"Kentucky FFA, if your goal is good, then the sacrifice is worth it. If the goal is good, pour your heart and soul into what you are doing. Because what you are doing is making a difference in your life and in the lives of others."
- Jonathan Pinkston, Kentucky FFA President, 2021-22

FFA members from across Kentucky poured their hearts and souls into competing, making connections, and discovering new opportunities at this week's 93rd Kentucky FFA State Convention in Lexington.

It was our first fully in-person convention in three years, and that meant for about 90% of members attending, it was their very first state FFA convention ever. Attendance was great, with more than 2,400 members and guests at the closing session in Rupp Arena on Thursday morning.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to all the teachers, organizations, and volunteers who made it al run smoothly.

Here are a few convention highlights:
State Stars
Congratulations to the three individuals who were named as 2022 Kentucky State Stars!

Kentucky State Star Farmer (left)
Lindsey Garrett, Nicholas County FFA

Kentucky State Star in Agribusiness (center)
Katherine Woodward, Logan County FFA

Kentucky State Star in Placement (right)
Braden Compton, Meade County FFA
2022-2023 State Officers
Congratulations to the members who were selected to lead Kentucky FFA for the next year!

Front row (left to right): Secretary Madyson Planck, Nicholas County; Northern Kentucky State Vice President Madiline Strain, Simon Kenton; Barren River State Vice President Danyale Atwell, Edmonson County; Treasurer Miles Frailey, Webster County; Vice President Emma Sherman, Scott County; Sentinel Leslie Monhollen, Whitley County.

Back row (left to right): Reporter Waylon Wood, McCracken County; Lake Cumberland State Vice President Will Bonta, Green County; President Benjamin Williams, Nelson County Schools; Capital City State Vice President Casey Montgomery, Spencer County; Big Sandy State Vice President Tristen Sexton, East Carter; Pennyrile State Vice President Maggie Goode, Hopkinsville.

Proficiencies
Congratulations to the following members who won in their
Proficiency category:
Agricultural Communications Anna Shaffer - Western Hills

Agricultural Education 
Madison Wilmoth - LaRue County

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication
James Noah Peake - Caldwell County

Ag. Mechanics - Repair & Maintenance - Ent.
Hayden Cleveland - LaRue County

Ag. Mechanics- Repair & Maintenance- Placement
Nathan Patterson - Taylor County

Agricultural Processing
Alexis Robin -Bourbon County

Agricultural Sales-Ent.
Avery Stivers - Henry County

Agricultural Sales - Placement
Brad Gibbins - Taylor County

Agricultural Services
Hunter Stanley - Williamstown Independent

Agriscience Research- Animal Systems
Morgan Shipp - Williamstown Independent

Agriscience Research- Integrated Systems
Alexandria Whitman - Green County

Agriscience Research- Plant Systems
Kayci Jo Orazen - Nicholas County

Beef Production - Ent.
Clay Sparks - Bourbon County

Beef Production - Placement
Taylor Jeffries - Hart County

Dairy Production - Ent
Morgan Berryman - Jessamine County

Dairy Production- Placement
Whitley Robey - Logan County

Diversified Agricultural Production
Will Bonta - Green County

Diversified Crop Production- Ent.
Jeffrey Sprowles - Taylor County

Diversified Crop Production - Placement
Kolby Martin - Carlisle County

Diversified Horticulture
Amelia Ellis - Mercer County

Diversified Livestock Production
Mallory Wilson - Carlisle County
Environment Science and Natural Resources
Cody Wiersma

