RANDOLPH — One team from Randolph Central School’s FFA will advance to the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this October.
Five FFA members who make up Randolph’s Livestock Evaluation team will be representing New York state at the national convention when they compete Oct. 23-25. The team includes Grady Steward, Nick Beaver, Taylor Hayes, Katrina Schrantz and alternate Nichole Smith.
Last week, the team placed first at the state competition in Syracuse and now has the chance to compete at the national convention. At the state fairgrounds, Beaver took first; Steward placed second; Hayes, sixth; Smith, ninth; and Schrantz, 10th.
Arissa Hitchcock, ag teacher and FFA advisor, said this is Randolph’s second year in a row representing New York in the Livestock Evaluation event and going to the nationals. She said they competed with over 50 participants this year, and all Randolph competitors placed in the Top 10.
“They judged a class of four animals that they placed in order, from best to worst, in six classes — two beef, two sheep, one meat goat and one swine class,” she said. “They were asked questions in two of the classes where they were only able to use their notes. Lastly, they had to verbally give reasons on why they placed how they did to two classes in front of a judge.”
In her third year as ag teacher at Randolph’s high school, Hitchcock will accompany the students to the national competition. She said they won’t be doing a lot of sightseeing because they want to get back by Oct. 26 for Homecoming.
THE FFA STUDENTS have accomplished a lot this summer, Hitchcock said. They have worked hard to achieve the success they have experienced so far and continue their time and effort to do well at the nationals.
Bryson Pitts competed in the state contest held July 24 at the Genesee County Fair for Tractor Driving, Safety and Welding. Taking first place, he will represent New York at the Big E in Springfield, Mass., in September. The Big E is America’s Premier Exposition and the world’s only multi-state fair, representing all six New England states.
“We walked with a State Champ in Tractor Driving — Bryson Pitts,” she said. “He will prepare by continuing to work on the farm where he is employed and will go over safety and tractor parts in class.”
Hitchcock said four Randolph girls took third place Aug. 25 in the state Horse Evaluation competition. Individually, Allison Conti took ninth place; Mariah LaRoy, 13th; Aryana Sears 14th and Taylor Costa, 16th. They judged six classes on the conformation of horses and riding patterns, gave two sets of reasons, and also completed two group activities.
On Aug. 29, the competition was stiff with about 75 students on 18 teams competing in Dairy Evaluation. Hitchcock said the team consisting of Taylor Costa, Kaleb Durow, Olivia Shawley and Sadie Steward placed second and Olivia Shawley placed 10th, individually, in the state competition. She said they will also advance to the Big E in Massachusetts.
Hitchcock said the students start preparing locally at the county fair. They have practices for judging and reasons for the results in the classroom before they travel on to other competitions.
“Before we go to the national competition and to the Big E, we do farm visits so we can practice and learn from professionals in the field,” she said. “I also work with the FFA students to focus on EPD (expected progeny differences that have been applied to improve the genetics of beef cattle) readings and group activities that have been seen in previous years at nationals.”
ACCORDING TO the FFA website, the organization’s 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.
Hitchcock said FFA is no longer known as Future Farmers of America because it’s not just about farming anymore. She said FFA gives students many opportunities to get into the agricultural world.
“This year I started a new class called Career Development and Leadership Development Events,” she said. “I thought the class would be a great opportunity for the students to get better at what they want to be great at. If a student is really interested in competing and wants to be really good at it, we can spend time focusing on it.”
As one of the largest annual student conventions in the world, nearly 70,000 students, teachers, school administrators, former FFA members and guests from throughout the country are expected to attend the convention Oct. 23 through Oct. 26.
More information about the National FFA Convention & Expo can be found online at convention.ffa.org.
