McClain FFA members pictured at “The Big E” in Massachusetts are (l-r) Reese Roble, Olivia Stegbauer, Toree Wareikis, Addison Goddard, Avery Murphy, Maguire Ross, Brooklyn Baldwin, and FFA advisor Madison Schumacher.
Photo courtesy of Madison Schumacher
A team of McClain FFA members was recently awarded a national title in a competition at a long-running exposition in Massachusetts.
These students, who achieved first place in a contest regarding agricultural issues, were recognized on Sept. 16 by the board of education for their achievement at that contest at the Eastern States Exposition, which has been held annually in West Springfield, Massachusetts for more than 100 years.
“The Big E,” as the exposition is called, said McClain FFA advisor Madison Schumacher, is a 17-day fair and educational institute held each September. And, she said, it is the nation’s only multi-state fair and hosts students from across the midwest and the eastern states who participate in a variety of career development events.
Schumacher said the McClain FFA team qualified for the Agricultural Issues contest at the exposition after placing second in the Ohio FFA’s competition held earlier this year in the spring.
It is a leadership development event, Schumacher said of the Agricultural Issues competition, where students research and present their findings to a panel of judges regarding an agricultural issue. The issue the McClain FFA team presented was social media in agriculture and whether social media helps or harms the agricultural industry.
Schumacher said the event also helps students develop skills not only in leadership but also in communication and working as part of a team.
The team arrived back in Greenfield on Sept. 15 to much fanfare, as people gathered along the streets with handmade signs as the bus arrived back to the school led by the flashing lights of Greenfield police and Paint Creek EMS/Fire District vehicles.
There are always good things happening with the McClain FFA and in the Greenfield Exempted Village School District. To follow along, check out the McClain FFA’s Facebook page, the school district’s Facebook and other social media pages, and the district website at greenfield.k12.oh.us.
