Reedsburg students win FFA awards

Three Reedsburg FFA members took home national honors.

Jenna Engel received the American FFA Degree while Celia Gall and McKenna Murray were named FFA Agriscience Fair National finalists.

The American FFA Degree is given to a select group of students for their years of academic and professional excellence. This year, Engel was one of 4,136 students chosen.

To qualify, students must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program, in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee. They must also complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement. Less than one percent of FFA members achieve this accolade.

Gall and Murray were two of 10 national finalists in their division. The Agriscience Fair acknowledges students who gain real-world, hands-on experience in agriculture. Students use science and technology to solve problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources.

Both conducted an experiment using animal-based waste as fertilizers on plants. Their goal was to see which type of fertilizer worked best. This began as part of an eighth-grade science fair project, and the work continued, moving on to win the state competition in June.

Every year, the National FFA Organization presents awards to members who show exemplary dedication to the group through their passion for leadership, personal growth and career success.

The group is a school-based leadership development organization with more than 760,000 student members nationwide.