The Olympia FFA Chapter was very well represented at the 2023 Section 9 FFA Fair which was held on July 25th at the McLean County Fairgrounds. Senior Olympia FFA member, Aime Witham, won her class of ducks and won poultry showmanship. Senior, Libby Shaffer competed in 14 different horse classes and earned high point individual overall. Senior Kyler Simpson won champion shorthorn heifer. Junior FFA member Reed Naughton showed both cattle and hogs. Naughton won Champion and Reserve Champion Charolais heifers and Champion Chianina heifer. He was also Reserve Grand beef showman. Naughton also had the Champion Berkshire gilt and Champion Yorkshire gilt. Recent grad Paige Finchum exhibited her Maine-Anjou steer and placed 3rd in the heavyweight class. Senior, Rylee Robb was reserve champion swine showman and also earned 3rd place with her Spot gilt. She placed 2nd with both her crossbred and Spot barrows. Senior Blake Buatte showed the Grand Champion rabbit and also earned 2nd place with his crossbred gilt and 3rd with his barrow. Senior Kaitlynn Whitecotton exhibited several vegetables from her garden including 1st place with her floral arrangement and terrarium. Junior, Mallory Miller earned 2nd place with her Simmental heifer and 3rd with her Charolais heifer. Junior Chase Ragar showed both dairy and meat goats as well as sheep. He had Grand Champion ram with his Cotswold ram. Sophomore, Noah Walsh showed both goats and beef cattle. His goat wether placed 2nd overall and his steer placed third in class. Sophomore, Anna Gordon showed chickens, goats and her horse. She placed 1st in her halter horse class and 2nd with her Pygmy goat. Sophomore Kolin Simpson showed the champion crossbred heifer. Chase Ragar stated, “One of my highlights was that I got a few new faces to show against rather than the same people I have shown against at the McLean County fair the past five years.” “It was great to see all of my section 9 friends and get to do something we all have in common,” stated Rylee Robb. These FFA members work countless hours with their livestock preparing them for the show ring. They also spend a lot of time looking for ways to improve the genetics among their herds. Most of these FFA members will compete at several shows this summer and fall.
