Jonesville FFA travels to national convention and exposition
JONESVILLE — Last week, three local students from the Jonesville Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter placed at the 96th National FFA Convention and Exposition.
The fair was open to 7-12th-graders from across the nation and students Ryder Cornett, Alexis Ewing and Gracen Hager all placed.
Abigail Stubbins is the Jonesville FFA Advisor and the agriculture science teacher at Jonesville High School.
“I’m in charge of helping students find their passion and turn it into a science fair project or another competition,” she said. “The competition itself is a scientific research project that has to revolve around agriculture, food and natural resources industries.”
Ryder Cornett, the chapter’s reporter, won ninth in the nation in the Agriscience Fair, competing in the Division 3 Social System.
“The Agriscience fair was my first project that I have completed. It is titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Food Waste,’” Cornett said. “I was able to place ninth in the nation, which is one of my most amazing achievements and memories!”
Alexis Ewing and Gracen Hager placed fourth nationally in Division 6 Plant Systems with a project titled “The Effect of Microplastics on the Physiology of Different Types of Plants.”
“We have competed at the National Agriscience Fair for three years now. We have researched topics such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and now microplastics,” Hager said.
Stubbins said she was proud of the students making it to nationals and said she was excited they had the opportunity to attend the convention.
“To make it to the national level they must’ve placed first in their category,” Stubbins said. “I truly enjoy being able to advise and help students find their passion in agriculture. Most students aren’t raised on a farm anymore and do not know the options in the agriculture industry. Competitions like agriscience fair allows for students to find new passions and opportunities that follow their goals in life.”
The Indianapolis convention set a record, with 72,000 attending.
In Jonesville, over 90 students participate in the Jonesville FFA, which has a large focus on how it can serve the community.
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“Our chapter focuses on assisting with food drives, growing and donating produce to food banks and helping set up for different holiday events,” Stubbins said. “We also work with local agriculture groups like Farm Bureau to be any extra help putting on any agriculture education programs!”
Cornett, who has been involved with FFA since freshman year, said he is glad to be involved with FFA and see the positive impact his research has had on the community.
“Throughout my time as a part of FFA, my favorite part is working with fellow members. I enjoy spending time with everyone during competitions and traveling. Everyone is like family to me,” he said. “My research has been proven to help benefit our community in amazing ways.”
— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at ehawkins@hillsdale.edu.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Jonesville FFA travels to national convention and exposition
