MoCo FFA Attends 97th Georgia State Convention
Courtesy of Montgomery County Future Farmers of America (FFA)
The 97th Annual Georgia Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Convention was held in Macon, Georgia, on April 24-26, 2025. Students from Montgomery County Middle and High FFA Chapters attended this event and several represented us on the big stage! Aside from competitions and recognition, our students took a tour at Yancey Bros. Company and learned about heavy equipment maintenance and sales as well as important career skills sought after by the company. Students also were able to visit with many vendors at the Georgia FFA State Convention Career Expo. They spoke with college recruiters, various agribusiness representatives, and participated in some hands-on activities during the expo. The rest of their time was spent supporting FFA members from across the state and right here at home as they engaged in the seven awards sessions at the convention.
Before the sessions began, Ayla Hardeman, a seventh grade student from Montgomery County Middle School, advanced to the state level in the Junior Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event after placing 1 in the Area contest back in March, where she represented the chapter extremely well. During the first general session, two eighth grade students were recognized for placing first in Area for middle school record books. Carson Scott placed first in Area and was one of six state finalists in the Ag Sales and Entrepreneurship record book category. Macey Bradley placed first in Area and was one of six state finalists in the Home and Community Development record book category.
During the second general session, five high school junior and senior students were recognized for receiving their Georgia FFA State Degrees, the highest degree our state can bestow. For this accolade, they had to maintain an outstanding SAE which they worked 300 hours in, contribute 25 hours of community service, participate in five different activities above the state level, and enroll in an ag class for two consecutive years prior to earning their state FFA degree. Students receiving this honor included seniors Landon Powell and Devon Pratt as well as juniors Nora Cartwright, Evan Hardeman, and Hannah Williamson.
Montgomery County High School sophomore, Khloe Patterson, created an agriscience fair project and was able to present her project to a panel of judges on the Friday of the convention. Her project titled “Living the Sweet Life,” consisted of research on finding the average pH level of soil used for growing Vidalia Onions in Montgomery County and what the effects of the soil have on the onion. She placed fifth in the Division 3 Category Plant Sciences in the state fair. Khloe Patterson and Evan Hardeman were also recognized in the third general session on Friday for earning Washington Leadership Conference Scholarships generously donated by Dot Foods located in Vidalia.
On Saturday, we witnessed Evan Hardeman become elected and installed as a Georgia State FFA Officer. He will serve for one year as the Georgia FFA State Central Region Vice-President on a team of eight FFA members.
To attend the Georgia State FFA Convention, the chapter also had generous sponsorship to help us attend by The Tillery Firm and the Mt. Vernon Bank. When asked why MVB decided to sponsor our journey, Bank Representative John Koon of commented, “At Mt. Vernon Bank, we take pride in being a dedicated community partner, supporting Montgomery County High School FFA and its incredible students. We believe that investing in our youth is essential for building a strong, vibrant community. Together, we are not just shaping future leaders; we are fostering the growth and success of Montgomery County and our surrounding areas. When we come together as a community, we all thrive!” The chapter is so thankful for their continued support and would not have been able to have such a successful convention without them!
