On September 16th through the 19th, Washington FFA members participated in the West Virginia State FFA Career Development Events on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown. Career development events provide competitive, educational activities that help students in middle and high school build professional, real-world skills focused on agriculture and leadership development. Results for these competitions are listed below:
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE (14 teams): Washington FFA placed 5th as a team
· Team members include Hunter Braithwaite, Kohlton Dailey, Mason Friend, and Abigail Lowe. Kohlton Dailey placed 8th place individually.
Farm Business Management CDE (4 teams): Washington FFA placed 1st place as a team and are the WV FFA State Champions
· Team members include Porter Bethke, Emmalea McNeely, Clay Stolipher and Tyler Stolipher. Individually, Clay Stolipher finished 1st in the state, Emmalea McNeely finished 2nd, Porter Bethke finished 3rd and Tyler Stolipher finished 6th.
Floriculture CDE (17 teams): Washington FFA placed 14th as a team
· Team members include Annabelle Bethke, Jovee Earl, Maddie McDonald, and Sadie Ward.
Livestock Evaluation CDE (26 teams): Washington FFA placed 2nd as a team
· Team members include Khloe Fisher, Clay Stolipher, Piper Stolipher, and Tyler Stolipher. Tyler Stolipher finished 3rd place individually and Clay Stolipher placed 6th place individually.
Meats Evaluation CDE (15 teams): Washington FFA placed 4th as a team
· Team members include Greyson Braithwaite, Cameron McDonald, Ryder Stolipher, and Gavin Watson.
The Farm Business Management team will represent West Virginia at the 2027 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
While on campus, FFA members participated in various workshops conducted by the West Virginia State Officer Team, toured the WVU Insect Zoo, attended the Davis College Majors Fair and watched the WVU Baseball Blue and Gold Scrimmage.