Elmwood FFA teams have continued a string of top performances this school year in various contests.
Among the latest accomplishments was a district win for the dairy foods team and a fourth place finish in
the state for the rural soils team.
Dairy events
On Oct. 16 two of the Elmwood FFA chapter’s career development teams traveled to Patrick Henry High
School to compete in the district Dairy Cattle and Dairy Foods events. The dairy cattle team ranked 10th
while the dairy foods team ranked first in team competition.
In the dairy foods contest Elmwood was led by Veronica Walter who ranked first overall. Following closely
behind was Emily Schmitz in fourth, while Noah Fouty was 12th. Other members included Parker Scannell,
Allison Arnold, Brandy Grilliot, and Griffin Sperry.
Dairy foods contestants identify cheeses, analyze milk samples for possible defects, identify different
milk fat percentages in dairy products, and conduct California Mastitis tests, in addition to completing
a written test on the dairy industry.
Competing in the dairy cattle event was Matthew Cline, Conner Gallant. Angelique Franks, Makayla Mohre,
Taylor Barndt, Clay Stearns, Dylan Benschoter, Elizabeth Walter, Bryn Parker, Luke Hagemeyer, Katie
Peters, Jack Hagemeyer, Jessica Cline, and Jay Graham. Placing 13th and leading the team was Jessica
Cline. Dairy cattle contestants rank live classes of mature cows and heifers, rank four sires, evaluate
animal potential by looking at pedigrees, and complete a written test.
Soils
The chapter’s rural soils team, which participated in the state contest in Licking County on Oct. 11
achieved a fourth place ranking, out of 54 teams in Ohio. The team was led by Andrew Housholder who
placed 13th overall. Other team members contributing were Ashley Veryser, Noah Smith, and Luke
Hagemeyer.
Rural soils contestants evaluate soils for slope, texture, erosion of the top soil, depth of the soil,
and natural drainage. They also assign limitations, determine land use, and recommend conservation
practices.
The chapter’s urban team ranked 22nd out of 49 teams. The team was led by Samantha Laborie in 14th. She
was joined by Alexis Miller, Jack Hagemeyer, and Dylan Benschoter.
In the urban contest, members evaluate soils for slope, land form, flood and slippage hazard, texture,
and water table depth. They also recommend practices to maintain or improve an existing soil site.