Seneca FFA Agronomy Career Development team third in state

The 2020 Seneca Future Farmers of America Agronomy Career Development team repeated last year’s feat by placing third in the state. In the fall, the team captured first place in the Section 7 career development event and fifth place in the Southern Illinois University virtual agronomy CDE.

In the Section 7 CDE, which was held virtually, Seneca claimed nine of the top-10 places. Calvin and Levi Maierhofer placed second and third, respectively, followed by Emma Smith in fourth, Chris Poyner in fifth, Laura Yegge in sixth, Ashlin Jackson in seventh, Hailey Kennedy in eighth, Hailey Kennedy in ninth and Danny Widman in 10th.

As part of the third-place state team, Poyner was the fifth-highest individual, Levi Maierhofer was sixth, Emma Smith was 10th and Calvin Maierhofer was 12th. There were 44 teams and 161 individuals competing.

In the junior varsity division, Seneca FFA won both the SIU and state FFA CDEs. Individuals placing in the top 10 in the state were Colin Collet in second, Ashlin in Jackson in fourth, Bryce Roe in fifth, Ashley Alsvig in sixth, Hailey Kennedy in eighth and Kelli Pumphrey in 10th.

The agronomy CDE requires the identification of agronomic plants and their seeds, identification and knowledge of insects, weed plant and seed identification, grading grain and feed samples, and the completion of a written exam to display contestants’ agronomic knowledge.

The agronomy CDE is an extension of the plant science curriculum at SHS and contributes to the FFA mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.