Event participation included Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, Ag. Power Diagnostics, Ag. Mechanics Skills, Outdoor Power, State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure, Grain Merchandising, State Agronomy. Meyer said FFA taught him agronomy identification, mechanics, public speaking and parliamentary procedure. He plans to return to the family farm and become a retail salesperson for M&M Seed after graduating from Ohio State University, where he is majoring sustainable plant systems and agronomy.
Anna Meyer received the State FFA Degree, State Gold Rated Treasurers Book and Star Chapter Farmer Award. She was an active officer at Elmwood, previously serving as president, treasurer and sentinel. Her Career Development Events participation included State Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, State Farm Business Management, Poultry Evaluation and State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure. She said FFA taught her networking, leadership, communication, and teamwork. She is a student at Ohio State University majoring in agricultural communication, with the goal to pursue a career in marketing, graphic design and communication in the agricultural industry.
Tanner Pennington, who was a chapter sentinel, received 1st place District Parliamentary Procedure, 2nd place District Agronomy and 3rd place District Ag Mechanics. His SAE included market hogs production, firewood production and working at Benschoter Hay and Straw LLC. The Career Development Events he participated in included State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, Poultry Evaluation, State Grain Merchandising, Soil Judging, Ag Mechanic Skills, State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure and State Agronomy. FFA helped teach him public speaking, responsibility and time management. Currently, he is a student at Ohio State University majoring in pre-veterinary studies with plans to apply for veterinary school.
Anthony Veryser received the Ag Credit 110% Award and the Scott Crawford Memorial Award. He was chapter historian from 2020-22 and president from 2022-23. His FFA projects and SAE work included breeding and market rabbits, market sheep, and market pigs. For Career Development Events, he participated in Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, Creed Speaking, Job Interview, State Farm Business Management and State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure. He said the skills he learned in FFA were leadership, public speaking, how to deal with adversity, scheduling/planning for an organization, attention to detail, and how to run a meeting. He is a student at the University of Toledo majoring in civil engineering with a minor in surveying, with plans to obtain Professional Engineering and Survey Licensure.
Thomas Veryser received the Star Greenhand Degree, Gold Rated Reporter’s Book, and Soil and Water Conservation Award. In the chapter, he was reporter and learned leadership and organizational skills and how to properly run a meeting. His FFA project and SAE work included tending grain crop fields, working on the family farm and taking care of livestock. He participated in Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, State Farm Business Management, State Outdoor Power, State Advanced Parliamentary Procedure and Meat Evaluation. He will continue working on the family farm and at Casey’s Sales and Service as a mechanic.
Gregory Wise received the Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA Degrees, and was the student adviser for the chapter. His FFA projects and SAE work included buying and selling farm equipment, working for Wagner Farms and baling 6,000 bales of straw a year. He participated in Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, State Farm Business Management and Ag Mechanics Skills, and learned accountability and leadership skills in FFA. He plans to continue to bale straw and work for Wagner Farms and Precision Plumbing and Drain.
Garrett Ziegler earned a Top 10 award in fruit sales and was chaplain of the chapter. His FFA projects and SAE work included dairy beef feeders, market steers, lawn care and working at Mid-Wood Cooperative. He participated in State Soil Judging, State Novice Parliamentary Procedure, General Livestock, Ag Mechanic Skills and State Farm Business Management. FFA taught him woodworking, welding, teamwork and life skills. He is a student at Ohio State University studying ag business and applied economics with plans to pursue a career in ag sales or loans.
“Normally, only a few students from the chapter earn the award each year, but not this year. Having nine students earn this award in one year is simply amazing,” Lawrence said. “Watching them walk across the stage at the National FFA Convention made my teacher-heart so full. They have left their mark on the FFA Chapter and set the bar high for our current FFA members.”
