The Storrs Regional FFA, in Storrs, CT has had a banner year with first place FFA CDE teams, State and Big E Star winners and an agriscience teacher of the year. Three teams are off to the National FFA Convention this fall in Louisville, KY. The Natural Resources Team coached by Natural Resources teacher Andrew Zadora is made up of Zayne Olson, Katie Hayes, Sam Dombkowski and Nick Vertefeuille. They have been preparing hard by continuing to memorize nearly one hundred tree species, perfect compass and pace as well as soil and water testing.
Mr. Pomeroy, who is the department chair and Ag Mechanics teacher, has two teams going. They are the Sales Team and the Marketing team. These two teams work to convince the judges that their product is the best by presenting a brochure, financial predictions about their product, powerpoints and the actual product they wish to market. These two teams are comprised of Yadimar Vazquez, Stefan Bilyk, Ben Lagasse, Elise Gustafson, John Trickett, and Dimitrios Dalardha. Ag programs are full of science and are the original “alternative” programs with rigor and relevance.
To reward her efforts, Cynthia Chotkowski, Animal Science teacher and FFA advisor, was awarded the Agriscience teacher of the year in Connecticut. Her innovative approach led to her seniors last year working with the UCONN dairy facility on a bovine leukosis study. In addition, her animal science student Chelsea Kegler was awarded this year’s Big E FFA Star in Agribusiness.
Chelsea’s project consists of a flock of Hampshire sheep and Jersey cattle. She markets her naturally grown lamb at farmer’s markets in Connecticut and her milk is sold through the dairy farm where her Jersey cattle are currently housed. Chlesea won the state FFA proficiency area for sheep entrepreneurship this year as well as the state FFA Star in her category. Her application went on to the National FFA to be judged this past August and was awarded a gold in the top five of her category.
Congratulations to all these students and their advisors.