The Southmont FFA Chapter had an outstanding opportunity to showcase its excellence on the national stage at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis during Oct. 21-24. Throughout the week, members participated in educational tours, competed in national contests, earned prestigious awards, and represented Indiana with pride.
On Oct. 21, the chapter attended a tour at Risen Creek Creamery located in Martinville. Here members learned about the breeding process, how and when the goats were milked, and lastly how the farm created the cheese and processed the milk. The next day the chapter was up bright and early heading to Mooresville for a tour of the Apache Sprayer Manufacturing Shop. Here the chapter was shown the entire process of how the sprayers were built. Members learned where the parts were from and even got to sit inside a sprayer and were shown the newest model being unveiled in 2028. Another part of the convention our members enjoy is attending the career fair and expo in the convention center. In the expo members get to learn about agriculture companies from around the country. FFA members also get to learn about colleges and universities from around the country. Attending conventions can introduce our members to companies that they may work for one day. Our members can meet new members from across the country with the same interest as them. This can lead to life long friendships and connections.
In addition to the educational experiences offered at convention, Southmont members competed at the national level in several career development events.
The Southmont FFA Chapter had the honor of representing Indiana at the National Agronomy Contest after winning at the state contest last January. The team was coached by Gary Mosbaugh and consisted of Trent Reeves, Natalie Rhoads, Hunter Thompson and Lennon Woods. These individuals worked tirelessly to prepare for this contest. The agronomy contest consists of a general knowledge exam, a soil and water exam, identification of plants, seeds, conditions and insects, as well as a team activity. In the team activity, members were given materials to better understand problems a certain field was facing and completed a service call.
Team members Natalie Rhoads, Hunter Thompson and Lennon Woods all earned the ranking of silver individuals. Trent Reeves earned the ranking of a gold individual. The team placed 11th in the nation and received the title of a gold ranked team.
The Southmont FFA Chapter also had the privilege of representing Indiana by competing in the National Floriculture Contest. The team was coached by Katie Kern and consisted of McKiah Liarson, Marin Rhoads, Hayleigh Boots, and Ethan Smith. The contest consisted of plant, disease, and tool identification, a general knowledge and problem solving exam, a sales practicum, a growing procedure demonstration, constructing arrangements, and working together in a team activity.
Throughout the contest the students showed their knowledge of the floral industry and showed team work during the team activity.
Overall the team ranked as a Silver team and placed 25th in the nation. Individually, Marin Rhoads ranked as a bronze individual, Ethan Smith ranked as a silver individual, while Hayleigh Boots and McKiah Liarson ranked as gold individuals.
Beyond contest success, Southmont FFA members and alumni were recognized for achievements that highlight the strength of the chapter.
The Southmont FFA Chapter had the honor of being named a National 3-Star chapter at the National FFA Convention. This award is the highest ranking a chapter can receive based on their National Chapter Application. The chapter annually submits their National Chapter Award to both the state and national level. This application highlights events the chapter is a part of both at the school and in the community. The three categories that make up the award are Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. The chapter is very excited to receive this prestigious award, putting the chapter in the top 2% of all chapters in the nation.
In addition, three of Southmont’s past FFA members, Kylee Reeves, Clair Simpson and Kelsey Thompson, received their American Degree this past Saturday. The American Degree is the highest degree an FFA member can earn and only 1% of FFA members receive it every year. While earning their American Degrees the members must meet strict requirements for education, time, financial investment and community service.
The chapter also celebrated individual achievement on the national level through Supervised Agricultural Experience competition. This year Kylee Reeves submitted her landscape installation proficiency to nationals after winning at state. Kylee submitted a twenty page application based on her Supervised Agriculture Experience to compete. Kylee’s SAE was based on working for a local community member planting flowers, trimming hedges, and helping with their landscaping needs. Kylee was named a national finalist with her proficiency finishing in the top four in the nation.
The 2026 National FFA Convention proved to be a memorable and successful experience for the Southmont FFA Chapter. Through educational tours, networking opportunities, national competition, chapter recognition and individual accomplishments, members demonstrated their commitment to leadership, service and agricultural education while proudly representing Southmont, Indiana and the future of agriculture.
