ST. LEON, IN — Twenty-five members of the East Central FFA Chapter competed in the Indiana 4-H/FFA State Horticulture Career Development Event on Saturday, October 9 at Purdue University. There were a total of 50 teams from throughout Indiana that participated in the event.
Each FFA member had to complete several components to complete the competition. Members completed a plant identification practicum where they had to identify ornamental trees and shrubs, flowering and indoor plants, fruits, and vegetables. They also had to complete a general knowledge exam and a plant quality grading practicum where they ranked specimens in a class from best to worst.
East Central’s top senior team, the East Central Aloes placed 12th out of 50 teams. The team consisted of Adrien King, Megan Sierra, Hadrian Emley and Emma Gutfreund. The East Central Pansies placed 13th. This team included Jasmyn Callaway, Kylee Starost, Evan Kuhn, and Emma Reatherford. The East Central Roses placed 20th overall. This team included Jasmin Keith, Kody Schilling, Mack Eckstein, and John Kathman.
Other senior-level members competing on the remaining teams included; Wyatt Smith, John Craig, Julie Rider, Sophie Hirt, Ana Eckstein, Thomas Eckstein, Marissa Gabbard, Evan Kramer, and Autumn Seibert.
East Central had a junior team of middle school FFA members. The East Central Orchids placed 9th overall out of 15 teams. This team included Brooklyn Botts, Tank Chambers, Noah Lewis, and Emma Guck. Brooklyn Botts placed 17th overall out of 48 junior-level competitors.
(East Central FFA press release)
