Montana FFA Celebrates Successful State Convention

by Colter Brown

Over 1,650 members and guests attended Montana FFA’s 93rd Annual State Convention March 21st – 25th, in Great Falls, Montana.  The Montana FFA State Convention hosted 22 career development events, general sessions and workshops during the four-day event. The winning teams earn the opportunity to compete at the National FFA Convention which will take place this fall in Indianapolis, IN. 

New State FFA Officers were selected and are as follows:  Jake Chulyak – President from Big Timber, Summit Browning – 1st VP from Gardiner, Shaun Billingsley – 2nd VP from Missoula, Emily Coles – Secretary from Roundup, Lance Rutledge – Treasurer from Big Sandy, Haley Rigler – Reporter from Livingston, Gunnar LaHaug – Sentinel from Ronan, and Ayla Yoder – Parliamentarian from Plentywood.

The Beaverhead chapter from Dillon took home the title of Star Chapter.   Riley Jones of Miles City was named Star State Greenhand with Jake Chulyak from Big Timber being announced as the Star in Agribusiness.  Montana’s Star in Agriculture Placement went to Summit Browning of Gardiner, and Gavin Garrison of Dillon earned the title of State Star Farmer.  T

he individual sweepstakes title went to Ethan Bay of Kalispell, followed by Wyatt Isaacs of Miles City and Shaun Billingsley from Missoula.   Finally, the team sweepstakes title went to the Kalispell FFA Chapter followed by Missoula and Beaverhead.  The sweepstakes award recognizes the chapter who places highest in four of the five major state convention competitions. 

Over 250 Day of Service participants teamed up with three locations in the Great Falls area to lend a helping hand.  The combined work effort of these student volunteers totaled over 500 hours to improve the city of Great Falls, as well as community businesses and organizations. 

Montana Business and Industry representatives sponsored the event as well as promoted their businesses during the two-day FFA Tradeshow.  Individuals who were recognized as Honorary FFA Degree recipients were Rob Yates (Montana Ag Teacher President), Mark Sinnard (National Marketing Contest Committee Member), Curt Robbins (FFA Foundation President), Susan Fraser (MSU Dean of Ag Assistant), Kipp Gilmour (FFA Supporter), Jamie Lannen (FFA Supporter), Kira Bailey (FFA Supporter) and Lyle Armstrong (longtime FFA supporter). 

Additionally, speakers and special guests included Governor Greg Gianforte, Sen. Steve Daines, National FFA Secretary Jessica Herr from Pennsylvania and Dr. Laymon Hicks from Top Youth Speakers. 

Montana FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, please contact the Montana FFA Association for upcoming events and ways to get involved.

Career Development Event Results are:   High placing individual, followed by high team.

Agricultural Issues

Team: Corvallis

Agricultural Sales CDE:

Individual: Sophie Banzet – Kalispell

Team: Billings

Agronomy CDE:

Individual: Ethan Bay – Kalispell

Team: Kalispell

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE (mechanics):

Individual:  Isaac Cantlon – Mission Valley

Team: Mission Valley (Ronan)

Creed Speaking CDE:

Individual: Riley Jones – Miles City

Jr. Creed Speaking CDE:

Individual: Mekhi Cochran – Shepherd

Extemporaneous Speaking CDE:

Individual: Rylee Glimm – Kalispell

Farm Business Management CDE:

Individual: Ethan Bay – Kalispell

Team: Big Timber

Floriculture

Individual: Jenny Harris – Joliet

Team: Park City

Food Science

Individual: Alexa Woods – Gardiner

Team: Gardiner

Conduct of Meetings CDE

Team: Shepherd

Forestry

Individual: Ethan Bay – Kalispell

Team: Missoula

Horse Evaluation

Individual: Brock Boyer – Big Horn (Hardin)

Team: Mission Valley

Marketing Plan

Team: Corvallis

Meats

Individual: Shaun Billingsley – Missoula

Team: Missoula

Poultry

Individual: Rabecca Lynn- Hobson

Team: Hobson

Vet Science

Individual: Weston Sondeno – Big Timber

Team: Big Timber

Livestock Judging CDE:

Individual: Coleton Sherman – Mission Valley

Team: Big Timber

Environmental and Natural Resources

Individual: Joel Warneke – Winifred

Team: Winifred

Employment Skills

Individual: Claire Murnin – Shepherd

Parliamentary Procedure CDE:

Team: Shepherd

Prepared Public Speaking CDE:

Individual: Carly Friedrich – Plentywood

Agriscience Fair:

Overall winners in each area:

  • Kadence Nelson – Grass Range – Animal Systems 1
  • Janae Roberts – Sweet Grass Hills – Social Systems 1
  • Vince Taylor – Sweet Grass Hills – Environmental/Natural Systems 1
  • Bethan Lane – Augusta – Food Products and Processing 1
  • Nick Bucklin – Sweet Grass Hills – Power Systems 1
  • Ella Fryberger – Simms – Power, Structural and Technical Systems 1
  • Aliyah Lopez & Sofia Sheehan – Grass Range – Animal Systems 2
  • Morgan Feist – Simms – Social Systems 3
  • Kallen Fitzpatrick – Sweet Grass Hills – Environmental/Natural Systems 3
  • Eli Bodner – Belt – Food Products and Processing 3
  • Coleton Sherman – Mission Valley – Animal Systems 5
  • Cheyanne Dame – Baker – Environmental/Natural Systems 5
  • Lauren Weidow – Corvallis – Plant Systems 5
  • Ella Lane & Kaydin Kumpula – Shepherd – Plant Systems 6

State Talent Winner – Cort Fraker – Forsyth

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MT FFA Association

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