(10/31/24) BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana FFA members were recognized numerous times at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis on Oct. 23-26. FFA members from across the state participated in many competitive events, and top honors were taken home throughout the week.

Cade LeJeune, executive director of agricultural education and state FFA advisor, said Louisiana state has made tremendous strides over the past decade in FFA due to hard-working FFA members, dedicated agriscience teachers and consistency in all our state-level operations.

“Collectively, our agriscience teachers and state staff are elevating expectations of what can be achieved through agricultural education, and our students are reaping the benefits," he said. "This year's results at the National FFA Convention are a testament to the life-changing impact that agricultural education and FFA can have in the lives of our students and for the future of Louisiana's agriculture industry.”

Colton Conley, of Natchitoches, represented Louisiana as the National FFA officer candidate. Colton advanced to Phase II of the candidate selection process and was a finalist for an officer position.

Jace Atchison and Colin Sebren, both of West Ouachita, were part of the FFA national chorus.

American FFA degree recipients included, Sydney Bruchhaus, Elton; Morgan Green, Florien; Madison Holcomb, Many; Allie Hubbard, Northshore; Madalyn Landry, Assumption, Morgan Meaux, Kaplan, Alivia Quirk, Northshore, and Emily Rivere, Assumption.

National finalists in the agriscience fair:

—Emily Adams, Winnfield Middle, 7th place in Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems, Division 1

—Connor Smith, Grant, 8th place in Environmental Service/Natural Resource Systems, Division 3

—Jason Green and William Mains, Many, 4th place in Social Science, Division 4

National chapter awards were given to Crowley, East Ascension, Mangham, St. Amant and Varnado for three stars, andVinton, Walker, Welsh and West Ouachita with two stars.

Career development events/leadership development events winners included:

Agronomy: Jennings, Gold and 2nd place overall

—Hayden Hearod, Gold and 2nd overall

—Noah Guinn, Gold and 3rd overall

—Micah Benoit, Gold

—Madyson Mulvany, Gold

—Mayberry, Gold and 7th overall

Forestry: Kinder, Gold and 6th place overall

—Evan Ballard, Gold

—Samuel Courville, Gold

—William Savant, Gold

—Creed Speaking

—Sophie Bruchhaus, Kinder, Gold and Top 8

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

—Emily Nevils, Winnfield, Gold and Top 8

Poultry Evaluation: Acadiana, Gold and 9th place overall

—Lexi Savoy, Gold

—Braxston Schexnayder, Gold

—Sarah Thibodeaux, Gold

Employment Skills

—Emilee Bullock, Lakeview, Gold and Top 12

Parliamentary Procedure

—Jennings, Gold and Top 16

Conduct of Chapter Meetings

—Ruston, Silver

Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management: Acadiana, Silver

Farm and Agribusiness Management: Elton, Silver

—Adam Fontenot, Gold

—Floriculture: Weston, Silver

—Cory Tucker, Gold

Food Science and Technology: Grant, Silver

Horse Evaluation: Kinder, Silver

—Emma McKissick, Gold

Meats Evaluation and Technology: Jennings, Silver

Nursery/Landscape: DeRidder, Silver

Prepared Public Speaking: Anna Hebert, Assumption, Silver and Top 16

Veterinary Science: Jennings, Silver

Agricultural Issues Forum: North DeSoto, Bronze

Livestock Evaluation: Acadiana, Bronze

Marketing Plan: Jennings, Bronze

Other recognitions included:

Kinzie Brassell, State Secretary, participated on stage during a general session.

Kristin Stair, LSU agricultural education professor, served on the National FFA Board of Directors representingthe American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE).

Emily Manuel, LSU agricultural education instructor, served as a member of the National Chapter Award committee.

Eric Smith, Georgetown FFA advisor, served as a member of the Agronomy career development event committee.

Aaron Babers, northern region ag education specialist, served as superintendent of the forestry career development event committee.

Spencer Stelly, southwest region ag education specialist, served as a member of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation career development event committee.

Cade LeJeune, state FFA advisor, served as the southern region vice president for the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education (NASAE).

Jase Atchison, left, and Colin Sebren, right, from West Ouachita FFA represented Louisiana as vocalists in the National FFA Chorus. They are pictured with their advisor, Wes Sebren. Photo provided by Cade LeJeune/LSU AgCenter

Louisiana's Agronomy team from Jennings FFA placed 2nd in the nation. Pictured left to right with National FFA sponsors are team members Hayden Hearod (2nd place overall individual), Micah Benoit, Madyson Mulvaney, and Noah Guinn (3rd place overall individual). Photo provided by Cade LeJeune/LSU AgCenter

Jason Green, left, and William Mains, right, of the Many FFA Chapter placed 4th in the nation in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in the social sciences division. They are pictured with their advisor Darrell Simmons. Photo provided by Cade LeJeune/LSU AgCenter