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Stillwater FFA students showcase national convention wins and research to CareerTech board
Summary
Stillwater FFA students and teachers told the CareerTech board about national convention successes — including more than 30,000 statewide FFA members and multiple national championships — and described student research projects and college/career plans.
Stillwater FFA students and their teachers presented results from the National FFA Convention at a December Oklahoma CareerTech State Board meeting, highlighting a banner year for Oklahoma's agricultural education program.
Scott Nemechek, program manager for the agency's agricultural education division, told the board the state surpassed 30,000 FFA members for the first time: "We're at an all time high of 30,414 members and counting," he said. Nemechek said Oklahoma produced numerous national champions at the convention and singled out Trey Myers of Perkins, who is serving as National FFA president.
Robbie Branscum and Tanner Nipper, agricultural teachers from Stillwater, introduced a group of students who described their AgriScience Fair projects. Projects included sealing microcracks in chicken eggs to extend freshness, studying how horse housing affects internal parasite load and ivermectin efficacy, and testing nitrogen stabilizers' effects on ammonia volatilization in tilled and untilled soils. The teachers said the chapter earned premier chapter recognition and had seven AgriScience Fair projects named national champions.
Students spoke about their research and post‑high‑school plans. Ainsley McIndoe said she plans to attend Oklahoma State University to major in agribusiness; Brandon Arnell said he plans to pursue agronomy at Oklahoma State. Teachers said written project reports exist and can be shared, but the student projects are not published in peer‑reviewed journals.
The board complimented the students and chapter. Director (identified by role) and other members described the program as an example of CareerTech's mission to connect students to careers, and thanked the students for representing the state at the national level. The presentation concluded with board members encouraging continued engagement and offering to share judging opportunities at future state events.
The board did not take action on the presentation; the students left to return to exams after the recognition.
