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Over 100 Indiana FFA members from across the state will be competing at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo next week in a variety of Career and Leadership Development Events, the Agriscience Fair and Agricultural Proficiency Awards.

“I am always impressed with the talent, leadership and work ethic of Indiana FFA members,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Best of luck to each Indiana FFA member competing on the national stage at the 97^th National FFA Convention & Expo right here in Indianapolis."

Students will be competing in career development events such as Environment and Natural Resources, Forestry, Agronomy, Livestock Evaluation and Parliamentary Procedure. Others will be competing in leadership development events such as Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Agricultural Issues Forum and Creed Speaking.

The National FFA Agriscience Fair is an additional key competition that is part of the annual National FFA Convention & Expo. Individuals or teams conduct scientific research projects pertaining to the agriculture industry in their state in one of six categories: animal systems, environmental services/natural resource systems, food products and processing systems, plant systems, power, structural and technical systems or social science.

“Hats off to all of the Indiana FFA members who have qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention & Expo. The level of dedication and commitment to make it to such a high level is no doubt also thanks to the FFA advisors, parents and community supporting these young leaders and ag professionals,” said Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director. “Each student has certainly already made their home state proud, and we look forward to celebrating them next week.”

Indiana FFA members will also compete nationally with their Agricultural Proficiencies, which honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.

The following students will be competing at the 97th National FFA Convention:

Argos FFA
Cailey Markley, Specialty Crop Production Proficiency

Benton Central FFA
Joe Widmer, Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency

Cascade FFA
Whitney Smith, Vegetable Production Proficiency

Caston FFA
Braden Rush, Parliamentary Procedure
Mason Prenatt, Parliamentary Procedure
Madisyn Douglass, Parliamentary Procedure
Ashley Fred, Parliamentary Procedure
Alexander Ault, Parliamentary Procedure
Myli Rude, Parliamentary Procedure
Josiah Helt, Parliamentary Procedure

Central Noble FFA
Grant Lake, Agriculture Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship Proficiency

Churubusco FFA
Kenna Alexander, Environment & Natural Resources
Merisa Bogard, Environment & Natural Resources
Samuel Troendly, Environment & Natural Resources
Wyatt Overdeer, Environment & Natural Resources

Columbia City FFA
Carly Linnemeier, Agricultural Sales
Caden Poling, Agricultural Sales
Kyle Porter, Agricultural Sales
Karaline Schuman, Agricultural Sales
Lillianne Patterson, Veterinary Science
Kaytlynn Bryant, Veterinary Science
Logan Good, Veterinary Science
Jessalyn Hoskins, Veterinary Science
Kyle Porter, Agriculture Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency

Connersville FFA
Cora Nobbe, Agriscience Food Systems Division 1

Culver FFA
Isaac Schaller, Agriculture Services Proficiency

DeKalb FFA
Cord Akey, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
Matthew Beckman, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
Will Engelberth, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
Zach Harris, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems
Olivia Rigby, Agriscience Research Plants Systems Proficiency
Logen Brand, Agriscience Animal Systems Division 6
C. Issac Schweitzer, Agriscience Animal Systems Division 6
Isaac Hefty, Agriscience Plant Systems Division 1

Eastern Central FFA
Wyatt Smith, Nursery/Landscape
Evan Kramer, Nursery/Landscape
Jasmin Keith, Nursery/Landscape
Riley Shumate, Nursery/Landscape

Eastern Hancock FFA
Emily Grant, Agriculture Communications Proficiency

Hamilton Southeastern FFA
Henry Dupree, Agricultural Communications
Ellie Taylor, Agricultural Communications
Lizzie Dekker, Agricultural Communications
Liam Kenyon, Agricultural Communications

