FFA Shines at State!

FFA students shine at State Tractor Driving and Potato Judging Competitions!

Walla Walla FFA advisor Alyssa Drader reports Walla Walla High School FFA students had strong performances at the State Tractor Driving and Potato Judging competitions in Moses Lake.

Tractor Driving
Students Wyatt Aycock, Sheldon Coburn, and Rem McBride represented Walla Walla FFA by completing a knowledge exam, tractor parts identification, and driving a tractor and trailer through a designated course. Out of 32 teams, they placed 18th. Each student placed in the top two-thirds individually.

Potato Judging
At the Potato Judging competition, Walla Walla Team 1, consisting of Hanna Wright, Amanda Tilley, Makenna Wright, Molly Duncan, and Rem McBride, as well as Walla Walla Team 2, with Natalie Liueallen, Breanna Sweeney, Tazie Betzler, and Reagan Milliman, tested their knowledge on a variety of industry standards. During the Potato Judging competition, these teams graded 100 individual potatoes based on USDA consumer quality standards, ranked 4 classes of seed potatoes, identified 10 different types of potato blemishes, and graded 10 potatoes with oral reasonings to a panel of judges. These students were able to practice their terminology and public speaking skills. Out of 47 teams, Walla Walla 1 placed 12th and Walla Walla 2 placed 32nd! Congratulations to Rem who placed 20th out of nearly 200 individuals!

“These members have never competed in the Potato Judging Competition before,” said Drader. “Please make sure to congratulate these students when you see them.”