The 89th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference was held in Ames this past Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Chandler Jahner of Pella is the state champion in FFA Extemporaneous Speaking. Chandler will represent Iowa FFA at the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis and compete against all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The Pella FFA Chapter was also recognized for the 2016-2017 Ag Ambassador Program by the Iowa FFA Foundation. Jahner & Ben Thomas of Pella also received their Iowa FFA Degrees for keeping updated financial records on their entrepreneurship projects of sheep operation and Turf Grass management businesses.

Knoxville sophomore Mickayla McGill received a gold rating and was selected 2nd overall in the state of Iowa for FFA Public Speaking. Sierra McCullough and Myla Dakin received their Iowa FFA State Degrees as well as signed their intention to “Teach Ag”. Knoxville also received the Ag Ambassador Program award, and the Knoxville chapter display received a gold.

Twin Cedars’ Ag CSI Team consisting of four 7th grade girls Haley Hoch, Ali Mockenhaupt, Harlee Stout and Hannah Jerkins received silver. The Ag Poultry Judging Team consisting of Racheal Beary, Pat Dykstra, Reese Wallace and Lane Anderson received a silver as well. The Ag Sales Team of Daryan Jones, Maddison Zellmer and Kate Coalbank received a bronze and the Twin Cedars chapter display board received a silver. During the conference Rachel Beary also signed for her intention to “Teach Ag.”

Each year, over 5,000 FFA members and guests from across the state gather to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete for scholarships, volunteer in the community and shape the future of the Iowa FFA Association.