(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic FFA Adviser Eric Miller reports the Atlantic FFA Chapter placed 11th after competing in the annual Iowa FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. The competition was held June 8th at Iowa State University, in Ames. Members of the place team included: DJ Shepperd, Alex Keiser, Wyatt Simons and Charli Goff.

FFA teams including 119 individuals from 34 chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agricultural Mechanics & Technology. Activities included demonstration of skills, problem solving, and knowledge application in agricultural machinery equipment, metals and welding, structures, environmental and natural resources, and electrical systems.

During the Ag Mechanics welding division the members of Atlantic placed 2nd. Individually Shepperd placed 25th, Keiser placed 40th, Simons placed 45th and Goff placed 69th. Shepperd commented “It was sad that this was one of my last experiences in FFA, but definitely one of my favorites. Yet another reason to join FFA.”

The Iowa FFA Agricultural Mechanics & Technology Career Development Event was made possible with support from Titan Machinery through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The Agricultural Mechanics & Technology Career Development Event was hosted by the Iowa State University Ag 450 Farm and was coordinated and conducted by Mr. Jon Davis and the Agricultural Education & Studies Department at Iowa State University in Ames. The Association of General Contractors of Iowa provided lunch for all participants and staff.

(Grimes, Iowa) – An official with the Iowa FFA Association says each year, the Southwest district and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conferences for FFA members in the Southwest district. Association Executive Director Scott Johnson, says Atlantic welcomed 169 members from 28 FFA chapters attended from all over the Southwest district on June 5th.

While in Atlantic, district and state officers lead four interactive workshops for FFA Chapter leaders, many of which are officers, for the annual COLT Conference. The workshops facilitated were local FFA Chapter program focused in the areas of advocating for the agriculture industry, connecting with stakeholders, recruiting for the local chapter, and working as a cohesive team. FFA leaders also received training relative to their specific officer duties within the local chapter. Atlantic Chapter Vice President Lola Comes said “Every activity in FFA is preparing me for the future; even a few hours at COLT training has been beneficial. Networking in agriculture is important and this opportunity helped me interact with others and grow as a leader.”

Iowa FFA President, Holly Schmitt, said “COLT conference provides a chance for FFA members to learn more about their responsibility as a local leader and is a conference for members to meet and connect with state, district and other chapter officers.”

Back row, Left-to-right: Colton Rudy, Roth DenBeste, Wyatt Simons & Lily Johnson; Front row, L-to-R: Claire Pellett, Charli Goof & Lola Comes. (Photo courtesy Scott Johnson)

COLT conference programming is designed as a two-year rotation of local leaders training. The focus areas of next year’s program include agriculture literacy, time management, professionalism, and self-confidence. The goal is to engage FFA members in learning about the tools that would allow them to be successful in anything they are part of through high school and beyond.

COLT conference is made possible with support from Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance of Iowa through the Iowa FFA Foundation