The Manor FFA Chapter is celebrating individual and team accolades from the Big E competition in West Springfield, Massachusetts and The West Lampeter Community Fair.
Five Career Development Event (CDE) teams competed at the Big E from September 17 to 20. The Agricultural Mechanics, Floriculture, Livestock, Poultry, and Veterinary Science CDE teams were able to compete at the Big E by receiving a State Reserve Champion title at the Pennsylvania FFA State Convention and Activities Week in June.
The Veterinary Science team of Jayden Buck, Amelia Fetter, Grace Garrett, and Lorelai Smith placed first overall. Amelia placed second, Jayden sixth, and Grace seventh. The team had to identify diseases and how to treat the animals based on real-life situations that occur in the veterinary field.
The Agricultural Mechanics team placed fourth and consisted of Colby Martin, Chase Perry, Tage Rohrer, and John Wise. Colby placed eighth and Chase placed ninth. During the competition, the team has to take written exams and apply their skills and knowledge during practical applications based on the mechanics industry.
The Floriculture team of Anna Frey, Misty Railing, Leanne Kneisley, and Jozie Gilger placed third overall. Leanne was awarded sixth place, Misty eighth, and Jozie ninth. The team identified tools and species of plants and flowers, in addition to a written test and hands-on demonstrations.
The Poultry team of Regan Herr, Ruthie Miller, Nancy Railing, and Gideon Stewart earned fourth place. The team evaluated live poultry, poultry carcasses, graded and evaluated eggs, by providing reasons for each evaluation.
During the competition, the Livestock team had to place nine classes of differing livestock animals while using a variety of scenarios from the industry to place keep and cull classes. The team consisted of Katie Charles, Sam Deamer, Gracie Sheibly, and Elsie Sheibly.
Many Manor FFA Chapter members showcased livestock at The West Lampeter Community Fair which took place September 23 to 25. In addition to the livestock, members entered crops, vegetables, and flower arrangements, and volunteered at one of the food stands.
Four Chapter members helped to judge during the youth sunflower games which consisted of 25 local entries from elementary schools across the county. The Manor FFA members educated the youth about sunflower growth.
Eight members volunteered the night before the fair to organize products at the vegetable tents as they were checked in.
The Ag Department brought the introductory class to a Greenhand seminar as a way to give the new student members involved in agriculture and learn how to show livestock.
Of the participating showmen, Sam Deamer earned Grand Champion Market Steer; Maybelle Rineer was named Reserved Grand Champion Dairy Beef; Ashlynn Breneman, Katie Charles, Luke Railing, and Misty Railing were all recipients of the Youth Encouragement award.
Congratulations to the Manor FFA members on all of their accomplishments!