Fairfax FFA member Lexi Brown, pictured on the big screen on the second row at right, was one of 72 FFA members chosen to be a part of the 2025 National FFA Chorus. Lexi and the other singers performed at most of the sessions, the Artsgarden, and the Band and Chorus Concert. (Ethan Riley photo)

 

Fairfax FFA members Riley Koop, Bentley Price, Austin Helfers, Connor Miller, Deyton Burke, and Evan Rogers toured the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where they saw the production of the Louisville Slugger bats, from where and how the wood is grown to how the bat is shaped and finished. (Ethan Riley photo)

 

The Fairfax FFA members who attended the 98th National FFA Convention were Austin Helfers, Connor Miller, Evan Rogers, Riley Koop, Bentley Price, and Deyton Burke. Lexi Brown is not pictured. (Ethan Riley photo)

 

The Fairfax FFAers attended the Three Hills FFA Rodeo at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. These members got to see saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding. (Ethan Riley photo)

 

The FFAers toured Wieczorek Farms near Perry, Missouri. Wieczorek Farms partners with Massey Ferguson and they currently have the only Black Massey Ferguson tractor in the states. (Dustin Lambertsen photos)

 

Tuttle Orchard is a 100 year-old apple orchard the students toured and learned about the business, struggles, successes, flavors of apples, and how they have used agri-tourism to help grow their farm. (Dustin Lambertsen photo)

 

Hardy Reindeer Ranch provided students with a hands-on learning experience. Hardys used reindeer to help bring more people to visit their Christmas tree farm more than 30 years ago. The FFA members were able to feed and pet the reindeer, even in some unconventional ways as seen above left with Bailey Wennihan and Delainee White feeding them from their mouths. Pictured above right are Tarkio FFA members Bailey Wennihan, Delainee White, Gabbie Hogue, Gavin Mattice, Emma Navin, Keely Bredensteiner, Jaeka Wiley, Bresayda Jimenez, Rainy Nordhausen, Kaiden Nelson, and Nadine Henning.  (Dustin Lambertsen and Jeremy Palmer photos)

 

Pictured above are Rock Port FFA members Dylan Lair, Izac Hurst, John Gillem, Rozlyn McCown, Landrey Kelly, and Emma Teten. At right petting and feeding the reindeer are Rock Port FFA members John Gillem and Rozlyn McCown.

 

At Umbarger Show Feeds, the students learned about every step of the feed business from the receiving of all of the grains, creation of the respective feeds, bagging, palleting, warehousing, order picking, and finally delivery. Pictured are Rock Port FFA members Izac Hurst, John Gillem, Rozlyn McCown, Landrey Kelly, Emma Teten, and Dylan Lair. (Jeremy Palmer photo)

 

Tarkio and Rock Port FFA Chapters joined others from Iowa and Missouri to travel to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. They visited the Purdue University Agricultural Department on the way there. (Dustin Lambertsen photo)

 

The Tarkio FFA Chapter attended the first and second general sessions at the National Convention. They heard the keynote speaker, attended leadership workshops, attended the Career and College Fair, and the FFA Mall. The Tarkio FFA members in attendance were, from left to right: front row – Kaiden Nelson, Gabbie Hogue, Keely Bredensteiner, Nadine Henning, Emma Navin, and Bresayda Jimenez; and back row – Rainy Nordhausen, Jaeka Wiley, Delainee White, Bailey Wennihan, and Gavin Mattice. (Dustin Lambertsen photo)

 

Local FFA members recently traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the National FFA Convention. Eleven Tarkio and six Rock Port FFA students traveled with five other chapters from Iowa and Missouri (West Nodaway, Shenandoah, Hamburg, Sidney, and Bedford).

