Seventeen Cato-Meridian FFA members applied their classroom knowledge to industry challenges this summer while competing in Career Development Events hosted by New York State FFA at the Great New York State Fair.

The competitions gave students hands-on experience in agricultural fields while helping them explore career interests and build on their individual Supervised Agricultural Experiences.

Participating students were Eli Zappala, Allison Kyle, Griffin Aukema, Carleigh Hirvela, Meghan Gunnip, Alexa Hernandez, Owen Hirvela, Westin Bratt, Douglas White, Kinsey Gochanour, Luke Kyle, Emmilou White, Patrick Minde, Ethan Nasholts, Stella Nasholts, Anabelle Edelstein and Mia Castellino.

For Mia Castellino, the chapter’s co-reporter and historian, the events offered an opportunity to expand her knowledge of plant systems. A three-year FFA member, Castellino competed in senior agronomy, senior horticulture and senior wildlife identification. She placed 12th individually in agronomy, contributing to a second-place team finish, and competed on the third-place horticulture team.

During agronomy, students worked together to calculate the cost of caring for a farmer’s field and determine the quantities needed per acre. They also individually identified weeds, crops, insects and seeds. Castellino said lessons and projects in her agriculture classes helped prepare her for those real-world tasks.

Her biggest challenge, however, was managing the nerves before competing and awaiting results.

“I handled it by taking a deep breath remembering that no matter the outcome, I had fun either way,” Castellino said.

Classmate Carleigh Hirvela, a sophomore and chapter secretary, also brought three years of FFA experience to the fair. She placed eighth individually in agronomy and contributed to the second-place team finish. She also placed 14th in horse evaluation and 17th in livestock evaluation, competed in environmental and natural resources, and helped her landscape design team earn third place.

In horse evaluation, Hirvela assessed horses’ structure and movement, took notes and explained her rankings. The competition also included a team problem-solving activity and a test and identification portion. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience in horse science gave her a foundation for the event.

“Horse evaluation has helped me figure out what I want to do for a career in a big way,” Hirvela said.

She hopes to study equine science, building her understanding of horse health and quality.

Both students also looked forward to seeing Megan Kyle, Cato-Meridian FFA’s first state officer, at the fair. Their experiences reflect how FFA connects students with others who share their interests while helping them consider their own futures in agriculture.

For Castellino, that future could include becoming an agricultural science teacher. She credits her teachers and fellow FFA members with helping her recognize the importance of agricultural education.

“I have been interested in becoming an agricultural science teacher since joining FFA not because of my past competitions but realizing how important agriculture is and why it should be taught to the generations to come,” Castellino said.