National Winners in Agriscience Fair

The National FFA Agriscience Fair, sponsored by Cargill, John Deere, and Syngenta recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels. Jesse Shepherd, Ashley Olsen, and Russell Mangelson were all named finalists and competed at the National FFA Convention. After interviews, students were told if they were top three and then awarded at the fourth general session. Jesse Shepherd was 3rd place in the Animal Systems Division 3 for his research on nitrogen levels in chicken manure based on the age of the hen. Russell Mangelson and Ashley Olsen brought home the gold, being named the winners in Animal Systems Division 4. Their project looked at feed efficiency and rate of gain for turkeys being fed flaxseed. They will continue the project to see the effects of the feed on the Omega-3 levels inside of the turkey. Students received a cash award.