West Delaware FFA was recognized at the State FFA Convention in Ames on April  21. They received the Top 30 out of 300 National Chapter Award and received individual awards as well.

The following students worked on the Chapter Award: Madie Deutmeyer (12), Kate Ries (11), Holly Gudenkauf (11), Cooper Eschen (11), Miles Bockenstedt (11), Emma Reth (12), Wesley Helle (10), Olivia Quint (10), and Hunter Rave (11). 

Quint, in her first year on the FFA officer team, felt super proud of her work.

“We came in early mornings to complete the application,” Quint said. “Each officer completed different sections of the applications.” 

Each officer wrote about the events they attended, such as organizing the Ag Olympics and the Farm Safety Day.

Eschen was proud of the FFA’s accomplishments.

“It is a way to show off our chapter and display what we do throughout the year,” Eschen said. “It is fun to see what others think about our chapter.”

In addition to receiving the Top 30 out of 300 Award, several members received their Iowa Degrees, which is the highest state FFA degree. These members include Bockenstedt, Ries, Rave, Gudenkauf, and Eschen.

Eschen’s favorite moment was shaking Iowa FFA President Chloe Zittergruens’ hand after receiving his Iowa Degree.

Finally, Deutmeyer received recognition for earning the 2026 Iowa FFA State Champion in Beef Production Placement Proficiency. 

“It was based on my SAE (supervised agricultural experience) that I have had for the past four years. On my family’s beef farm, we raise cow-calf pairs and feed out steers,” Deutmeyer said. “I started off by just completing daily chores, but now I make key decisions for the farm. It’s fun to have an important voice in the future of our operation.”