Elmwood FFA members have again excelled at the state level. Members recently completed competition in two
career development events which resulted in a first place grain merchandising and a third place
cooperatives team in the state.
The Grain Merchandising team’s event included 27 teams competing to see who possessed the greatest
knowledge of grain marketing as contestants completed a 100-question test. These questions addressed
topics such as marketing news, grain marketing strategies, marketing alternatives, and mathematical
computations related to grain merchandising.
Meagan Wise led the way for Elmwood with a second place individual ranking out of 195 contestants. Close
behind was Megan Hathaway in third. She was followed by Ashley Veryser in eighth, with Dylan Benschoter
in ninth.
Other team members, with placement were: Garrett Benschoter (15th), Mitch Beaverson (23rd), Kara Buchman
(25th), Morgan Huff (28th) and Chlesie Schmitz (40th).
The chapter’s cooperatives team ranked third out of 43 teams. During this contest members completed a
75-question test on their knowledge of cooperatives as a business form. Elmwood’s Veronica Walter was
one of the top 10 individuals in the state, ranking seventh out of 433 contestants. She was followed by
fellow team members Megan Hathaway in eighth, and Jack Hagemeyer in 10th. Additional contestants for
Elmwood in the top 50 were Samantha Laborie (15th), Alexis Miller (20th), Chelsie Schmitz (22nd),
Elizabeth Walter (23rd), Taylor Barndt (44th), and Amanda Jones (47th). Other team members were Zach
Kinney, Angelique Franks, Marisa Ayala, Brett Jones and Emily Schmitz.
This is the third state title this spring for the chapter in various competitions.
As previously announced, both the Ag Mechanics Skills team and the Outdoor Power Equipment team earned
state titles. The Farm Business Management team also finished third in Ohio.