Agriculture and natural resources students recognized at Maine FFA convention

Students of the Maine FFA Association (formerly Future Farmers of America) participated in the State convention earlier this month at the University of Maine in Orono where they engaged in competitions, tours, and awards in recognition of their 2015-16 accomplishments in agriculture and natural resources.

Recipients of scholarships to the Washington Leadership Conference, a one week leadership training organized by the National FFA, are recognized. Scholarships were presented on the basis of an application expressing learning objectives, as well as letters of recommendation.
Ms. Randi Rackleff of the Somerset Auction Company presents a $884 check for the auction proceeds of the 2016 Agricultural Trades Show to the Maine FFA Association.
Dr. David Marcinkowski of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension leads Maine FFA students in the Dairy Cattle Evaluation event, testing their skills in judging the quality of dairy cows.
Student representatives and Teacher/Chapter FFA Advisor Katie Osediacz from the Landscaping & Horticulture programs of Sanford Regional Technical Center accept the 2016 State Convention Best FFA Spirit Chapter Award, based on professional behavior and diplomacy.
State FFA President Dayna McCrum presents the 2016 Honorary State Degrees, based on exemplary support to the Maine FFA, to David Smith, teacher at Region Ten Technical High School in Brunswick, Meg Harvey, Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) at the Maine Department of Education, Nigel Norton, Education Specialist in CTE at the Maine Department of Education, and Steve Brown, National FFA Advisor.

Over 200 students from secondary and middle school classes related to agriculture and natural resources, advisors, university faculty, and judges from many private and public organizations gathered for the two-day event.

Special guests from the over 650,000 member National FFA Organization included National Vice President Abrah Meyer, National Advisor Steve Brown and National Alumni Representative Mark Milby. Maine’s officer team for the 88 year-old student leadership organization included State President Dayna McCrum, State Vice President Jason Gurley, and State Secretary-Treasurer Jordan White, who were assisted by FFA State Advisor Doug Robertson and support staff members Faith Beaudoin and Elaine Briggs.

Maine FFA is supported by funding from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as well as by a number of private and public sponsors who were recognized at the awards banquet.

Membership in Maine FFA, which features over $10,000 in scholarships and awards, offers many opportunities for recognition and leadership development for its nearly 500 members. In addition, there is access to over $2 million in national FFA scholarships and leadership training programs that are open to secondary and middle school students enrolled in classes related to agriculture and natural resources including technical courses in areas such as horticulture, forestry and natural resources, as well as science classes with agricultural applications.

For more information contact Maine FFA State Advisor Doug Robertson at 624-6744 or doug.robertson@maine.gov.