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The expansion of an agriculture education program has boosted membership in Summerland's FFA chapter.

Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said 46 students, grades seven through 12, participate in the organization which combines classroom learning, field experience and community service.

It's the largest group since the Summerland chapter originated last year.

Goldfuss' credits his enthusiasm for ag education and FFA to his high school career, at O'Neill Public Schools.

"The organization and classes help students enhance their leadership abilities/skills, time management, communication (written and oral), dedication, work ethic, professionalism, networking skills, critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking. I think all around it really helps develop student's soft skills that are desirable in all professions and essential to anyone's success in anything they do. Students also learn technical skills they can take back to a family operation or a job out in the industry, Goldfuss said.

Students have been fine-tuning leadership and career development events, in preparation for the 94th annual state convention, to be held in April, in Lincoln.

Levi Cronk will compete in natural resources speaking Leadership Development Event, presenting a speech outlining how cattle producers can reduce soil erosion. He finished second in district competition.

Carlee Livingston finished second in creed speaking and will advance to the state convention.

Both the junior and senior livestock judging teams will move on. The four-member junior team finished fourth, with Carlee Livingston earning purple; Alec Schindler, blue; Kellen Mlnarik, red and Kelton Bruhn red. Ashley Melcher also received a red ribbon.

Overall, Livingston and Schindler finished fourth and ninth, out of 125 contestants.

Cronk and Madi Melcher earned purple ribbons for the senior team. Ty Rix and Cassidy Bearinger earned blue, completing Summerland's team, which finished second.

Dillon Moser and Logan Mueller earned blue ribbons and Jacob Napier, red.

Cronk and Melcher finished seventh and eighth in the field of 114.

Two students - Madi Melcher and Moser - will receive the State FFA Degree.

Studio B Photography | Courtesy Photo

2021-2022 Summerland FFA members • This school year, members of the FFA chapter include (front row, l-r): Madison Melcher, Dillon Moser, Logan Mueller, Ty Rix, Levi Cronk, Kelton Bruhn, Cassidy Bearinger, Ashley Melcher, instructor and advisor, Jacob Goldfuss; (row two, l-r): Tucker McLain, Alec Kester, Sierra Thomson, Kyah Bruhn, Carlee Livingston, Ava Cleveland, Charlie Wagner, Breckyn Bergman, Ayden Bazelman, Bennett Flenniken; (row three, l-r): Cassie Livingston, Parker Napier, Sam Cheatum, Sara Loeffler, Aiyana Krebs, Lizette Marino, Joseph Gonzalez, Sydni McConnell, Irelyn Bearinger; (row four, l-r): Clara Ferguson, Alex Arroyo, Kellen Mlnarik, Jacob Napier, Kolton McAllister, Trevor Thomson, Jaykwon Petite, Emily Ahlers, (back row, l-r): Christian Behnk, Ruger Switzer, Michael Koenig, Wyatt Napier, Garrett Napier, Gavin Whiting, AJ Hobbs, Alec Schindler and Daley Bearinger.

According to the national orgnization's website, "The State FFA Degree is the highest degree the state association can bestow upon a member. Each year, members are awarded the degree based upon their comprehensive supervised agricultural experience Program. FFA members must submit two years of SAE record books, complete the State FFA Degree application and meet all minimum qualification, as well as pass a test, in order to be awarded the State FFA Degree.

Goldfuss believes they will be the first Summerland students to receive the honor.

Two students submitted SAE program applications.

Bruhn earned a silver on his dairy application for his work at Thiele Dairy, at Clearwater.

Cronk's SAE application, in goat production entrepreneurship, received district champion honors and first gold.

His project advances to state judging, this Saturday, in Kearney.

According to Goldfuss, "If the project finishes in the top three after the first-round state judging, then Cronk's project will advance to the state convention, where Cronk would be interviewed by a panel of three judges.