At the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., three high school teams were recognized in the National Poultry Career Development Event. Sponsored by USPOULTRY, Newly Weds Foods and Tyson Foods, the competitive event tests the participant's ability to select top quality poultry and poultry products needed for successful production and marketing.
Participants must complete a written exam on poultry management, evaluate classes of live birds for eggs and meat production, evaluate the quality of eggs and evaluate and identify parts and products.
Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo. The national winning team members and the top 10 individuals received cash awards in recognition of their success in the event. The top three teams from first to third place were Texas - O'Connor FFA, Missouri - Columbia FFA and Arkansas - Green Forest FFA. The top three individual winners from first to third place were Jill Wright - O'Connor FFA, Kate Wright - O'Connor FFA and Michelle Ross - Columbia FFA.
Also recognized was Cole Roper of the Franklin County FFA Chapter in Carnesville, Ga. Roper was named the national winner of the Poultry Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency award program. Sponsored by Tyson Foods and Tractor Supply Company, the Poultry Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency award program recognizes FFA members who excelled as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers as they gained hands-on career experience.
