Buckingham High FFA competes at 98th State Convention

Published 10:32 am Friday, July 19, 2024

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Buckingham County High’s Future Farmers of America recently competed at the 98th annual Virginia FFA State Convention. That was held June 24 to June 27, on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. 

Buckingham FFA

Pictured are the Proficiency competitors Jenna Oliver and Noah Jones.

The chapter received multiple recognition awards, including Gold Level for Public Relations and Silver Rated for the National Chapter Award. The Public Relations award is an award based on how the chapter communicates with the public and the National Chapter Award is based on the chapter’s activities throughout the year.

As far as overall placement, here’s how the Buckingham teams did: 

Buckingham FFA

Pictured are the Junior Ag Mechanics competitors, from left, Luke Gilliam, Trent Ragland, Ryland Carter and Tuck Wooten.

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• The Senior Horse Hippology team placed 7th overall and members consisted of Adelynne Baugher, Amiah Porter, Piper Scialdo, and Anna Snoddy. Contestants had to complete a written test about equipment, information about breeds, and anatomy/physiology of a horse. They also had to identify equipment used in the equine industry and judge classes of horses. 

Buckingham FFA

Pictured are the Senior Horse Hippology competitors, from left, Anna Snoddy, Piper Scialdo, Amiah Porter and Adelynne Baugher.

• Sarah Bryant, Andrew Dorrier, Ben Gilliam, and Noah Jones competed in the Nursery/Landscape Contest. Their contest consisted of identifying plants, insects, and tools, a written exam, and landscaping design estimate. They placed 7th as a team. 

Buckingham FFA

Pictured are the Nursery/Landscape competitors, from left, Noah Jones, Ben Gilliam, Andrew Dorrier and Sarah Bryant.

• The Veterinary Science Team consisted of Grace Martin, Alexandra Morris, Abigail Palmore, and Leigha Pleasants. Members of the Veterinary Science Team had to complete a case study about rabbits that included general knowledge, math practicum, tool identification, breed identification, hands-on practicum, and a team problem. The team placed 22nd overall 

• This year, the group had a Jr. Agricultural Mechanics Team that competed as well. The team placed 13th overall. Their contest consisted of identifying tools, a written exam, measuring activity, welding practicum, electrical practicum, and math practicum. Team members included Ryland Carter, Luke Gilliam, Trent Ragland, and Tuck Wooten. 

Three members of the chapter received their State FFA Degree on Thursday, June 22. The State FFA Degree is the 4th highest of the five degrees a FFA member may earn. Among other qualifications members that receive the State FFA Degree must have a successful S. A. E., be a member of the FFA for the past 24 months and completed at least 360 hours of agricultural education. Members who received their State FFA degree are Andrew Dorrier, Noa Jones and Amiah Porter.

Buckingham FFA

Pictured are the Veterinary Science competitors, from left, Leigha Pleasants, Alexandra Morris, Grace Martin and Abiagail Palmore.

Two members won their division of the Proficiency Award Program. Jenna Oliver was the state winner for the Equine Science Placement Division. This award program was based on her application that was formed from her working at Sprouse’s Corner Ranch, LLC. Noah Jones was the state winner for the Forestry Management and Products Placement Division. His application was based on him working at S.R. Jones Logging Company. Both of these members’ applications have been sent to the national level for judging. Results from that judging will be announced in August.