FFA

The Pisgah FFA Chapter participated in the 2015 North Carolina FFA Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event on March 24, 2015, in Wake County, North Carolina. The senior division team placed 9th in the state out of 75 total teams. Team members include Jesse Henson, Madison Mathis, Casey Kilby and Jessica Kervin. Jesse placed 1st in the state individually, out of a total of 272 competitors in the Senior division. In addition, PHS had a junior team consisting of Caleb Henson, Chance Best and Taylor Smathers. The junior team placed 17th in the state out of 51 total teams. Their FFA Advisors are Courtney Wade and Joshua Justice, with the team being coached by Ms. Wade.

At the state event, participants are scored based on how well they apply livestock evaluation skills learned in the classroom. Each team evaluates seven classes of animals including one class each of breeding cattle, market cattle, breeding sheep, market sheep, market goats, market swine and breeding swine. They must also defend the reasoning behind their evaluations to a panel of judges. Participants in the senior division complete a written test and work collaboratively in a team keep/cull activity. Completing these activities successfully requires a good understanding of both animal science and herd management skills.

This event is one of 43 different career development events offered to North Carolina FFA members on the state level. The North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association sponsors the state Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event.

The North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of 20,119 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 263 local chapters across the state. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ncffa.org for more information.

Submitted by:  Courtney Wade, Pisgah High School