MOULTRIE, Ga. — More than 50 Colquitt County FFA members recently attended the 89th Georgia FFA State Convention held in Macon. Students had to opportunity to practice premier leadership, personal growth, and career success as well as experience the theme of “Transform.”

Students were inspired by the retiring addresses of the Georgia State FFA officers, were applauded on stage in front of the 5,800 FFA members, FFA advisors, parents, and guests in attendance, and competed in speaking contests.

Nine senior members earned their State FFA Degree and four of them were in attendance at the Convention: Mary Grace Harbin, Garrett Harrell, Edwin Espindola and Tyler Robinson. Also receiving their state degrees but not in attendance were Kylie Branch, Dykes Hurst, Josh Glass, Karli Parker, and Lane Goodroe

Among the 750 Georgia FFA State Degree recipients, all have the opportunity to become State Stars in their specific area. Only three students, one from North Region, one from Central Region, and one from South Region of the 750 are selected to be the Stars, and two were from Colquitt County in separate categories.

Garrett Harrell, the South Region Star in Agricultural Placement, won the state event in that category, earning him a scholarship with his project based on Mobley Tomato Farm.

Tyler Robison was named the South Region Star Farmer.

Laura Jean Oliver was a state finalist in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Competition. Hannah Craven from C.A. Gray was a state finalist in Junior Prepared Public Speaking and competed while at State FFA Convention. Vaidehi Patel competed in FFA creed speaking where she earned third place in the state and was honored on stage.

Eight Colquitt County students were state finalists in the Agricultural Proficiency Awards and had to interview for the State Award. Elizabeth Beacham was a state qualifier with her Diversified Horticulture Award and earned first place in the state. Mary Grace Harbin was a state qualifier in the area of Outdoor Recreation and earned second place in the state. Morgan Hart was a state qualifier in the area of Agricultural Services and earned second place in the state. Garrett Harrell was a state qualifier in the area of Agricultural Processing and earned first place in the state. Libba Johnson was a state qualifier with her Veterinary Science Project and earned first place in the state. Jacob Murphy was a State Qualifier with his Agricultural Mechanics and Design Fabrication Project and earned first place in the state. Tyler Robinson was a state finalist with his Fruit Production project and earned first place in the state. Murdock Wynn was a state finalist with his Diversified Livestock project and placed second in the state. All students winning the state contest will advance to the national competition.

Kaitlyn Hart was awarded a scholarship to attend the FFA Washington Leadership Conference. Kirk Beacham was also selected to serve as an ambassador of the convention and assisted in escorting sponsors around the convention.

Mary Grace Harbin entered a project into the State Agriscience Fair with a topic centering around hatching chickens using a shell-less method and placed fourth in the state.

Winning teams were also honored on stage. The state winning Ag Marketing Team comprised of Kaitlyn Hart, Logan Moore, and Mary Logan Tostenson was awarded its plaque on stage. The state winner in Job Interview was Tyler Robinson. Kirk Beacham was honored on stage for earning third in the state Lawn Mower Operation and fourth in the state in EMC Wiring competition. Connor Hart from C.A. Gray was honored on stage for earning second in the middle school Lawn Mower Operation competition.

Tyler Robinson, son of Brandon and Tracy Robinson, was elected to serve as a State FFA Officer to serve over 41,000 FFA members statewide. Only eight students are chosen to serve on the State FFA Officer Team each year. Robinson’s position as South Region State Vice President will enable him to interact with leaders in the agricultural community as well as middle and high school FFA members around the state.

The election process began with a daylong series of interviews that allowed Hart to speak before the delegates and more than 5,800 attendees and in turn to be elected to serve on the officer team. As a state FFA officer, he will be trained extensively in public speaking, delivering workshops, and interacting with leaders. Hart will travel all year long and make visits to FFA chapters around the state of Georgia. He will also serve as a delegate for Georgia at the National FFA Convention.

Morgan Hart who served as a 2016-2017 state FFA officer helped to preside over the state convention leading a session and delivering a retiring address.