NATOMA — The Natoma FFA Chapter has done well this Fall in CDEs. On Nov. 15, 12 members traveled to Russell to compete in the Northwest District Milk Quality and Products (MQ&P) and Food Science events. Expectations were set high, because since 2014, Natoma has placed in the top three in district MQ&P, along with 3rd and 2nd place finishes at state in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The state team in 2018 also took 9th. Members participated in a final practice at the NHS Ag Building two nights before the event.

Results on the day were as follows: Senior team (3rd overall), Greenhand team (2nd overall), Jayce Dickerson (2nd high Sr. indiv.), Derek George (2nd greenhand indiv.), Ashton Lund (3rd greenhand indiv.). In the Food Science event, Ethan Dickerson was 6th out of a field of 137 contestants. The senior Food Science team was 8th of 18 teams and the Greenhand team placed 7th out of 17.
Two weeks later, the Greenhands and Shandra Griffin headed to Colby Community College for the Vet Science CDE and FFA Ritual competition. Shandra competed individually, while the Greenhand team placed 7th of 16 teams. Derek George was 3rd out of 80 participants in the event, with Ashton Lund, Nicholas Racette, and Logan Pruter completing the team.

The Greenhands then went before a panel of judges and carried out the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of an FFA meeting. Each member memorized an officer part, and Derek and Nicholas even learned two, due to the fact that there are actually six officer positions in the FFA. While the team did not crack the top three, they gained valuable experience and worked as a team to accomplish a difficult task. The next event for the Natoma FFA is the Agriculture Sales and Job Interview competitions in Northern Valley on Jan. 10.

On another topic, FFA Fall fundraising items will be in on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 13, so if you ordered from the FFA, expect a delivery soon thereafter.

— Submitted by Jeremy J. Long, Natoma FFA adviser