Trending
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Big things are happening for the Big Valley FFA Chapter, which attended the 2024 PA FFA State Convention and Activities Week, held June 11-13 at the Pennsylvania State University.
Nearly 2,000 FFA members, advisors, supporters and guests gathered throughout the three days to compete, judge and celebrate Pennsylvania's FFA members. State FFA officers from Maryland and Delaware also attended to hold leadership workshops.
"State Convention is a great opportunity for students to learn, grow and meet members from all over the state. Our current members have never attended, so it was everyone's first time," said Big Valley FFA Advisor, Nicolette Cusate. "There's nothing quite like seeing that many FFA members in one place to compete for a shot to bring home the gold and represent their chapter well at the state level."
Nine Big Valley FFA members attended the convention to compete in various events. Kendra Harlon competed in the Floriculture contest, where one of the contest components was to create a floral arrangement. Phoebe Keiser competed in Meats Evaluation and Technology, where her contest consisted of grading carcasses and evaluating meat quality at the Penn State Meats Lab.
Members Alivia Snook, Claudia Rheam, Olivia Fisher and Montana McKee competed as a team in the Livestock Evaluation contest. Their contest included judging livestock classes, giving oral reasons and judging a keep/cull class.
"At State Convention, my team and I competed in Livestock Evaluation where we gave reasons about why we placed the animals. State Convention was a great experience and I'm excited to attend again next year," said Big Valley FFA President, Montana McKee.
Lily Breon and Savannah Oden both competed as individuals in the Veterinary Science contest. During the contest, they had to demonstrate specific skills to the judges, including filling a syringe for injections, applying a standing wrap on a horse and the proper restraint of a rabbit. Breon, the second highest placing member from Big Valley FFA, placed 32nd out of 107 competitors.
The chapter also submitted its chapter scrapbook, headed by the 2023-2024 Historian and recent graduate Hayley Carson. The scrapbook received a 3rd place ribbon.
However, it was Morgan Smoker who took home the plaque after being named the first place individual in the state for Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management out of 54 other competitors. Her contest consisted of a general knowledge exam, interpreting a Dairy Herd Improvement report, judging five classes, and giving two sets of oral reasons. In addition to the plaque, she will also receive a check for $100.
But winning should not come as a surprise, as Smoker was on the PA State 4-H Dairy Judging Team, which placed first at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held at the World Dairy Exposition in Wisconsin. As a result of winning, the team had the opportunity to represent the United States at the International Dairy Judging Contest in Scotland in the summer of 2023.
Reflecting on her placement, Smoker said, "Growing up on a dairy farm has made me very passionate about agriculture and the dairy industry, so that is why I chose to compete in the Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management contest. Winning this contest is important to me because I've always enjoyed evaluating cows to help better their genetics and to improve our herd. Thank you to my parents and my dairy judging coaches for helping me get to where I am today."
Smoker, who attended the Mifflin County Academy and recently graduated from Mifflin County High School, plans to continue working at her family's dairy farm, Hollo Home Farm in Belleville, hoping to one day take over the farm with her older sister.