21 Sep 2013 Greenbrier FFA members earn awards
by Paige Turner
The Greenbrier High School FFA land evaluation team has won a state championship and placed as first runner-up in its national competition.
The team, made up of one male sophomore and three male seniors, was tested on its accuracy in surveying, analyzing and recommending the usage of certain land on a national level.
Rodney Wiedower, one of the FFA advisers, says he is proud of his team’s victory and focus since a rough finishing at the state competition last year.
“I am very proud of these boys,” Wiedower said. “Three of the four boys were on a team last year, and although they had an outstanding year, we fell a little short. I really appreciated how they shook it off and came back this year more determined and more positive and inspired each other to succeed and do well this year.”
Wiedower first got involved with FFA as a student and enjoys giving back to the organization in his current adviser position.
“I became active in FFA back in high school,” Wiedower said. “I wasn’t very athletic and didn’t really play sports, but I wanted something to do. All the positive experiences and information I gained from being a part of FFA made me want to do the same thing for other future students in my life. That’s why I became an agriculture teacher.”
FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, changed its name in the past few decades to accommodate more than just aspiring farmers and to further emphasize the importance of all agricultural education. Wiedower says FFA gives students a chance to explore the field of agriculture and determine career paths within the organization while working hard at goals of winning competitions.
“Starting in December all the way until May, we work hard and do our best to succeed in competition,” Wiedower said. “I guess you would call this our football season.”
Greenbrier’s FFA parliamentary procedure team has also won the state championship in its division and will compete in the national championship in October.
