Members of the Otsego Penta FFA Chapter were recognized for excellence during the 95th Ohio FFA Convention on May 4-5 at the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus.
During the 5th session, five Otsego Penta FFA members were bestowed their State FFA Degree. The five members to receive their State Degrees were Grant Belleville, Ethan Bunde, Drew Gase, Ayden McClure and Emma Meek.
The State FFA Degree is the highest degree the state of Ohio can award to an FFA member. The degree recognizes outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, FFA involvement, and school and community activities participation. Less than 2% of FFA members achieve this honor.
Belleville’s SAE was job placement at Belleville Brother’s Meat Market and Belleville Farms. Belleville also raised market steers. Belleville has served as a two-year officer, as sentinel and as vice president. He has competed in agricultural sales, soils, livestock judging and parliamentary procedure. He is the son of Ivan and Robin Belleville
Bunde started his own metals business for his SAE. He creates and builds scoring tables for outdoor ranges. The son of Chris and Angela Bunde has competed in soils, farm business management and Greenhand quiz career development events.
Raising livestock was Gase’s SAE. He raises and shows market pigs and market goats. Gase has competed in parliamentary procedure, farm business management, and Greenhand quiz. He is the son of Bill and Mary Gase.
McClure’s SAE projects included job placement at Dusty Boot’s horse farm and raising market hogs. McClure, the current Chapter FFA president, has competed in parliamentary procedure, soils, job interview, agricultural sales and farm business management. He is the son of Michael and Michelle McClure.
Meek raised livestock for her SAE projects. She raises market pigs and cattle. In FFA Meek has competed in parliamentary procedure, Greenhand quiz and farm business management. She is the daughter of Brent and Wendy Meek.
Three Otsego Penta FFA officers were awarded gold pins during the 4th session. Honored were Chapter Secretary Rylie Kregel, Chapter Reporter Summer Lehsten and Chapter Treasurer Nat Hartman. FFA officers are evaluated on their officer books and record-keeping skills
The agricultural sales team of Ayden McClure, Summer Lehsten, Grant Belleville and Carter Lampe placed second in the state Ag Sales career development event.
As part of the State Convention trip, which they traveled with Bowling Green Penta FFA Chapber, members toured Kalmbach Feeds in Upper Sandusky. They saw and learned how feeds are made for equine, poultry, pigs and cattle. Levi Richards, director of Formula of Champions Show Feed, spoke about feed options and opportunities at Kalmbach Feeds.
Members also spent time at the convention in the career show learning about college programs and opportunities in agribusinesses.