Heritage FFA
Erica Sorg, Farm & Agribusiness Management
Maggie Minnich, Farm & Agribusiness Management
Arizona Bramers, Farm & Agribusiness Management
Addison Werts, Farm & Agribusiness Management
Alex Zelt, Meats Evaluation & Technology
Alden Bowers, Meats Evaluation & Technology
Elizabeth Buuck, Meats Evaluation & Technology
Brock Taylor, Meats Evaluation & Technology

Indian Creek FFA
Lyla Kephart, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Hannah Shanafelt, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Riah Alexander, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Blake Legan, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Reagan Ferris, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Lola Peddycord, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Brooke Setser, Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Rebekah Legan, Horse Evaluation
Faryn Parr, Horse Evaluation
Luke Zimmerman, Horse Evaluation
Grace Runnebohm, Horse Evaluation

Lebanon FFA
Lauren Argotte, Agriscience Social Systems Division 5

Manchester FFA
Clark Showalter, Forestry
Thane Metzger, Forestry
Grace Hall, Forestry
Layne Showalter, Forestry

North Decatur FFA
Blaine Wagner, Agriscience Research Integrated Systems Proficiency
Jessa Wagner, Agriscience Animal Systems Division 3

North Miami FFA
Jesus Santana, Poultry Evaluation
Ryan Meredith, Poultry Evaluation
Ben Hoover, Poultry Evaluation
Alison Smith, Poultry Evaluation

Rensselaer FFA
Brock Hurley, Employment Skills

Rossville FFA
Leif Eiler, Agronomy
Colton Crum, Agronomy
Natalee Richey, Agronomy
Madison Skiles, Agronomy
Garrett Miller, Turf Grass Management Proficiency

Rushville FFA
Emma Tressler, Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
Cate Neuman, Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
Jocelyn Cain, Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
Maggie Wicker, Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management
Jenna Lawler, Extemporaneous Public Speaking & Agriscience Food Systems Division 5
Chance Keeton, Agriscience Environmental Systems Division 3
Makaylah Phillips, Agriscience Social Systems Division 4
Ashley Hubbard, Agriscience Social Systems Division 4

Shenandoah FFA
Landon Barr, Agricultural Issues Forum
Madelyn Shelton, Agricultural Issues Forum
Case Morehouse, Agricultural Issues Forum
Audree Farmer, Agricultural Issues Forum
Kimberlee Farmer, Agricultural Issues Forum
Jacob Wattenbarger, Diversified Crop Production Placement Proficiency

South Putnam FFA
Joslyn Bumgardner, Agriscience Plant Systems Division 6
Nevaeh Ellis, Agriscience Plant Systems Division 6

Southmont FFA
Cole Rhaods, Floriculture
Natalie Rhoads, Floriculture
Amarah Shannon, Floriculture
Kelsey Thompson, Floriculture

Terre Haute South FFA
Cale Williams, Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency

Tri Central FFA
Kaitlyn Maruszweski, Prepared Public Speaking

Tri-County FFA
Evelyn Gretencord, Food Science & Technology
Gardenia Del Real, Food Science & Technology
Lyla Alberts, Food Science & Technology
Kinley Dahlenburg, Food Science & Technology

Westfield FFA
Ava Lee, Marketing Plan
Ella Carlson, Marketing Plan
Benjamin Wiggins, Marketing Plan

Whiteland FFA
Jack Kelsay, Creed Speaking
Josie Kelsay, Dairy Handlers Activity
Leorah Morris, Milk Quality & Products
Lillian Nick, Milk Quality & Products
Brody Polesol, Milk Quality & Products
Garrett Rice, Milk Quality & Products
Cian Cribbs, Agriculture Education Proficiency

Whitko FFA
Kohen Schipper, Livestock Evaluation
Anna Sickafoose, Livestock Evaluation
Lillie Sickafoose, Livestock Evaluation
Carle Sroufe, Livestock Evaluation

Indiana Grown announced today $25,000 in grant funding for Indiana Grown members who are interested in exhibiting at tradeshows. Grants will be awarded to businesses with commercially ready products who want to expand.

