State FFA Degree Recipients Hunter Sockman and Drew Thomas. (supplied photo)
State Outdoor Power CDE first place team: Cole Brokaw, Hunter Sockman and Eddie Eschedor. (supplied photo)
Gretchen Germann, second Place State Proficiency Award winner in Diversified Horticulture. (supplied photo)
On May 4-5, the Bowling Green FFA chapter attended the 95th Ohio State FFA Convention, with 23 members traveling with Otsego FFA to Columbus.
On the way, members stopped for an educational tour at Kalmbach Feeds in Upper Sandusky. Members learned about the operation, toured a feed mill and enjoyed lunch while hearing about job opportunities in the animal nutrition industry.
After arriving in Columbus, members attended the second general session of the convention.
President Edison Eschedor and Vice President Emma Ferguson walked the stage to receive Bowling Green’s recognition as a Gold Medal Chapter. To qualify for this honor, the chapter must submit an application that includes a summary of all of its activities. The chapter’s application will now be forwarded to the National FFA for further evaluation at that level.
Also during this session, Gretchen Germann received second in the state in her proficiency award area, Diversified Horticulture. Proficiency awards are earned through outstanding SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) projects developed and maintained by the member. Germann’s SAE is owning her own business, Germann Family Traditions, where she makes and sells floral arrangements and grave blankets as well as raising and selling mums. This along with job placements at Mid-Wood and Klotz Flower Farm helped her earn her proficiency award.
On Friday, gold medal officers were recognized on stage. The officers get evaluated on their officer books and record keeping skills. During the fourth session the three BG FFA officers recognized with gold ratings were Lindsay Eisel (secretary), Peyton Bosworth (treasurer) and Kenzie Spangenburg (reporter). Also during this session, state winning Career Development Event teams were recognized. The BG FFA Outdoor Power Equipment team of Edison Eschedor, Hunter Sockman and Cole Brokaw received their coveted blue banner.
During the last session of convention, the BG FFA watched Hunter Sockman and Drew Thomas walk across the stage and receive their State FFA Degrees. This is the highest degree that the state of Ohio can award to an FFA member. These two names will be added to the wall of state degree winners in the classroom. This degree recognizes outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, FFA achievements, and involvement in school and community activities. This is a big honor with less than 2% of members achieving this degree.
Hunter Sockman’s SAE was job placement at Sockman Inc. and Germann Family Enterprises. This entailed working outdoors including mowing and various other landscaping tasks. He served as the 2022-23 chapter sentinel. He also participated in the Soils, Ag Sales and Outdoor Power Equipment CDEs. He is the son of Jay and Kelly Sockman.
Drew Thomas’s SAE projects were Breeding Sheep and Job Placement at Frobose Meat Market. Thomas cares for his breeding stock as well as takes them to shows across the country. At his job placement, he used the register, stocked the shelves and prepared custom orders. In his years of FFA he has earned the Star Greenhand award and Star Chapter Farmer. This past year he served as the chapter’s student adviser and this upcoming year he will be vice president. He is the son of Andy and Holliday Thomas.
Bowling Green FFA is a satellite of Penta Career Center.
