Several members from the Marion/Florence FFA chapter were recognized at the South Central District FFA Banquet April 16 as district proficiency award winners.
Caleb Hett was the winner in the area of Diversified Grain in the placement division. He works for his parents in their grain farming operation. Caleb helps with tillage, planting, and harvesting operations for their wheat, corn and soybean enterprises.
Carley Stapleford received the district proficiency award in Diversified Horticulture. She works for Aunt Bee’s, where she helps make floral arrangements, makes deliveries, assists customers and helps in the greenhouse.
She also helps in her family’s large garden at home. Carley also won the Diversified Horticulture Proficiency award at the state level and will be recognized at the State FFA Convention in June.
Kaitlyn Goebel received the district proficiency award in Small Animal Production and Care. Her program consists of raising and selling rabbits. She has several does that she is breeding to produce rabbits and sells their offspring privately on the internet as well as some at local farm supply stores.
Goebel was also recognized as the district winner in Veterinary Science. She works at the Animal Health Center of Marion and also has a work-study program there. Her activities include assisting the veterinarians with procedures, caring for animals, and helping clean and sanitize the clinic. She also works for Bluestem Animal Clinic in El Dorado while attending college at Butler County Community College.
Antone Vinduska was recognized as the district proficiency award winner in forage entrepreneurship. His activities in this area of proficiency include cutting and baling hay on 30 acres of ground that he rents. He exchanges his labor for the use his father’s equipment and also puts up hay for his father for use in their cattle herd.
Caleb Hett, Antone Vinduska, Carley Stapleford, and Kaitlyn Goebel were also recognized for qualifying for their state FFA degree which is the highest FFA degree that the state can bestow on its members.
The Marion/Florence FFA Chapter was also recognized as a superior chapter in the National Chapter Award Program.
All district winners received a plaque and a cash award from the Kansas FFA Foundation. The banquet was at Kingman High School.