TARKIO AND ROCK PORT FFA

Tuesday, the students visited Wieczorek Farms near Perry, Missouri. Students learned about their hay and cattle farm. Their business began as Jason’s SAE project in high school and is now their full-time business. This year, they baled 62,000 small square bales they sell to customers along with a lot of round bales they use for their personal cattle. They spoke about how they supply hay to Purina’s Equine research farm near St. Louis, Missouri, along with their partnership with Massey Ferguson. They currently have the only Black Massey tractor in the states. Finally, the students learned about Kayla’s social media platform, Chronicles of Kayla, which she uses to educate others about their farm and the day-to-day tasks they face.

Day two started with a visit to the Hardy Reindeer Ranch. Students were able to learn about how the Hardys used reindeer to help bring more people to visit their Christmas tree farm more than 30 years ago. They learned that each reindeer costs $10,000-$15,000 and another $500-$1,000 an animal to transport them from Alaska to Illinois.

Next, the students visited the Purdue University Agricultural Department. Students learned about the 30+ majors and minors and looked at lab spaces along with classrooms that are typical in each building.

Thursday, the students attended the convention. They were able to attend the first and second general sessions, heard the keynote speaker, attended leadership workshops, attended the Career and College Fair, and the FFA Mall.

Friday, students toured businesses around Indianapolis. First they toured Poe Hampshires where they learned about sheep production. The Poes lamb out nearly 300 head of ewes each year. They raise three different breeds and show all over Indiana and the NAILE show in Louisville, Kentucky. They showed how they pellet hay and straw along with how they have begun pelleting the wool they shear off the ewes and selling it as an additive to potting soil to help hold water in pots.

The second stop included a tour of Umbarger Show Feeds where the students learned about every step of the feed business from the receiving of all of the grains, creation of the respective feeds, bagging, palleting, warehousing, order picking, and finally delivery.

The third stop was at Cummins MFG Technical Department where the students learned about how the company develops and tests new engines that will be used in the future.

The fourth stop was at Tuttle Orchard, a 100 year-old apple orchard. Students learned about the business, struggles, successes, flavors of apples, and how they have used agri-tourism to help grow their farm.

Finally, the students spent the night attending the National FFA World’s Toughest Rodeo, where they were able to see some of the world’s best cowboys compete.

The trip was very busy, but the students learned a lot about many different sectors of the ag industry. They were able to meet new friends, speak with members from all across the nation, and experience new things and gain new ideas that they can bring back to Atchison County.

FAIRFAX FFA

Seven Fairfax students had the opportunity to attend the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. One of those members was Lexi Brown. Lexi had the honor of being chosen as one of 72 members of the 2025 National FFA Chorus for the second consecutive year. Lexi and this choir practiced and performed all week long, performing at most of the sessions, the Artsgarden, and the Band and Chorus Concert.

The other six Fairfax FFA members who attended the convention were Austin Helfers, Connor Miller, Bentley Price, Deyton Burke, Riley Koop, and Evan Rogers. Their week started with Session 1 on Wednesday evening. Session 1 was filled with a welcoming message from the National FFA Advisor, the Band and Chorus Grand Entry, and motivation, wisdom, and laughter from the keynote speaker, A’ric Jackson. After the opening session, they attended the Three Hills FFA Rodeo at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. These members got to see saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding during this action-packed rodeo performance.

Thursday, they traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, for the day. They started tours at none other than the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Students learned all about the production of the Louisville Slugger bats, from where and how the wood is grown to how the bat is shaped and then finished. The next stop was a tour at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. Fairfax members got to learn the history of the Kentucky Derby, the horses that competed there, and how the horses train for these races. After these tours, the FFA members got to have some fun by visiting the Louisville Mega Cavern and then the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular.

Friday, they attended session 4, the expo and session 5. They heard the moving message from National FFA Officer Luke Jennings during session 4 and got to watch the National FFA Chorus perform during session 5. While at the Expo, students got to network with many different agricultural businesses, groups, and colleges. Friday evening, the Fairfax members attended the Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA game.

Saturday wrapped up the trip with members returning home after this motivating and educational 1,500-mile round trip.