PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
AGRISCIENCE FAIR … Zia Siegel, Bryce Peters, and Avery Thompson display their Agriscience Fair awards. Missing is Aaden Judy.
AG AWARENESS DAY … Alumni Erin Hausch shows her horse to Hilltop Elementary students and explains equine safety practices.
On Thursday, April 29, Millcreek-West Unity FFA members began the 98th Ohio FFA Convention by attending the First General Session, where members were addressed by guest speaker Brad Hurtig from Fairview learning about Brad’s accident and how he was challenged with overcoming obstacles to persevere.
Brad encouraged all of the attendees to “Find a Way” to overcome whatever obstacles they face in life.
Afterward, the 2026-27 Ohio FFA Officer Candidates were announced, and Levi Cox and Jordan Schaffner attended the Delegate Session where delegates from Ohio chapters voted on the next state officer team and handled business needing addressed at the state level.
The rest of the members headed to The North Market for lunch and some downtime. Following lunch, members toured Ohio Stadium and were able to visit the stadium suites, locker rooms, and the football field!
Afterward, the group toured the new Ohio State Ag Campus’s MALC center touring the brand new livestock handling facilities. To end the evening, members went to Activate, a virtual reality center where there were a variety of game modes that allowed for team building.
The following day, May 1, the morning began with the Fourth Session. At this session, Addison Smith received her Gold Rated Secretary pin, Bryce Peters received his Gold Rated Treasurer pin, and Zakk Cammack received his Gold Rated Reporter pin.
In addition the Agriscience Fair finalists found out their final placings. Zia Siegel placed 3rd in Division 3 Animal Systems, Avery Thompson placed 4th in Division 1 Food Systems, Aaden Judy placed 3rd in Division 5 Plant Systems, and Bryce Peters placed 4th in Division 5 Plant Systems.
To end the convention, at the Fifth Session, Ayden Bennett and Aleigha Sieradzki played in the State FFA Band, Grace Schurrman sang in the State FFA Choir, and Ohio FFA President, Carter Boyd, gave his retiring address.
At this session, Zakk Cammack, Sophia Crossgrove, Myah Higgins, and Bryce Peters, along with former Millcreek-West Unity FFA member Lakota Siegel, each received their State FFA Degrees, the highest degree that the state can bestow on an FFA member!
To round out the end of the year, the chapter celebrated FFA Week the week of May 11 through 15.
On Tuesday, May 12, the chapter officers held an Ag Olympics for the elementary students where they competed against other grade levels by completing a farm related obstacle course with the fastest time.
Wednesday, May 13, was the FFA Bucks Auction where members were able to bid on a variety of rewards using “FFA Bucks” earned through participating in various events throughout the year.
On Thursday, May 14, the officer team hosted a Staff Burger Bash for all of the Hilltop Staff. The burgers were donated by the Williams County Beef Producers and the sausage patties were donated by the Williams County Pork Producers.
Friday, May 15, was Ag Awareness Day, full of educational activities for elementary, jr. high, and high school students.
FFA members were in charge of ag education stations including farming equipment, livestock, technology, horticulture, and wildlife management.
The chapter was grateful to have chapter alumni, Erin Hausch, owner of MJ Stables, bring her horse Boomer in addition to the other animals that FFA members brought in.
As a special treat for the staff, there was a pizza truck, Dolce Sorella, and for everyone at the school, lemonade from The Rolling Lemon.
As summer begins, the FFA chapter is looking forward to several summer activities before school begins in August. 2026-27 Officer Training will be held in early June, and the month will round out with several FFA and community members traveling to Italy and France on a tour of international agriculture.
During July and the first part of August, FFA members will be active volunteering with the Summer Meals Program and at the Ohio State Fair Beef Stand.
FFA members with livestock projects will also be busy preparing for the 2026 Williams County Fair that will be held soon after the start of the 2026-27 school year.