FFA Reports → State Report April
Author: Kaitlyn Noyes
FFA Reports → State Report April
Kaitlyn Noyes, Broadwater FFA Reporter
April 17th - May 1st, 2023
Future Farmers of America (FFA) Officer Banquet: 8th Annual FFA Awards Banquet
On April 17th, 2023, Broadwater FFA held our 8th Annual Awards Banquet! The night included a
delicious pasta dinner provided by Kelly Morrow, a keynote speaker, degree recognition, awards, new
officer installations, and was finished off with dessert cookies provided by the FFA Alumni and Supports
Group.
Our inspiring keynote speaker was Kelsey Proue, the Montana FFA Foundation Director of
Operations, who talked about her own experience in agriculture and working with the FFA Foundation.
She reminded us to keep our options open and to have goals but be open to new opportunities that come
along.
FFA is structured into a degree program that rewards active FFA members for progress in all
phases of leadership, skills, and occupational development. The first degree is the Discovery FFA Degree.
To be eligible for this degree, 8th-grade students must be enrolled in an agricultural course for a portion of
the school year and participate in at least one local FFA chapter activity. It is my great pleasure to say that
our Discovery Degree Recipients went above and beyond the basics and took their Conduct of Chapter
Meetings team to the State Convention this year. Our Discovery Degree recipients were Jacey Brunette,
Airabella McDaniel, Sarah Morgan, Amy Peters, Jazel Ragen, Sierra Sherrard, Emily Taves, and Madison
Zaharko.
Additionally, the recipients of the Greenhand Degree were Ashley Sanderson, Kaitlyn Noyes,
Aiden Kitto, Spencer Braaten, Ross MacDonald, and Julian Stewart. For a member to receive their
Greenhand FFA Degree they must---Enroll in an agricultural education class and have satisfactory plans
for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). They need to learn and explain the FFA Creed, Mission,
Motto, and salute. They also need to describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors,
along with demonstrating an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA
jacket. Greenhands must demonstrate an understanding of the history of the organization, the chapter
constitution and bylaws, and the chapter Program of Activities. They also must submit a written
application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.
We also honored Kadyn Braaten on receiving her American Degree. This means that she had to
get her State FFA Degree and be an active FFA member for the past 36 months. She had to take a
minimum of 540 hours of agricultural education courses, have an operational and well documented
Supervised Agricultural Experience, and have earned $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or spent
over 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. She needed to have a record of outstanding leadership
abilities and community involvement, and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better.
She also needed to complete 50 hours of community service. Less than 1% of FFA Members actually
complete their American FFA Degree.
This year our chapter also selected three Honorary Degree Recipients. The purpose of the
The honorary FFA Degree is to recognize individuals who have rendered outstanding service to agricultural
education and FFA. Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional service to agriculture,
agricultural education, and/or FFA. This year’s honorary FFA Degree Recipients are Lisa Higgins, Jess
Moody, and Tyler Noyes.
We recognized many of our members for their outstanding accomplishments this year. First was
the “Most Active Award” to Freshmen: Spencer Braaten and Ashley Sanderson, Sophomore: Amanda
Pesiscka, Junior: Kayla Kraft, Senior: Justene Santi, and Overall: Kaitlyn Noyes. The average number of
activities that these students attended this year was 20 FFA activities. Next, we awarded the “Merit
Award” given to Freshmen: Kaitlyn Noyes and Ashley Sanderson, and Junior: Kayla Kraft.
Each Agricultural Education student is tasked with creating a Supervised Agricultural
Experience (SAE). The SAE program is the best way for students to control what they learn, do and earn. There
is potential to earn cash, awards, and recognition. SAEs are year-round projects or enterprises where you
apply agricultural skills and knowledge taught in the classroom. This year, we awarded a $150 grant to
Spencer Braaten’s Berkshire Breeding Entrepreneurship SAE. He will use the funds for designing a label
for his meat-selling business.
We also recognized community members who have gone above and beyond with the support of
our chapter. Recognition was also given to Hugh Braaten for “Outstanding Citizenship” and the Fishtale
Tavern for “Outstanding Business”. We could not accomplish the things that we have without the support
and help from members of our community, such as these great examples.
Now, the part everyone was looking forward to, our new officers! Thanks to our nominating
committee, Codie Skillman, Justene Santi, Bailey Taves, Alana Oisted, and Rick Naber, we are proud to
announce the installation of our new officers as follows:
President: Kayla Kraft
Vice President: Amanda Pesiscka
Secretary: Ashley Sanderson
Treasurer: Ross MacDonald
Reporter: Kaitlyn Noyes
Sentinel: Spencer Braaten
Historian: Jacey Brunette
Parliamentarian: Grace Kroeger
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