INDIANAPOLIS — As the agricultural community becomes increasingly global, it is crucial that young people considering careers in the industry understand the opportunities and challenges of international trade. A group of 52 national FFA award winners will tour agricultural sites in Ireland this summer and compare the industries of Ireland and the United States. Following an orientation session in New York City on June 8, the group will depart for a nine-day tour.
Participants were selected from the 188 National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award finalists and the 16 American Star Award national finalists named last October at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The international experience, as well as cash awards and plaques, are made possible by business and industry contributions to the National FFA Foundation.
Through June 16, participants will visit dairy, sheep, mussel and potato farms and a water buffalo dairy. In addition, they will visit a beef farm, which is one of the original members of the West Cork Beef Producers’ Group, and the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Horse breeding facility. FFA members will also visit Blarney Castle, experience the famed Ring of Kerry, view famous mountains and lakes and visit the dramatic 650-foot Cliffs of Moher.
During the trip, students have an opportunity to experience global agriculture and the culture of the Emerald Isle. The international travel experience is an educational study trip designed to introduce award participants to agriculture as it is practiced in other countries.
Students participating in the trip include:
Arkansas: Marissa Davis of Springdale
California: Tony Lopes of Gustine
Connecticut: Amy Pruner of Newtown
Florida: Quinton Glenn of Florida City
Georgia: Joseph Boddiford of Brooklet
Iowa: Marta Grant of Preston
Idaho: Ross Blattner of Kuna and Devin Fisher of Wilder
Illinois: Kacie Haag of Emington; Braden Ifft of Piper City; Brandon Livingston of Marietta; and Travis Winans of Taylorville
Indiana: Kenzie Kretzmeier of Fowler; Riley Lewis of LaGrange; and John Tracey of Wolcottville
Kansas: Natalie Harris of Abilene and Tyler Phillips of Emporia
Kentucky: Turner Cottrell of Magnolia and Morgan Jones of Richmond
Minnesota: Derek Krieger of Kerkhoven; Brett Petersen of Murdock; and David Stenzel of Wells
Missouri: Zachary Ayers of Green City and Jera Pipken of Republic
North Carolina: Daniel Wellons of Princeton
Nebraska: Brent Miller of Lyons and Jordan Paine of Oxford
Ohio: Reed Aller of Saint Marys; Frank Becker of Smithville; Olivia Congrove of Laurelville; Luke Durbin of New Philadelphia; Riley Evans of Washington Courthouse; Brandon Palmer of Amherst; and Evan Schaefer of Bloomingburg
Oklahoma: Sadie Collins of Jet; Dawson Haworth of Fairview; Maggie Martens of Fairview; Jesse Rader of Claremore; and Ethan Sacket of Aline
South Dakota: Shane Mueller of Garretson and Liz Renner of Garretson
Tennessee: Grant Dorris of Lexington
Texas: Clay Burkham of Canyon; Taylor Price of Pilot Point; Taylor Swinson of Sulphur Springs; and Taylor Williams of Dawson
Utah: Kaitlin Hallam of Spanish Fork
Virginia: Tess Seibel of Roanoke
Wisconsin: Brandon Anding of Granton; Matthew Kramer of St. Cloud; Nick Leystra of Randolph; and Nate Leystra of Randolph
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 649,355 student members who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 225,891 alumni members in 1,934 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.
–National FFA Organization
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