• Article Photo. Wes McKenna, Ben Buhr, and Andrew Allsup sport their second place ribbons.
    Wes McKenna, Ben Buhr, and Andrew Allsup sport their second place ribbons.
  • Article Photo. Ben McGowan, Cooper McClintock, and Cole Birker received 11th place at the District Ag Mechanics CDE.
    Ben McGowan, Cooper McClintock, and Cole Birker received 11th place at the District Ag Mechanics CDE.
  • Article Photo. Andrew Allsup received 6th place overall.
    Andrew Allsup received 6th place overall.


By: Co-Reporter, Sophia Newton

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter demonstrated their technical skills at the Northeast District Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event (CDE), held at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Representing the chapter were Wes McKenna, Andrew Allsup, Ben Buhr, Ben McGowan, Cooper McClintock, and Colton Birker.

Throughout the day, participants rotated through a series of hands-on stations and technical assessments, including: a written test, plumbing, 8R tractor service, electrical wiring, welding, soil and water management, parts identification, and trailer wiring. Each station challenged students ¢â‚¬â„¢ knowledge, precision, and safety skills in real-world agricultural mechanics scenarios. Ben McGowan, Cooper McClintock, and Colton Birker received 11th Place Team while Andrew Allsup, Ben Buhr, and Wes McKenna placed 2nd Team and Andrew Allsup was recognized as 6th Place Individual.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter is proud of these members for their hard work, professionalism, and strong representation at the district level.