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Lord Botetourt FFA Attends Virginia FFA Association's 83rd State FFA
Convention June 22-25, 2009: submitted by Stuart Byrd

The Lord Botetourt FFA Chapter recently attended the 83rd Virginia FFA Association State Convention held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA from June 22-25, 2009. Stuart Byrd, FFA Advisor accompanied the following students to the convention Matt Chocklett, Marie Galloway, Erich Lang, Michael Lehman, Ricky Phoenix, Josh Pinkard, Corey Reid, Matt Taylor and Thomas Williamson. To celebrate 83 years of tradition with the Virginia FFA, this year's convention included remembering the past and looking forward to the future.
Virginia FFA Association is an organization of over 10,500 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 167 local chapters throughout the Commonwealth. FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
While at the convention Students were able to attend many sessions with outstanding keynote speakers including Ronnie Ansley, past president of the National FFA Alumni Association and Riley Branch, National FFA Western region Vice President. The sessions also included recognition of students for their achievements over the year, including LB FFA's own Matt Chocklett and Matt Taylor who were recognized for placing 2nd in the FFA tractor troubleshooting CDE this year. The FFA is also a student run organization, Marie Galloway and Thomas Williamson represents the chapter at the annual business session where they served on standing committees and voted on items from dues increases to adopting the new slate of State Officers. At one session Lord Botetourt students, Matt Chocklett, Sarah Edwards, Marie Galloway, Erich Lang, Corey Reid, Allan Shay, Thomas Williamson, and Cory Wright Were bestowed with the highest degree that the state can present a member, which is the State FFA Degree. To get this honor students have to maintain records of FFA activities that they have participated in over their High School career, maintain Supervised Occupational Experience records on Agriculture related educational activities, volunteer work, and work experience in an agriculture related field.
Career development events were another important part of the convention, while at the convention all students represented the School well. The Farm Business Management team consisting of Erich Lang, Michael Lehman, Josh Pinkard and Thomas Williamson, placed 4th in the state. Thomas Williamson placed 10th high individual overall. Marie Galloway displayed and made a presentation on her science fair project where she raised chickens and made determinations of what feeds are most profitable to feed livestock during tough economic times. For her hard work she received a silver rating. The Agriculture Mechanics Team consisting of Matt Chocklett, Ricky Phoenix, Corey Reid and Matt Taylor, placed second in the State and have the opportunity to attend the Eastern States Exposition or better known as the "Big E", a tri-state fair which is one of the largest in the United States where they will compete against schools from the eastern region of the United States.
The Lord Botetourt FFA would like to thank everyone that has supported the chapter over this past year purchasing Hometown Scholarship Tickets for a New Dodge Truck, Apple Butter, Citrus Fruit, and Chicken BBQ Tickets. As well as those businesses that have made monetary donations to sponsor events including Blue Ridge Farm Center, Ikenberry's Orchard, New River Electric, and Roanoke Southern State Cooperative, Troutville Branch.. Without the support of all of these students of the Lord Botetourt FFA would have never had the opportunities to learn and show how outstanding they really are.
For more information on the Virginia FFA Association visit www.vaffa.org.