East Central FFA Horticulture Teams Compete

The Indiana 4-H/FFA State Horticulture Career Development Event took place at Purdue University.

Photos Provided

(St. Leon, IN) - Sixteen members of the East Central FFA Chapter competed in the Indiana 4-H/FFA State Horticulture Career Development Event on Saturday September 20st at Purdue University. There were a total of 52 high school and 13 middle school 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 identified ornamental trees and shrubs, flowering and indoor plants, and fruits and vegetables. They also completed 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 placed 9th out of 52 teams.

The team consisted of Tyler Stenger, Parker Simpson, Cambryn Botts and Noah Lewis. East Central’s other senior team placed 25th. This team included Ashtyn Galey, Reagan Whitehead, Leah Weber and Ella Lostutter. The top placing senior individual was Tyler Stenger, who placed 17th out of 214 competitors. Parker Simpson placed 27th.

East Central had two junior teams consisting of middle school FFA members. East Central’s top Junior team placed 7th out of 13 teams. This team included Maci Newman, Hudson Walter, Marison Rodriguez and Annabelle Edmonds. The other junior team placed 9th and included Aubrey McCarty, Ben Franz, Chase Leurck and Nate McKenzie. The top placing junior individual was Maci Newman, who placed 17th out of 53 junior competitors.