Lamar Community College recently hosted the Lamar Community College Regional Future Farmers of America Career Development Events, featuring over 900 participants competing in 12 events across campus. 

For a number of years, students from across Colorado and neighboring states gathered at LCC for a practice run prior to the upcoming State FFA Contest, and what began with fewer than 100 students has grown into the largest regional FFA contest in the state. 

"We hold this event to give FFA Members, local as well as across the state, the opportunity to hone their skills before the state contest held in May at Colorado State University," said LCC Agriculture Faculty and Department Chair Greg Cash. "This event is also a great recruiting tool for our Agriculture Program as well as campus as a whole."

Held the first Wednesday in April, each year, the Lamar Community College Regional FFA Career Development Events saw participants compete in Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Soil and Land Judging, Agriculture Mechanics, Veterinary Science, Employment Skills, Agriculture Sales, Farm and Ranch Business, Floriculture, Milk Quality, Meat Evaluation and Field Crops. 

Individual and Team Winners

• Livestock Judging             Ethan Summervill from Douglas County,  Team Winner: Douglas Co.
• Horse Judging                   Alana Marinez from Pueblo County,  Team Winner: Old Ham County
• Soil and Land Judging      Braden Wedel from Stratton, Team Winner: Stratton
• Agriculture Mechanics     Alex Higbee from Lamar, Team Winner:  Lamar
• Veterinary Science           Catie Wolyn from Rye, Team Winner: Rye
• Employment Skills           Haley Johnson from Kit Carson
• Agriculture Sales              Anna Weisensee from Limon, Team Winner: Limon
• Farm & Ranch Business   Lauren Tagtmeyer from Stratton, Team Winner: Stratton
• Floriculture                       Grace Provost from Branson, Team Winner: Lamar
• Milk Quality                     Ean Martinez from Manzanola, Team Winner: Manzanola
• Meat Evaluation               Finn Warner from Branson, Team Winner: Branson
• Field Crops                       Javyne Ormiston from Pritchett, Team Winner: Pritchett

Team winners were presented with a plaque, while individual winners were awarded with a plaque as well as a $500 scholarship to Lamar Community College. 

"This event would not be possible without the help of numerous people on campus as well as community members," said Cash. "Also, all of our Agriculture students helped with each contest."