News : Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Members Compete at State and District Contests

State Floriculture Team: Ciara Dods, Kirsten Pettit, Kassidi Brussen, and Madeline Pingenot.

District Livestock Judging Team: Will Kreutner, Cole Birker, and Jameson Demuth.

State Nursery Landscape Team: Andrew Pingenot, Wyatt Shaver, Ali Lutz and Abby McKenna.

By: Co-Reporter, Abby McKenna

On Tuesday, June 10th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter took part in the State Nursery Landscape and Floriculture CDEs and the District Livestock Judging Contest. The students represented their chapter well and gained valuable experience.

The Nursery Landscape team of Andrew Pingenot, Wyatt Shaver, Abby McKenna, and Ali Lutz earned a Bronze Rating at the state level. The competition tested their skills in areas such as plant identification, landscape design, and equipment safety within the horticulture industry.

The Floriculture team including Ciara Dods, Kassidi Brussen, Madeline Pingenot, and Kirsten Pettit also had an impressive performance, bringing home a Gold Rating and finishing 6th overall in the state. Kassidi Brussen also placed an impressive 7th place individually, highlighting her strength in floral design and industry knowledge.

In the District Livestock Judging Contest, the team of Will Kreutner, Jameson Demuth, and Cole Birker placed 13th overall. They evaluated classes of cattle, swine, and sheep, and practiced defending their placings with oral reasons, gaining valuable experience for future contests.

Congratulations to all participants for their hard work, dedication, and continued growth as leaders in agriculture!