Equine Science - Ent.
G. Scout Sprowles - Taylor County

Equine Science- Placement
Cate Kupper -McCracken County

Fiber and Oil Crop
Zack Grogan - Carlisle County

Forage Production
Waylon Wood - McCracken County

Forest Management and Products
Madeline Woods - North Laurel

Fruit Production
Taylor Wynn - Caldwell County

Goat Production
Logen Hollen - Grant County

Grain Production
Avery Goodwin - McCracken County

Landscape Management
Carter Gibson - Carlisle County

Nursery Operations
Kylie York - Caldwell County

Outdoor Recreation
Kaylee Powers - McCracken County

Poultry Production
Molly Perkins - Harrison County

Service Learning
Isabella Thacker - Nicholas County

Sheep Production
Ashley Peck - Williamstown Independent

Small Animal Production and Care
Catie Lane - Taylor County

Specialty Animal Production Hannah Smith - Marshall County

Specialty Crop Production Jarren Bruer - Carlisle County

Swine Production- Ent.
Luke Millay - Meade County

Swine Production - Placement Jonathan Kough - Calloway County

Turf Grass Management
Kyle Chappell - Taylor County

Vegetable Production
Savannah Pittman - Calloway County

Veterinary Science
Sophie McAnelly - Taylor County

Wildlife Management
Sam Brown - Madisonville North Hopkins
Career Development Events
Congratulations to the following members and chapters who won in their CDE category:
Agricultural Communications
LaRue County
High Individual - Aiden Wagenlander - Cooper

Agricultural Essay
Sidney Sowder - Harrison County
              
Agricultural Sales
Logan County
High Individual - Brock Repsher - Logan County

American Institute of Cooperatives (AIC)
Rachel McClung - Caldwell County
 
Farm Business Management
LaRue County
High Individual - Nate Faulkner - LaRue County

Food Science
Nelson County
High Individual- Andrew Redding - LaRue County
Ag Marketing
Meade County

Milk Quality and Products
LaRue County
High Individual- Cash Lee - LaRue County
                                  
Record Keeping
Williamstown Independent
High Individual- Abby Knarr -Williamstown Independent
 
Talent
Corey Hedge - West Carter
Impromptu Speaking
Congratulations to the following members and chapters who won in their Impromptu Speaking Category:
Ag Mechanics
Sydney Tucker - Breckinridge County

Beef
Kat Hudson - Locust Trace

Crop
Jenna Diaz - Anderson County

Dairy
Bryanna Smith - Russell County

Floral
Lily Westerfield - Christian County

Fruit and Vegetable
Julie Goodwin - South Warren

Goat and Sheep
Chase Flach - Mercer County
Greenhouse
Haylea Brock - North Laurel

Horse
Bri Colston - Western Hills

Nursery/Landscape
Isasac Martin - Calloway County

Poultry
Kayci Jo Orazen - Nicholas County

Small Animal
Maddox Hazel - South Warren

Swine
Kamryn Leisure - Ohio County

Turf and Lawn
Jenna Coles - Logan County
Leadership Development Events
Congratulations to the following members and chapters who won their Leadership Development Events:
Agricultural Issues
Nicholas County

Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Lincoln County

Creed Speaking
Carver Woosley - South Warren

Employment Skills
Luke Luttrull - Christian County
Extemporaneous Speaking
Mollie Webb - Barren County

Parliamentary Procedure
Nicholas County

Prepared Public Speaking
Caroline Groth - Locust Trace

Quiz Contest
Anna Chaliff - Rockcastle County
Thank you Convention Sponsors!
Save the date for next year's state convention!
June 6-8, 2023, Lexington
The annual Blue & Gold Gala is a great opportunity to support Kentucky FFA members! Reserve your tickets now for the Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at the beautiful Legacy at Dant Crossing in Gethsemane, Kentucky.

This wonderful evening is all about supporting Kentucky FFA members and the programs that help them develop into leaders. Enjoy a Kentucky Proud feast, silent and live auctions, and entertainment.

You can learn more about our venue at dantcrossing.com. We are excited to use this fantastic facility for this year's Blue & Gold Gala!

Sponsorships and individual tickets are available at the link below. If you would like to donate an auction item or discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Sheldon McKinney at (606) 782-4620 or sheldon.mckinney@kyffa.org. We hope to see you there!
We're always happy to hear from you!
Sheldon McKinney
Executive Director sheldon.mckinney@kyffa.org
606-782-4620
Ashley Weaver
Stewardship & Admin Coordinator
270-606-1004
Don't Forget About These Easy Ways to Support Kentucky FFA!
Support Kentucky FFA each time you shop on Amazon by using smile.amazon.com, and designating Kentucky FFA as your charitable recipient. Amazon will donate .05% of the purchase price on all eligible items at no additional cost to you.
Go to Kroger.com, and sign in. Go to "My Account," then choose community rewards and select Kentucky FFA as your organization. After that, each time you make a purchase using your Kroger Shopper's Card, Kroger will make a donation to the Kentucky FFA Foundation at no additional cost to you.
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