The 2026-2027 West Branch FFA officers are, from left, front row, Maylin Hartzell, Jaimi Mossgrove, Kenzie Wooten; back row, Bryce Hoopes, Austin Pierce, Austin Ruthrauff, Lylah Myers and Lacie Greier. (Submitted photo)

BELOIT – The West Branch FFA has had a very busy May. First, the chapter traveled to Columbus for the 98th Ohio FFA State Convention at the Celeste Center.

The chapter achieved multiple milestones. Reporter Isabella Higgins won the Gold Rated Reporter award. Also, seven members earned their State FFA Degrees after years of hard work: Bryce Hoopes, Isabella Higgins, Connor Linder, Austin Pierce, Grady Rockwell, Austin Ruthrauff and Stella Zippay. Besides the official sessions, members toured the Otterbein Equine Center and hung out at Topgolf for some team bonding.

Chapter members also hosted Food for America to show elementary school children what agriculture is all about. Members took them to Martig Farms to see the dairy farm and birdseed plant, and then to Conny Farms to look at the huge tractors, horses and cattle. They even gave them a tour of West Branch’s beef cattle barn. The children loved planting flowers, eating treats and playing at the park.

On May 7, the chapter held its annual FFA awards banquet to celebrate everyone’s hard work. The Damascus Ruritans served a meal before the awards. Everyone got recognized by class for their Greenhand, Chapter, 3rd-, and 4th-year certificates.

Winners from the night included Outstanding Sophomores: Kayla Chismar and Tate Ruthrauff, Outstanding Juniors: Lance Myers and Connor Linder, Chapter Greenhand: Lylah Myers, Star Chapter Farmer: Logan Cunningham, Star in Agribusiness: Dakoda Jones, Star Agricultural Placement: Koltin Stryffeler.

The chapter also recognized its State Degree winners again and recognized Alex Campbell for getting his American Degree, a national honor that less than 2% of FFA members ever get.

At the end of the night, the chapter installed its new officer team for the 2026-2027 school year: President Austin Ruthrauff, Vice President Austin Pierce, Secretary Maylin Hartzell, Treasurer Bryce Hoopes, Reporter Lylah Myers, Sentinel Kenzie Wooten, and Student Advisors Lacie Greier and Jaimi Mossgrove.