Sixteen Winnisquam Agricultural Center students, including four from Merrimack Valley High School, represented the AG program in Bretton Woods, March 31 – April 2 at the annual convention of the Granite State Association of Future Farmers of America. FFA members spent three days competing in career development events and participating in leadership workshops. The Merrimack Valley students were recognized for their agricultural projects.
Sophie LaRochelle and Kelsey Lorden competed with numerous other New Hampshire students for the title of State Star Greenhand, and tied for runner-up. Sophie’s project is in sheep production, while Kelsey raises cattle. MV senior Ben Davis received his State FFA Degree for his efforts raising working steers, while Nick VanderWoude, also a senior, was elected to the position of state reporter.
All four MV students also competed in skills events. Ben was a member of the Winnisquam Forestry and Environmental/Natural Resources teams, both of which placed fourth in the state. Kelsey and Sophie were contestants in Agricultural Sales; their team placed second, with Sophie placing fourth inpidually in a field of thirty. Nick entered the Impromptu Speaking Event and earned second place.
The students took full advantage of this outstanding opportunity to meet like-minded students from across the state, develop their leadership skills and expand their horizons. While Nick will be serving the FFA on the state level for the next 12 months, Ben heads off to study agriculture at SUNY Cobleskill. Sophie and Kelsey plan to continue their involvement in the FFA at the chapter level.