Nearly 100 third graders from around the county learned about agriculture Friday at Ag Appreciation Day, a series of presentations at the fairgrounds in Hillsboro by FFA members from Goessel, Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody-Burns high schools

Farming practices and equipment, safety, and animal agriculture were discussed in 10-minute sessions.

Presenters included:

• From Goessel — Royser Duran on rabbits, Braxton Unruh on planting equipment, and Hunter Graber on swine.
• From Hillsboro — Alana Suderman on combines, Ashley Peters and Anslee Brewer on farm trivia, Kenzie Meisinger on cattle, and Keitra Edwards on sheep.
• From Marion — Zachary Schlesner and Auryona Countryman on exotic animals, Luke Watkins on hale balers, Calleigh Soyez on sheep, Shannon Taylor on veterinary science, and Ella Mackey on horticulture and gardens.
• From Peabody-Burns — Alex Young and Frito Wortmann on goats and Tanner Parks on horses

Centre tops in agronomy

Centre FFA placed first in the state and qualified for national in an agronomy career development event April 30 through May 2 in Manhattan.

Karsen Kroupa placed second individually, Allie Stuchlik third, and Emilee Remmers fourth.

Centre finished fifth in entomology, 12th in veterinary science, and 15th in food science.

Top 10% winners in entomology included Julia Brunner and Alex Snowdon, and Leah Brunner was top 10% in veterinary science.

Marion FFA placed third in a state agricultural, mechanical, and technical systems career development event April 30 at Wamego.

Contestants were required to complete a GMAW weld, an electrical wiring and small construction exercise, a wall layout activity, a blueprint reading activity, electrical analysis and measuring activity, a small gas engine parts identification challenge, and a written test. Lane Smith placed 10th individually.

Earlier, Marion FFA members placed fourth in an ag mechanics contest for freshmen.

Individually, Owen White placed third, and Auryona Countryman placed 12th.

Participants were required to complete a shielded metal arc weld using 7018 electrode, identify 50 common hand tools, identify parts of an abrasive metal saw, complete a problem-solving skill activity, and take a written test.