Flanagan-Cornell FFA honored at state convention

Pontiac Daily Leader
·5 min read
The Flanagan-Cornell FFA chapter was well represented at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention and came home with numerous awards and honors. Making the trip were, in front from left, Gus Koeller, Trevor Brown, Trinity Crego, Tomi Ross, Neve Pinkerton, Hattie Koeller, Cameran Corrigan, Grace Brown, Tiffany Rustman and Andrew Koeller. In back are Sam Jones, Wyatt Zehr, Emerson Weber, Kesler Collins, William Weber, Seth Jones and Zander Flowers.

SPRINGFIELD — Along with more than 5,000 others, the Flanagan-Cornell FFA chapter members attended the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention recently.

With a 2022 theme of “Initiate,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.

During the convention, the following awards were presented to the Flanagan-Cornell FFA chapter. The advisors of the Flanagan-Cornell FFA Chapter are Jessica Collins and Carley Zimmerman.

Hattie Koeller was recognized as one of 10 outstanding chapter presidents at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
Hattie Koeller was recognized as one of 10 outstanding chapter presidents at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.

Top 10 Chapter President: Hattie Koeller was recognized as one of 10 outstanding chapter presidents in the state who achieved the highest degree of excellence during their year of service to their chapter. The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders sponsors the Top 10 Chapter Presidents Award.

Aiden Harner, right,, shown with parents Mike and Abby Harner, was selected as State FFA Proficiency winner in Agricultural Mechanics-Repair and Maintenance Placement and as the District 2 Star in Agricultural Placement at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
Aiden Harner, right,, shown with parents Mike and Abby Harner, was selected as State FFA Proficiency winner in Agricultural Mechanics-Repair and Maintenance Placement and as the District 2 Star in Agricultural Placement at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.

Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement State Proficiency Winner: Aidan Harner was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Agricultural Mechanics-Repair and Maintenance Placement. Aidan is the son of Michael and Abby Harner. For his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Aidan works for Prairie State Tractor in Pontiac, as a high school technician apprentice assisting a full-time mechanic. Over time, he has gained the responsibilities of working on equipment by himself. Additionally, Aidan works on his family's farm to repair and maintain the equipment. He performs all preventive maintenance and in-field repairs to keep the equipment moving. Through his SAE, Aidan has gained knowledge in air conditioning, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

State Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist — District 2: Aidan Harner was selected as the District 2 Star in Agricultural Placement. He has two grain production record books and helps plant in the spring, apply anhydrous ammonia during the summer, and harvest in the fall. He has one Fiber and Oil record book and works ground, plants, and harvests. Aidan also has two Agricultural Mechanics — Repair and Maintenance record books. For one, he works for Prairie State Tractor in Pontiac as a high school technician apprentice. For the other record book, he works on the family farm and performs all preventive maintenance and in-field repairs. Through these record books, Aidan has learned the importance of record keeping and time management.

Wyatt Zehr, right, shown here with parents Gary and Tricia Zehr, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
Wyatt Zehr, right, shown here with parents Gary and Tricia Zehr, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.

Dairy Production Entrepreneurship State Proficiency Winner: Wyatt Zehr was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship. Wyatt is the son of Gary and Tricia Zehr. Wyatt is a fourth-generation dairy farmer who raises registered Holstein cows, replacement heifers, and calves. His herd consists of 16 purebred registered Holsteins. Throughout this project, Wyatt has experienced many ups and downs with death loss, bull calves, and cull cows. His project has taught him hard work, determination, and dedication. Wyatt plans to continue his involvement in the dairy industry by attending South Dakota State University to major in dairy manufacturing with a minor in ag business.

Grace Brown, right, with parents Jim and Christine Brown, as selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Diversified Livestock Production at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention
Grace Brown, right, with parents Jim and Christine Brown, as selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Diversified Livestock Production at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention

Diversified Livestock Production State Proficiency Winner: Grace Brown was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Diversified Livestock Production. Grace is the daughter of Jim and Christine Brown. Grace is a second-generation livestock farmer raising registered Shorthorn and Simmental cows, registered Boer goats, and meat chickens. For her Supervised Agricultural Experience, she has 34 head of cattle and six head of goats. Grace has been able to take advantage of new genetics by using her artificial insemination certification. This has allowed her to succeed at the local and state level where she has earned champion honors at various shows. In the poultry sector of her operation, Grace raises, butchers, and sells meat chickens in the summer to local customers. She also works at a local dairy farm where she milks 125 head of cattle after school and cares for the calves. Grace's projects have taught her hard work, determination, and dedication that she plans to use in her future career as a veterinarian and livestock producer.

Sam Jones, right, with parents Chad and Ginny Jones, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Nursery Operations at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
Sam Jones, right, with parents Chad and Ginny Jones, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Nursery Operations at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.

Nursery Operations State Proficiency Winner: Sam Jones was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Nursery Operations. Sam is the son of Chad and Ginny Jones. For his Supervised Agricultural Experience, Sam works at his family's greenhouse and garden center. They grow a variety of bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, trees, and fall mums that are sold at three retail locations and to wholesale customers. Through the years, Sam's involvement in the company has evolved from being a general laborer behind the scenes to becoming an experienced and knowledgeable asset to the operation. Through the project, Sam has learned customer service, plant identification, machine operation, and management skills.

William Weber, second from right, with parents Dan and Heather Weber (left) and award sponsor Joe Webel of The Maschhoffs, LLC, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency wnner in Service Learning at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
William Weber, second from right, with parents Dan and Heather Weber (left) and award sponsor Joe Webel of The Maschhoffs, LLC, was selected as the State FFA Proficiency wnner in Service Learning at the 94th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.

Service Learning State Proficiency Winner: William Weber was selected as the State FFA Proficiency winner in Service Learning. William is the son of Dan and Heather Weber. For his Supervised Agricultural Experience, William has a two-phase service project that benefits Evergreen Lake and Comlara Park in Hudson. The first phase consisted of removing 650 square feet of invasive brush and trees in one day at the lake's Camp Cove. More than 50 volunteers helped complete the first phase. By removing the brush, the public can fish from the shoreline and there's a better source of fish habitat. The second phase of the project was cutting, assembling, and installing a kiosk by the main boat dock of the cove to provide educational and informational materials about the camp, lake, and fish in the lake. With the help of the volunteers, a total of 210 hours were spent on this project. The Maschhoffs, LLC, sponsors this service learning recognition.

National Chapter Award State Finalist: The National Chapter State Finalist Award is given to the top 10% of chapters in the state of Illinois with the highest overall scores on the National Chapter Award application. Flanagan-Cornell FFA was selected as a National Finalist as they were ranked the seventh best program in the State of Illinois based off of their application. Now their application will be sent to nationals where they will compete for awards at the national level.

Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA Western Region Vice President Josiah Cruikshank of Oregon and from each of the retiring major state officers.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Flanagan-Cornell FFA honored at state convention