Written by Levi Allen
Algona FFA sent a few members to the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference from Sunday, April 19th, through Tuesday, April 21st, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Members in attendance were Levi Allen, Josie Reynolds, Maggie Divis, and Rilyn Tuttl.
Students started out with a tour of the ISU Digital Agriculture building. They were able to learn about high-tech designs with real world results to back them. They learned how technology is shaping today's agriculture.
Malea Divis and Cassidy Bierstedt served on the courtesy corps where they helped other Iowa FFA members get to their competitions.
Rilyn Tuttle, an Algona Middle School student, competed in the agriculture science fair and got 1st in FFA Agriscience Animal Systems Division I (Middle School).
Also at the State Convention, members attended the career and college fair. In addition, they listened to retiring addresses from State officers and listened to a powerful keynote speaker, Kevin Wanzer.
On Tuesday, April 20th, during the business session, Cassidy Bierstedt and Malea Divis proudly represented Algona’s chapter by voting for the next Iowa FFA State Officer Team. Members also put their knowledge to the test with Maggie Divis and Josie Reynolds competing in the Greenhand test for first-year high school members. Maggie Divis got 9th and gold while Josie Reynolds took gold. Rilyn Tuttle took the Discovery Test for middle school members, placing silver.
Iowa Degree recipients, Levi Allen, Cassidy Bierstedt, and Grant Kramer, received the Iowa Degree; it is the highest awarded degree that the Iowa FFA Association can give.
The Algona FFA chapter was recognized for earning a silver rating in the National Chapter Award, advancing to the national level. The members also had the opportunity to hear from Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. National FFA officer, Joey Nowotny, the Eastern Region Vice President, gave some words of advice as well.
The FFA students had a fun filled two days at the 98th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference. Cassidy Bierstedt said, “State Convention is a fun experience to meet new people and learn new things.”