Cultivate Event Offers FFA Members Chance to Grow Skills

​From economic tariffs to farmers with disabilities, young people explored topics relating to agriculture on the York College campus on Thursday, November 29, as more than 200 FFA students from across the state participated in the fourth annual Cultivate Event. In December these students will begin competing in FFA events such as ag demonstration, parliamentary procedure, and agriculture literacy. At the York College hosted event, they had the opportunity to practice their presentations and hone their skills with feedback from college students and faculty/staff members.

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Rosie Nelson, a junior from O’Neill, was pleased with the Cultivate event, as it was an opportunity to practice her presentation on the need for increased diversity in FFA. “I’ve never given this speech to a crowd before. When I go to district competition, I’ll know more what I’m doing and I’ll be able to make it better,” she said. Rosie is part of a social media committee for the Farm Bureau of Nebraska responsible for increasing ag literacy. She enjoys participating in FFA for the networking. “You get to meet so many ag professionals and learn so much. It’s a great opportunity.”
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Ag education may be waning in some places, but it is still alive and well in Nebraska, as evidenced by the number and enthusiasm of the students at Cultivate. Quinton Micek has been a part of the Shelby-Rising City chapter of FFA for six years. He is part of the chapter’s parliamentary procedure (“parli pro”) team, which won silver at state two years ago. The variety of farm life appeals to him and he’s considering a career in ag. “It’s something different every day. You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. Micek appreciates events like Cultivate at York College and the National FFA Convention, “because you get out of school and you get to meet a lot of people,” he said.
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“The Cultivate Event began four years ago, as we looked for a way to use the amazing resources we have within the college and community to encourage high school agriculture students. Pre-competitive events of this type were a new idea in Nebraska and we’re proud to serve the agriculture programs across the state,” said event coordinator Stacie Turnbull, director of the agribusiness program at York College. “It’s an exciting opportunity to expose our York College students to the diverse topics in agriculture while helping FFA members prepare for success at districts and beyond. It’s also a great opportunity for them to learn about what York College has to offer students who want to study agriculture in a Christian school setting.”

Allissa Turnwall, a senior from Raymond-Central (Northwest of Lincoln) is the president of her FFA chapter. She attended the Cultivate Event at YC last year as well as this year. “It was really helpful to work out our last minute issues before districts. We put the judges’ feedback to use and it helped us get better,” she said. Turnwall loves FFA, which she has been a part of for five years. “I am passionate about agriculture and FFA has given me the the leadership and communication skills so I can advocate for it. I want everyone to know you don’t have to be a ‘farm kid’ to be in FFA. Ag is for everyone. There are so many diverse careers in agriculture.” 

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Results from 2018 Cultivate:  FFA LDE

Senior Parli Pro  
1. Raymond Central
2. Shelby Rising City
3. Waverly
4. St. Edward

Conduct of Chapter Meetings  
1. Ainsworth
2. Shelby-Rising City
3. Wood River and St. Edward 2 (tie)
4.  St. Edward 3

Ag Demo
1. Sutton
2. Cozad
3. O'Neil

Cooperative Speaking
1.  Garret Ingalls, Shelby Rising City
2.  Calli Baier, Arcadia

Natural Resources
1. Audrey Sorensen, Waverly
2. Gracie Schneider, Cozad
3. Abby Eberspacher, Exeter-Milligan-Friend  

Discovery Speaking
1. Heather Lange, Raymond Central
2. Aurora Sulsarski, Shelby-Rising City
3. Jenna Logan, Shelby-Rising City

Senior Public Speaking
1. Rosie Nelson, O'Neil
2. Melody MacDonald, St. Edward
3. Lacy Rhoads, Arcadia

Junior Public Speaking
1. Maureen Arens, Ainsworth
2. Sadie Fales, Cozad
3. Carly Rose, Sutton

Extemporaneous
1.  Rachel Lange, Raymond Central
2.  William Yokel, Exeter-Milligan-Friend
3.  Adam Razey, Waverly

Ag Literacy
1. Kaylee Powell, Doniphan-Trumbull
2. Garrett Hansen, McCool Junction
3. Zoey Borgman, , Exeter-Milligan-Friend

Creed Speaking
1. Rylin Roach, Seward
2. Gracie Nuss, Sutton
3. Isabella Klein, Cozad
4. Faith Winkelmann, Seward
5. Brylee Shafer, Doniphan-Trumbull

Employment Skills
1. Madison Nuss, Sutton
2. Megan Fehr, Sutton
3. Katelyn Calhoun, Cozad
4. Levi Sorgenfrei, Wood River​