Cashmere FFA earns national recognition at Indianapolis convention

CASHMERE – Cashmere FFA brought home two top-four finishes and $2,500 in scholarships from the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, marking the group’s fourth consecutive year competing at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Eight students represented Washington in two Career Development Event (CDE) competitions, earning recognition on the national stage at Lucas Oil Stadium. The two teams were the Environmental Natural Resources team and the Milk Quality and Products team.

Students earned the sole right to represent Washington in each of the events, Cashmere FFA advisor Rusty Finch said. 

After hours of practice and preparation, Cashmere placed all eight of its competitors in the Gold Tier, meaning they finished in the top one-third of the individuals competing. 

Both teams were recognized at Lucas Oil Stadium since they qualified in the “Final Four.” 

Cashmere’s Environmental Natural Resources team beat 43 other teams to end up 2nd in the Nation. Tony Bumgarner finished 3rd individually out of 171 contestants and won a $900 cash award. Jesse Hall won a $400 award.

The Milk Quality and Products team placed 3rd in the nation out of 41 total teams. Aztlan Oropeza finished 10th individually out of 164 competitors. Oropeza, Sophie Hill, and Anna Flick each won an individual $400 award,

Members of the Environmental Natural Resources team took a 50-question environmental science test, tested surface water for nitrates, temperature, and pH, identified natural resource equipment and species, navigated a GPS course, and evaluated a section of soil and land, recommending erosion prevention strategies.

To further prepare for the competitions, the Environmental Natural Resources team toured and worked with professionals from Purdue University’s Soil Science Department and the curator from the Vertebrate Museum in the Natural Resources Department.

Prior to departure, the team visited Robbette Schmit at Winton Compost Works for an in-depth tour of a local compost facility. This proved to be a very valuable field trip as the team activity portion of the competition asked the students to solve a scenario involving solid waste and landfills.

The Milk Quality team had to identify 20 potential cheeses and their production characteristics, milk quality defects, conduct a California Mastitis Test and evaluate bulk samples of milk data tests as they relate to the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. 

The Milk Quality Team toured the Dandy Breeze Jersey Dairy north of Indianapolis to prepare for their team activity presentation. 

“Both teams would like to thank everyone who supported them along the way,” Finch said. “We would especially like to recognize our major auction donors to the Prime Rib Dinner, an event that helps generate travel funds.”

Major donors include Josh and Dora Potter, Camikae Lynch, Glenn and Danielle Johnson, Amanda McCargo of Brown Family Homestead, Bruce Valentine, Brian Hendricks, Chris and  Autumn Flick, Aaron and Linda Alberts, and Mountain Springs Lodge. 

“We would also like to thank the individuals who sponsored a $500 meal for the teams while in Indianapolis,” he said. “Thank you to Daryl and Lorna Harnden, Bob Wildfang, Shon and Janeen

Smith, Jerod and Erin Kitchel and Chris and Autumn Flick.”