State FFA career development competitions were held at Kansas State University on April 29.

Marion’s agriculture technology management team placed first overall. Individually, Nicholas Meyer placed first, Bret Voth second, and Clint Kroupa fourth. Raleigh Kroupa also was a member of the team.

Participants were required to complete a mig welding skill using a print to correctly place and size the weld. They also completed a construction skill, an electrical wiring activity, a written test, and a team troubleshooting activity of a starting problem on a small utility tractor.

By winning the state contest, the team qualified to compete in the national ag mechanics career development event in October, in conjunction with the National FFA Convention in Nashville. The team also will be recognized at the state FFA convention in Manhattan at the end of this month.

The agronomy team placed sixth in the state contest. They were Nicholas Meyer, Clint Kroupa, and Morgan Wheeler. Participants graded three grain samples, completed a seed analysis for three samples, identified 100 crop or weed samples, completed a written test over agronomic practices, and completed a practicum over agronomy.

The dairy team of Taylor May, Daniel Hinton, and Bryce Shults competed in the dairy evaluation event. They had to place eight classes of dairy cattle, give two sets of reasons, and take a written test.

Austin Cogdill, Cade Harms, Nathan Baldwin, and Jeremy Hett competed in the entomology event. They had to identify 50 insects and take a written test.