FFA students attend state convention

DECATUR — Members of the Decatur FFA received a number of awards during the 85th State FFA Convention, held from June 8 to 10 at Camp Couchdale near Hot Springs.

The Decatur FFA received a National Chapter Award at the convention and was recognized for participating in the Camp Couchdale Clean Up project.

In order to receive the National Chapter Award, the Decatur chapter had to meet all the state and national requirements and document their committees and activities, ag teacher Lisa Barrett said.

Three Decatur FFA members - Hollee Coe, Brady Graves and Blake Wilkins - also received their State FFA Degree at the convention.

Jayme Burden served as the Decatur FFA delegate during the voting and business sessions of the convention.

To earn a state FFA Degree students have to earn a Greenhand Degree as a freshman and a Chapter Farmer Degree as a sophomore or junior, Barrett explained.

Students have to document and showcase all their FFA work over their four year high school career, including their community service, leadership work and project work.

Lensey Watson servedwith the Courtesy Corp which helps with the organization and running of the convention. She was also selected as Arkansas State Talent and performed a flute solo duringthe convention.

Watson won first place in the state equine proficiency, which will be judged at the national level. She also won second place in the sheep proficiency.