Tradeshows offer vital exposure to unique customers and business-to-business clients, but barriers for members include the booth fee, travel expenses, set up costs and more. This grant was designed to alleviate some of those costs to ensure Hoosier businesses are highlighted and Indiana-made products can be enjoyed across the U.S. and globe.

“These tradeshow grants are vital for small and large Indiana Grown businesses to compete on a national, or even global level,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Indiana Grown members and their exceptional products are able to enter new markets thanks to some of the costs saved by these tradeshow grants.”

Indiana Grown members could be awarded grants in the sum of $1,000, $3,000 or $5,000. This is a reimbursement grant, no up-front costs will be paid.

Eligible Expenses

Booth space rental
Booth design, build, shipping, material handling, installation and other trade show related fees
Trade show auxiliary service fees (trash, sampling, electrical, etc.)

Eligibility

Must be an Indiana Grown Member
Must not be using any other grant or cost sharing program for this trade show, including Branded Program and IN-STEP
Must have a commercially ready product with existing sales
Must use funds to exhibit at trade show (must identify which trade show in application)
Must be a small business – according to the U.S. Small Business Administration

“Multiple Indiana Grown members were able to attend tradeshows across the country last year and expand their business opportunities,” said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown Director. “We hope to continue showcasing and supporting Indiana Grown businesses across the country and globe through offering this grant program.”

Indiana Grown members interested in applying for this grant, viewing scoring criteria and post-award requirements can find more information here. Any questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." data-linkto="mailto:" data-cke-saved-href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.?subject=">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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ABOUT INDIANA GROWN
Indiana Grown is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the lieutenant governor’s office. The initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps Indiana farmers and producers sell more products and supports Indiana businesses in their efforts to process more Indiana Grown products. Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans, as well as retailers, grocers, hospitals and restaurants. For more information, visit indianagrown.org.

The Washington County Extension Board Annual Meeting & 4-H Recognition Banquet is Monday, October 21 at Cornerstone Hall (1500 RC Morris Dr., Salem) at 6:30 pm.

The evening will feature a delicious buffet, 4-H volunteer and youth awards, Extension Board recognition, and Purdue Extension updates.

Donations will be collected to assist Washington County’s Purdue CARET members.

Reservations are required by Monday, October 14, 2024 to Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601.

This event is made possible by generous sponsors.

Get ready for the holidays with a delicious treat while supporting local youth! The Washington County 4-H Jr. Leaders are hosting their annual Cheese Ball fundraiser to help cover the costs of trips and activities for the upcoming year. This is a great opportunity to support the future leaders of our community while stocking up on a tasty snack for your Thanksgiving table.

Cheese Balls are just $8 each and come in three flavors: Plain, Parsley, and Pecan. Each cheese ball also contains chipped beef and spices. Place your order by November 13 at 4 p.m. and pick them up on November 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the Washington County Extension Office, located at 806 Martinsburg Rd, Suite 104, Salem.

To order, call the Extension Office at 812-883-4601.

As hunting season approaches, having the right tools can make all the difference. The Washington County Plat Book, produced by Purdue Extension - Washington County in partnership with Mapping Solutions, is an essential resource for hunters. This spiral-bound edition features detailed land ownership maps, showing property boundaries and township layouts, crucial for navigating the area responsibly.

In addition to standard landownership maps, the plat book includes enhanced LiDAR aerial maps that provide a 3D-like view of the terrain, helping hunters understand the topography and plan their excursions effectively.

Owning this plat book is invaluable for hunters, property owners, and those looking to explore the land responsibly. It not only helps to identify public and private lands but also enhances your understanding of the local landscape, making for a safer and more successful hunting experience.

Available for purchase at the Purdue Extension - Washington County office (806 Martinsburg Rd., Ste 104, Salem) for $30, the Washington County Plat Book is an excellent resource for anyone participating in the upcoming hunting season.