The Winnfield FFA had several teams compete in the State FFA Career Development Events. The competitions were held virtually due to COVID-19 the first two weeks of March with an online awards ceremony March 19th.
The Poultry Evaluation CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ abilities to select top quality poultry and poultry products needed for successful production and marketing. Event participants must evaluate classes of live birds for eggs and meat production, give oral reasons, evaluate quality of eggs and evaluate and identify parts and products. The team members include Joseph Carrithers, Olivia Busha, Eli Little, and Alyssa Johnson (all Freshmen). These students finished 4th in Area II and in the top 25% at the state level.
The Milk Quality and Products CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ knowledge about the quality production, processing, distribution, promotion and marketing of milk and dairy products. Event participants must be able to identify cheeses, evaluate the properties of milk products, and answer questions about milk production and the marketing of dairy products. Blue (senior) team members include: Macy McFarland, Chloe Whisonant, Jacob Jones, and Olivia Baxley. This team achieved 2nd place in Area II and 6th in State. Gold (junior) team members include: Daisy Guerrero, Gracelyn Chevallier, Maggie Bruce, and Jaci Mixon. This team earned 4th place in Area II.
The Electricity CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ abilities to demonstrate wiring skills, analyze, interpret, and wire electrical scenarios. Event participants are given a written test covering electrical theory and National Electrical Code, and are given a wiring scenario that they assess and produce a schematic, diagram, and wire the scenario. Blue team consisting of Parker Carlino earned 2nd place in Area II and the gold team consisting of Annie Heard earned 3rd place in the area.
The Nursery/Landscape CDE is a competitive event that tests students skills in horticultural principles, from landscape design to nursery propagation. Event participants are given a written test covering parts of the nursery and landscape industries including basic plant science. In addition to this, students identify shrubs, trees, annuals, and landscaping equipment. Blue team consisting of Peyton Little, Anna Little, Brina Broomfield, and Anna Little earned 1st place in Area II and 4th place in state. Gold team consisting of Mackenzie Green, Alyssa VanBlaricum, Olivia Files, and Ashanna Wyatt earned 3rd place in Area II.
The Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE is a competitive event that develops students’ skills needed for careers in the meat animal industry. Event participants judge carcasses, cuts of meat, identify retail cuts of meat, and take a test covering meat science, food safety, and USDA regulations. Blue team consisting of David Simmons, Connor Johnston, Addison Jacobsen, and Emilee Mixon earned 1st place in Area II and 4th place in state. Gold team consisting of Kadence Blundell earned 4th place in Area II.
FFA is a national organization containing over 700,000 members practicing leadership and preparing for careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. In the Winnfield FFA Chapter alone, we have 150 members. The FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
