Olympia FFA Competes in Section 9 Agronomy and Meats Career Development Events

[December 19, 2017] 

The agronomy and meats Career Development Events were on November 29, 2017. After practicing for several weeks; nine Olympia FFA members competed at the event in Forrest, IL.

The agronomy team consisted of Rebekah Magee, Lindsey Gibson, Jake Mitchell, and Lane Schweigert who competed by identifying weeds, crops, agronomic equipment, and insect pest. These FFA members also evaluated a ring of soybeans and corn. A written test was also included.

Congrats to freshmen Jake Mitchell who was high individual on the Olympia team that placed sixth. “This event was great exposure for me to learn more about this agricultural field of study,” stated Mitchell.

This year’s meat judging team had 5 members, Dawson Banister, Cavit Schempp, Molly Schempp, Lane Miller, and Aaron Baker. Meats judging involves identifying 25 cuts of beef, lamb, and pork, a carcass, ham and loin placing classes, and yield grading of carcasses.

Junior Lane Miller placed in the top 10 in meat judging and the team was fourth overall!

Senior Aaron Baker stated, “I thought it was a great experience. It was a lot of fun learning all the different cuts of meat in preparation for this contest. We would also like to thank the Atlanta Meat Locker for allowing us to tour their business for one of our practices.”

[Bryce Hoffman]