Five Penn Manor students earn national FFA recognition

Four recent Penn Manor graduates and one returning senior have earned national recognition from the FFA for completing projects in vegetable, dairy and crop production, ag sales and animal systems.

Kenny Barley, Jonathon Eshbach, Clara Hess and Damian Kreider, all 2018 graduates of Penn Manor High School, earned medals for proficiency, and Penn Manor senior Arilyn Tegtmeier-Oatman earned a medal in animal systems from the national FFA.

All are members of Manor FFA, the local chapter of the organization.

Kenny earned a National Silver Medal in proficiency in the category Ag Sales Entrepreneurship for his experience in owning and running a business, Walnut Hollow Mulch.

Jonathon earned a National Bronze Medal in proficiency in Special Crop Production for his experience growing and processing tobacco as a fourth-generation farmer.

Damian earned a National Bronze Medal in proficiency in Vegetable Production for his experience owning and operating a tomato sales business.

Clara earned a National Bronze Medal in proficiency in Dairy Production for her experience caring for calves on her family’s dairy farm.

Arilyn earned a National Bronze Medal in the Animal Systems Division for her research on the nutritional impact of raw food blends versus commercial feeds in small animals.

The national awards went to the top students from schools across the country, based on recent judging at the National FFA headquarters in Indianapolis.

The awards “truly recognize the students’ growth and mastery,” said Diane Glock-Cornman, a Penn Manor agricultural education teacher. “I am really proud of this crew.”

Congratulations to all these students, and best wishes on your future endeavors!