Fessenden-Bowdon FFA Banquet 2024

The Annual Parent-Member Banquet of the Fessenden-Bowdon FFA Chapter was held on Monday, March 25, in the new gym of the Fessenden-Bowdon School.

The annual banquet was a way for the chapter to recognize the accomplishments of its members and the students enrolled in agriculture education. This year the chapter celebrated their 75th year of FFA in Fessenden and their 69th Annual Parent-Member Banquet.

The first main item on the agenda was the Initiation of the Greenhand members. The Chapter initiated nine greenhand FFA members by performing the Greenhand Degree Ceremony. Those receiving their greenhand degrees were Luke Johnson, Remington Snively, Chloe Bartz, Grace Bruer, Brody Jones, Braylee Keller, Britain Kittleson, Lane Risovi and Hanna Widicker. The chapter's creed contestant, Hanna Widicker, presented the FFA Creed to all in attendance.

Winning Star awards for the night included Delaney Erfle – Star Farmer, Gavin Mason - Star in Agriculture Placement, Donavin Bartz, Star in Agribusiness, Hanna Widicker- Star Greenhand and Bella Long, Star Discovery.

Oil Can awards (which were actually Dremel tools) were presented to senior Ryan Snively, sophomore Carter Laber, and freshman Grace Bruer. These awards are given to FFA members who excel in the agriculture shop setting.

Brody Jones was presented his Grand Champion North Dakota Winter Show Trophy for his sample of safflower which won the top miscellaneous crops award at the show.

Proficiency Award winners included; Gavin Mason – Diversified Crop Production Placement; Delaney Erfle, Beef Production Entrepreneurship; Donavin Bartz, Agriculture Processing; Rylee Jones - Vegetable Production placement; Porter Johnson - Turf Grass Management; Boston Fike - Grain Production Placement; Lucas Copenhaver - Turf Grass Management; and Rachel Neumiller, Turf Grass Management.

Judging awards went to the following members: Gavin Mason - Top Agronomy Judger; Brody Jones - Top State Fair Exhibitor; Ryan Snively – Top Quiz Member 2023; Hanna Widicker – Top Junior Quiz Member; Delaney Erfle - Top land judger; Logan Grover - Top Nursery & Landscape Member; Carter Laber - Top Agriculture Mechanics member; Rylee Jones - Top Small Animal Care Member; Donavin Bartz - Top Food Science Member; Ryan Snively - Top Environmental and Natural Resources member and Kendra Hoff - Top fundraiser.

A speaking award was given to Hanna Widicker for Creed Speaking, an Extemporaneous speaking award to Gavin Mason, a demonstration speaking award to Rachel Neumiller, and an employment skills award to Delaney Erfle.

Chapter Farmer Degrees and pins were presented to Peyton Austin, Madison Brame, Jessica Cazier, Rebecca Copenhaver, Jacob Hagemeister, Carter Laber, Rachel Neumiller, Marshall Peters, Aubree Rudel, Slade Stevens, Frikkie van Tonder and Klayton Volk and the Discovery Degrees and pins were presented to Logan Schimelfenig and Roxanne Snively.

Fessenden-Bowdon FFA Alumni Member Matt Mason, Presented Delaney Erfle, Ryan Snively, Kendra Hoff and Donavin Bartz with the Alumni and Supporters Scholarships.

Mr. Moellenkamp presented the FFA officers with their retiring plaques. Those officers were president, Delaney Erfle; vice president, Ryan Snively; secretary, Rylee Jones; treasurer, Donavin Bartz; reporter, Kendra Hoff and sentinel, Hanna Widicker.

The chapter bestowed upon Matt Mason and Kent Dennis, the Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree for their years of support of the local chapter.

The chapter members wish to thank their parents, school staff, labor sale contributors, alumni members and others for helping to make their year a success.