Bridger and Lorelai will represent the CYMS FFA Chapter in the Animal Systems category at the National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this October.
The CY FFA chapter is made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Their goal is to grow each student to their potential and prepare them for careers of any kind, promote agriculture, and support communities. Their program is focused on the three tenants of chapter development; strengthening agriculture, growing leaders, and building communities. They also learn about agriculture such as where and how food and fiber are produced in the world. As a part of building communities, FFA members provide support to partners in the community through projects such as trash cleanups and volunteering at the Green Acres Corn Maze. For competitions, they focus on career development with livestock selection and meat, horse, and poultry judging.
Bridger and Lorelai focused on celebrating their individual talents and interests while creatively collaborating on a combined project where they studied the dye saturation of various types of wool. “I sew garments for 4-H, and Bridger shows sheep for 4-H and FFA, shared Lorelai. “We wanted to work together, and we thought this was a good project idea for both of us,” added Bridger.
Participating in FFA competitions has been an exciting enrichment opportunity in their academic journey, “My favorite moment was the state convention because I got to be with my friends Madi, Hannah, and Meryl; and the sessions were entertaining,” shared Lorelai. Bridger reflected on the excitement of moving forward to the national competition, “Getting to know that we have an opportunity to go to Nationals in Indianapolis has been my favorite moment.”
Outside of competing, Bridger and Lorelai appreciate the fulfilling opportunities that FFA brings to their academic journey and life, “I like to meet people and have new experiences with friends and family. I like being able to see my lambs grow and grow with me,” Bridger said. Likewise, Lorelai enjoys all the learning opportunities she can participate in, “I like learning more about agriculture, learning new things, and being active.”
FFA advisor Kyla Foltz shared how hard her FFA team has worked to prepare for competitions this year: "I have a strong officer team that might rise to the occasion to compete in the parliamentary procedure contest called Conduct of Chapter Meetings. This is the first time I have helped coach students in the agriscience fair competition, and I might be hooked! These two students worked so hard and have a strong ability to give presentations. This competition has been a great deal of work for the students, coaches, and those that have helped, but they have definitely earned a lot.”
“The Future Farmers of America provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.” - Future Farmers of America
For more information on this tremendous accomplishment, see the full FFA press release below:
FFA Members Compete in 2022 National FFA Agriscience Fair
INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Aug. 1, 2022) – More than 20 agricultural teachers and college professors from throughout the U.S. recently met in Indianapolis to determine what FFA members and teams will compete for top honors in the 2022 National FFA Agriscience Fair.
Bridger Haigler and Lorelai Wolf of the CY FFA chapter in Casper, WY, have been named a national finalist this year in the Animal Systems category in the Division II of the competition. Their project which tested the dye saturation of different types of wool has helped them hone their skills as scientists and researchers of agriculturally relevant selective breeding solutions.
The National FFA Agriscience Fair is a key competition that is part of the annual National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 26 – 29, 2022 in Indianapolis. To qualify, FFA members working as individuals or teams in grades seven through 12 are required to conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture or food science industries and win their state’s FFA agriscience fair.
Individuals or teams compete in one of six categories – animal systems; environmental services/natural resource systems; food products and processing systems; plant systems; power, structural and technical systems; or social science – in six divisions – individuals in grades 7-8, teams grades 7-8, individuals grades 9-10,teams grades 9-10, individuals in grades 11-12, and teams grades 11-12.
First-place winners in each state have qualified for the national pre-qualifying judging. The panel of judges reviewed entries and selected a maximum of 12 in each category and division to move on to the national competition. For a complete list of results, check here: https://www.ffa.org/participate/awards/agriscience-fair/.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. A separately registered nonprofit organization, the foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes the national FFA president, educators, business leaders and individual donors. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.