The UTM Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter competed at the Tennessee FFA Alumni Convention Feb. 22, receiving the title of Best Collegiate Chapter in the state.
The competition, held at Montgomery Bell State Park, resulted in the chapter reclaiming the title it once held in 2014.
The students had the opportunity to compete in competitions such as on-the-spot speeches, prepared speeches, agriculture education, agricultural business, agricultural production, a quiz bowl, and a t-shirt design contest for the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Educators.
The students also put together a basket for a silent auction at the conference. UTM competed against UTK, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee Tech.
Mary Lane Minatra, a junior Agriculture Business major from Rockvale, said, “[The award] shows the level of skill that our members at UTM have and how we worked hard to prepare for the competition.”
Continuing in FFA in college is a great opportunity to deepen one’s engagement in learning agriculture, according to Minatra.
“Most of our members were involved [in FFA] in high school,” said Minatra. “We all love getting to stay involved on a different level and getting to help other high school chapters in the area. Through UTM, students can still go to conventions for free and represent UTM.”
Collegiate FFA offers students the chance to continue competing and learning more about agriculture while still representing the university.
The UTM chapter of the collegiate FFA was founded in the 1970s, making them the oldest collegiate FFA chapter in Tennessee. It is made up of individuals from around the state and is about 85 members strong.
Throughout the year, they are able to do many things on campus that help them to further the FFA purpose of making a positive difference in students’ lives and furthering agricultural education.
For more information, contact faculty advisor Dr. William Bird at (731)-881-7271.
Photo Credit: UTM FFA
