New York FFA was something to be proud of October 19-22 in Indianapolis, IN.  Nearly 400 students and teachers committed to putting belief into action in pursuit of excellence at the 84th National FFA Convention.  Below are the details of just what NY FFA accomplished throughout the week.

1 – National Officer Candidate Kenny Quick of Granville FFA (FFA Advisor Terry Wheeler) was elected to represent the 18 state Eastern Region.  This year he will travel the world and put into practice the skills he developed while a member of NY FFA.  Great job to each and every individual who took time to invest in Kenny!

Ken Quick, Jr was elected to serve as the 2011-2012 National Eastern Region Vice President. He is joined for a year of service by Ryan Best (NM, National President), Jason Troendle (MN, National Secretary), Seth Pratt (ID, National Western Region Vice President), Alicia Hodnik (WI, National Central Region Vice President) and Cain Thurmond (GA, National Southern

2 – Career Development Events were well represented with New York participants this year, again.  Every year NY FFA has students competing in every single National Level Career Development Event within our state.

• Ag Communications – Tri-Valley FFA (Advisor Tara Berescik) – Silver
• Ag Issues – Pioneer FFA (Advisors Marty Krause, Mary Lou Genaway & Jon Clayson) – Bronze
• Ag Mechanics – Pioneer FFA (Advisors Krause, Genaway & Clayson) – Silver
• Ag Sales – John Bowne FFA (Advisor/Coach Magdy Faris) – Bronze
• FFA member Bennet Perez placed 6th individually!!!
• Agronomy – Cuba Rushford FFA (Advisor Pat Ploetz) – Silver
• Creed – Makenna Bridge, Madison FFA (Advisor Julia Hudyncia) – Bronze
• Dairy Cattle Evaluation – Madison FFA (Advisor Julia Hudyncia) – Silver
• Dairy Foods – Lowville FFA (Advisor Mel Phelps) – Bronze
• Dairy Handlers – Matt Carter, Northern Adirondack FFA (Advisor Don Jones) – Gold
• Environmental Natural Resources – Fillmore FFA (Advisor Than Mehlenbacher) – Silver
• Extemporaneous Speaking – Jessica Krause, Pioneer FFA (Advisors Krause, Genaway & Clayson) – Bronze
• Farm Business Management – Schoharie Valley FFA (Advisor Dave Marbot) – Bronze
• Floriculture – Cayuga Onondaga FFA (Advisor Julia Rotman-Smith) – Bronze
• Food Science – Cazenovia Aggies FFA (Advisor Mandi Millen) – Bronze
• Horse Evaluation – Cazenovia Aggies FFA (Advisor Millen) – Bronze
• Job Interview – Stacia Southcott, Albion FFA (Advisor Adam Krenning) – Silver
• Livestock Evaluation – Tully FFA (Advisor Derek Hill) – Bronze
• Marketing Plan – John Bowne FFA (Advisor/Coach Faris) – Bronze
• Nursery Landscape – Moravia FFA (Advisor Paul Buck) – Bronze
• Parliamentary Procedure – Tri-Valley FFA (Advisor Berescik) – Bronze
• Poultry Evaluation – Lowville FFA (Advisor Phelps) – Bronze
• Prepared Speaking – Alice Young, Walton FFA (Advisor Tina Miner-James) – Bronze

3 – Three NY FFA members exhibited in the National FFA Agriscience Fair.  Each did a great job.  Next year the agriscience fair will take place at the State FFA Convention instead of State Fair and student winners will need to submit applications to qualify to exhibit on the National level.  This year's excellent participants were:

• Zoe Guttendorf, Tully FFA (Derek Hill, Advisor)
• Samantha Wheeler, South Jefferson FFA (Bill Stowell, Advisor)
• Molly Woodworth, Cazenovia Aggies FFA (Mandi Millen, Advisor)

4 – Two students from New York were selected as National Agri-Entrepreneurship winners.  There were only ten winners nationally!  New York winners were:

• Christopher Doane, Letchworth FFA (Marie Doane, Advisor)
• Ray James, Walton FFA (Tina Miner James, Advisor)

5 – Twenty-one FFA members from throughout the state qualified for their American Degrees at this year's convention.  Congratulations to the following chapters for having their students achieve the highest degree possible in the FFA:

• Belleville Henderson (Advisor Teddi McDougal)
• Cobleskill Richmondville (Advisor Deb Fletcher)
• Cuba-Rushford (Advisor Pat Ploetz)
• Granville (Advisor Terry Wheeler)
• Greenville (Advisors Rachel Anderson, Mark Cunan and Michaela Kehrer)
• Greenwich (Advisors Betsy Foote and Chris Kelly)
• Indian River (Advisor Nicole Hirt)
• John Bowne (Advisors Ashley Holden, Kristen Keryk & Laura Manzi)
• Pioneer (Advisors Marty Krause, Mary Lou Genaway & Jon Clayson)
• Randolph (Advisor Pat Walker)
• Schoharie Valley (Advisor Dave Marbot)
• Springville (Advisor Claire Faulring)
• Stockbridge Valley (Advisors Erin McCaffrey & Patty Waldron)
• Tri-Valley (Advisor Tara Berescik)

6 – One of New York's finest teachers was selected as a finalist in the Agriscience Teacher of the Year program.  Michele Sutton of TST New Visions qualified because of the outstanding science concept and how her students engage in the scientific process.  While she was not the national winner, she was approached about recruiting her students into science-heavy internships because of the rigor and quality of her curriculum.  Congratulations, Michele!

7 – NY FFA Alumni Lucas Fuess (Madison FFA) and Anna Metcalf (Albion FFA) presented workshops at the National FFA Convention as part of FFA staff.  Anna taught a workshop on Ethics and Lucas hosted the WLC reunion dinner.  Lucas and Anna are two excellent young people who are credits to the programs they come from!

8 – NY FFA collegiate alumni at SUNY Cobleskill, Morrisville State College and Cornell exhibited in the FFA Career Fair, engaging students from across the country in the excellent post-secondary ag programs offered in New York.  It was so special seeing students who had previously been wearing blue corduroy reaching out to mentor current members.  Our students are lucky to have such great institutions located in New York State.  Collegiate members were also able to engage in several opportunities including a collegiate Parliamentary Procedure contest in which Cornell students placed 2nd in the nation and Danielle Sanok individually won her personal component of the event!

9 – New York State Officers J.W. Allen, Nate Lundquist, Ariana Kaminski, Liz Bracken, Miranda Parkhurst and Lyndsay Snyder worked diligently during the week of National Convention to make decisions in the best interest of the New York FFA.  Recommendations made to the National Organization encouraging the development of more middle school FFA opportunities, the creation of collegiate FFA competitive events, the pursuit of funding for underfunded Career Development Events and the development of an agricultural experience program available to all high school students for the first time.

10 – New York Chapters were recognized for excellence through the National Chapter Award program.  Congratulations to the following recognized programs:

• Canton (Advisor Carol Wright)
• Indian River (Advisor Nicole Hirt)
• Jasper Troupsburg (Advisor Phil Marsh)
• Lowville (Advisor Mel Phelps)
• Pioneer (Advisors Krause, Genaway & Clayson)
• Stockbridge Valley (Advisors Erin McCaffrey & Patty Waldron)
• Tri-Valley (Advisor Tara Berescik)
• Vernon Verona Sherrill (Advisor Keith Schiebel)
• Walton (Advisor Tina Miner James)

11 – The VVS FFA made the convention a little sweeter as the New York Booth representatives.  The story of maple slushies traveled far and NY was well represented by smiling, poised students.  In addition to showcasing their maple prowess, VVS members helped to promote Camp Oswegatchie to all convention attendees.  Thank you, VVS FFA!

12 – Shari Lighthall, NY FFA's state advisor and professional development specialist, spent 10 days away from home and family to serve as an adult consultant to the National FFA Nominating Committee.  She got little sleep, mentored students from around the country and managed confidential information in a way that showcased her trustworthiness and professionalism.  Shari as an amazing representation of NY Agricultural Education and her strengths made the National Officer Selection Process run without a hitch.

13 – New York submitted and was recognized with four Honorary American Degrees this year for four exceptional recipients.  NY Ag Teachers Betsy Foote and Michele Sutton were recognized for their years of service, high quality programs and their service to NYAAE especially with the restructuring of the boards.  Chip Pratt was recognized for his service to agricultural education through the Department of Agriculture and Markets.  Julie Suarez of NYFB was nominated because of her unfailing advocacy on behalf of FFA and how she constantly serves agriculture by advancing our ag programs.  Betsy, Michele and Chip were able to attend the convention in person to receive their awards and we were very proud to see them recognized onstage.