Four Iola FFA members were named district winners in their respective supervised agricultural experience (SAE) categories at last week’s Southeast District Selection day.
Jenna Curry won Turf Grass Management.
“I enjoy keeping the lawns in my community looking nice, whether this is a business or a home,” she said. “I do my best to make it look the best it can. I often cut the grass to keep it healthy, green, and full as well as trimming away the weeds that grow around trees, shrubs, and other things that may be in the lawns. This keeps the yards looking very put together.
“I also often rake leaves, pick up branches, pull weeds, help plant flowers and even lay mulch to bring the full potential of the landscape out,” she continued. “I focus on running an efficient and effective operation all while keeping the health of the grass at its fullest. I look after about 25 yards on a regular basis, picking up a few more now and then.”
Chloe Sell won for Landscape Management.
“I manage a lawn care business, where my main goal is to make the landscape as healthy and high-quality as I can,” Sell wrote. “Managing the yards includes mowing, trimming, edging sidewalks and bushes, mulching, controlling weeds, installation of hardware, and landscape beautification. Another thing that I do in my business is lawn cleanup.”
Carly Dreher won for Small Animal Placement.
“My SAE involves working at a local dog grooming and boarding shop, Waggin’ Tails,” Dreher wrote. “I have worked there in my free time for three years, and have learned many skills along the way.
“I have learned new skills such as trimming dogs’ nails, grooming dogs specific to their breed, and have learned many ways to promote biosecurity within the shop,” she said. “A daily routine could include washing and grooming multiple dogs, while still keeping the boarded dogs happy. Cleaning is also a big part of my tasks while working. All of the equipment must be sanitized in between using it on dogs, and the shop floors are mopped and disinfected at the end of the day.”
Cody Wille won in Diversified Agricultural Production.
“For my SAE I help work ground, haul seed to our John Deere 24-row planter, move fertilizer tanks, mow, rake, and haul hay,” Wille wrote for his entry.
“During harvest my responsibilities also include moving equipment from field to field, operating the combine and running the grain cart. Throughout a lot of our farm, work jobs change a lot depending on where we are and who can do what task. When harvest has finished and before spring planting I’m busy helping with our cattle. I help feed grain and hay and take care of the cattle when needed.”
