News : Benton FFA Fall Career Development Events Recap

The Meats Evaluation team receives 10th place at state. From left to right are JR Becker, Kait Ballard, Marcus Ricklefs, and Katilynn Guldner.

Breck Coffland, Chapter Reporter

The Benton Community FFA participated in four CDEs (Career Development Events) this fall at various locations throughout the state of Iowa.

In August, eight members went to Dyersville Beckman high school to compete at the District Meats Evaluation. Team Blue consisting of Breck Coffland, Noah Kaiser, Haddie Kroneman, and Elijah Kaiser received second place. Team Gold consisting of Kait Ballard, William Kroneman, Marcus Ricklefs, and Samantha Zahradnik received third place. Top ten individual placings were 5th place Noah Kaiser, 6th place Breck Coffland, 7th place Kait Ballard, 9th place Samantha Zahradnik, and 10th place Elijah Kaiser.

Four members to the state FFA Meats Evaluation CDE in Ames held at the Iowa State University Meat Lab. The team of JR Becker, Marcus Ricklefs, Kait Ballard, and Katilynn Guldner placed 10th. Sophomore JR Becker stated, "This year I made a goal for myself to try new CDEs to broaden my horizons. I really enjoyed preparing for this contest and would like to participate again next year."

In September, members competed in Milk Quality AND Products CDE at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and District Soils Evaluation at Hawkeye Community College. The Milk Quality and Products team of Mo Brown, Kait Ballard, Hannah Siek, and Gage Tunesvik received a silver ranking. When asked about his first CDE experience, freshman Gage Tungesvik responded, "I had no idea what the CDE was about and what went into it but I am glad I signed up for the contest. I encourage everyone that hasn't ever competed in a CDE to try it."

At the District Soils CDE there were ten members that competed. The first team was William Kroneman, Noah Kaiser, Cade Volesky, and Kait Ballard. The second team was Samantha Zahradnik, Garrett Crawford, Jack Hartkemeyer, and Bodee Volesky. Colton Kroneman and Colton Bossler participated as individuals. Colton Kroneman said, "I thought that the soils contest was educational and I am looking forward to competing in future years."

In October, seven members competed at the Kirkwood Livestock Judging contest. This was a great learning experience as for most this was their first try at the competition. Participating were freshmen Garrett Crawford, Colton Bossler, Paxton Marak, and Owen Hoyt as well as eighth graders Hannah Sadler, Halle Sobaski, and Kyra Kauder. When asked about her experiences, Kyra Kauder stated, "Coming from town and not having any background in livestock judging, I had no idea what it all entailed but I thought it was interesting and a good learning experience."

Benton Community FFA members are getting geared up for Leadership and Career Development Events that will start in February.