On March 19, four different Elmwood FFA contest teams traveled to the Fulton County Fairgrounds to
compete in the District 1 Spring Judging contests. Those teams that attended included Poultry, Meats,
Wildlife Management and Equine Management. Each team placed in the top 10 overall, led by both the
poultry and the meats team as each placed second.
There were 31 chapter members involved as they performed a variety of skills. They competed with schools
from an area extending to the Indiana State line, the Michigan State Line, and as far east as Ottawa
County.
Meats: The meats team was entered among a field of 20 teams. Elmwood’s top individual was Marisa Ayala in
third. Next in line was Jack Hagemeyer in fourth, Jay Graham in eighth, and Meagan Wise in ninth. Other
team members included Noah Fouty, Taylor Carr, Kalli Fisk, and Kyle Dibling. Meats contestants identify
retail and wholesale cuts of meat, take a written test, rank primal and retail classes, and solve
problems involving slaughter.
Poultry: There were 25 total teams in the poultry event and Elmwood’s second place team was led by
Chelsie Schmitz who placed fourth individually. Brett Jones followed right behind in fifth, while Autumn
Minich ranked sixth, followed by Kara Buchman who placed 10th. Rounding out the team were Samantha
Laborie, Connor Lambert, Alexis Miller, Elizabeth Walter, Nick Stearns and Morgan Huff. Poultry
contestants evaluate live birds, grade eggs for exterior and interior quality, grade carcasses, complete
a written test, identify parts, and assess processed parts.
Equine: The 26 competing horse teams ranked three classes of live animals, identified tack, feed
ingredients, and breeds, completed a written test, and evaluated a class of hay samples. Elmwood’s best
individual was Makayla Mohre who placed 18th. She was closely followed by Taylor Barndt, Rachael
Grillot, Jessica Cline, and Chyanne Hatcher. The team ended up placing fifth.
Wildlife: Elmwood’s fourth team was Wildlife Management, which placed seventh among 28 other competing
teams. The top placing individual from the team was Dylan Benschoter who placed 30th. Other team members
included Marcus Day, Veronica Walter, Branden Mercer, Gage Kennedy, Brandon Palmer, Traci Morlock, and
Wes Ridenour. Wildlife Management contestants identify mammals, game birds, fish, equipment, and
complete a practicum in addition to taking a written test.