News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — More than 100 Indiana FFA members from across the state will be competing at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo next week, Oct. 23-26, in a variety of Career and Leadership Development Events, the Agriscience Fair and Agricultural Proficiency Awards.

“I am always impressed with the talent, leadership and work ethic of Indiana FFA members,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Best of luck to each Indiana FFA member competing on the national stage at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo right here in Indianapolis.”

Students will be competing in career development events such as Environment and Natural Resources, Forestry, Agronomy, Livestock Evaluation and Parliamentary Procedure. Others will be competing in leadership development events such as Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Agricultural Issues Forum and Creed Speaking.

The National FFA Agriscience Fair is an additional key competition that is part of the annual National FFA Convention & Expo. Individuals or teams conduct scientific research projects pertaining to the agriculture industry in their state in one of six categories: animal systems, environmental services/natural resource systems, food products and processing systems, plant systems, power, structural and technical systems or social science.

“Hats off to all of the Indiana FFA members who have qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention and Expo. The level of dedication and commitment to make it to such a high level is no doubt also thanks to the FFA advisers, parents and community supporting these young leaders and ag professionals,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director. “Each student has certainly already made their home state proud, and we look forward to celebrating them next week.”

Indiana FFA members will also compete nationally with their Agricultural Proficiencies, which honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.

The following area students will be competing at the 97th National FFA Convention:

Argos FFA

Cailey Markley, Specialty Crop Production Proficiency

Caston FFA

• Braden Rush, Parliamentary Procedure
• Mason Prenatt, Parliamentary Procedure
• Madisyn Douglass, Parliamentary Procedure
• Ashley Fred, Parliamentary Procedure
• Alexander Ault, Parliamentary Procedure
• Myli Rude, Parliamentary Procedure
• Josiah Helt, Parliamentary Procedure

Churubusco FFA

• Kenna Alexander, Environment & Natural Resources
• Merisa Bogard, Environment & Natural Resources
• Samuel Troendly, Environment & Natural Resources
• Wyatt Overdeer, Environment & Natural Resources

Columbia City FFA

• Carly Linnemeier, Agricultural Sales
• Caden Poling, Agricultural Sales
• Kyle Porter, Agricultural Sales
• Karaline Schuman, Agricultural Sales
• Lillianne Patterson, Veterinary Science
• Kaytlynn Bryant, Veterinary Science
• Logan Good, Veterinary Science
• Jessalyn Hoskins, Veterinary Science
• Kyle Porter, Agriculture Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency

Manchester FFA

• Clark Showalter, Forestry
• Thane Metzger, Forestry
• Grace Hall, Forestry
• Layne Showalter, Forestry

Whitko FFA

• Kohen Schipper, Livestock Evaluation
• Anna Sickafoose, Livestock Evaluation
• Lillie Sickafoose, Livestock Evaluation
• Carle Sroufe, Livestock Evaluation