State Leadership Conference

Every year the Iowa FFA Association host an annual leadership conference for Iowa FFA Members. At the conference, FFA members from across the state of Iowa get to mingle with each other, listen to keynote speakers, get recognized for accomplishments, have fellowship with teammates, say good-bye to the current state officers and welcome the newly elected team. The Iowa FFA Leadership Conference never has a dull moment.

FFA members packing dried meals for the food pantries across central Iowa.

Keegan Kehrli was named to the State Auditing Committee,

Kaitlyn Kortenkamp represented the chapter, accepting the $1,000+ Ambassador Award.

Cheyenne Syhlman represented the chapter in the Massing of Flags Ceremony.

Bethany Cook is receiving the Supreme National Chapter Award on behalf of the chapter.

Dylan Kortenkamp receiving the WHO Public Relations Award on behalf of the chapter

Keegan Kehrli was named runner up in the Fruit Production proficiency award area.

Back Row Left to Right: Micaela Steenstra, Heath Weber, Alex Gentz, Keegan Kehrli, Spencer Cook and Trevor Hepker. Front Row: Jodie Mauser, Natalie Svoboda, Braydon Nunemaker, Becca Walthart and Kaylee Kortenkamp. These 11 members earned their Iowa FFA Degree, which is the highest degree a state can bestow upon its members.

Jodie Mausser was nominated and elected to the Iowa FFA Association officer team as the State Reporter.

212/360 Conference

Six members attended the 212/360 Leadership Conference in January. This conference is held in November.  212 is for Freshmen and Sophomores and 360 is for Juniors and Seniors. During these conferences members focus on communication, team working skills and personal growth. Members that attended enjoyed this conference and would go back again if given the opportunity. 

From Left to Right: (Back Row) Ashley Wessels, Mr. Doese, Austin Cook, Austin Ackerman, Nathaniel Dosland. (Second Row) Jodie Mausser, Hannabelle Erickson, Cheyenne Syhlman. (Front Row) Megan Gee, Trey Johnson, Kaitlyn Kortenkamp, Bethany Cook.

Iowa FFA Courtesy Corp

To help the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference run smoothly, they ask for courtesy corp members. FFA members across Iowa donate their time to help arrange seating, keep contest rooms quiet and assist backstage. To be selected, members must apply to the Iowa FFA Association and state when they are available. This year, East Buchanan FFA was lucky enough to have four members apply and be selected as courtesy corp members. 

Back Row Left to Right: Jodie Mausser, Jacob Kelly, Nathaniel Dosland and Ashley Wessels. Front Row: Kayla Dudley and DeAnn Lentz.

Iowa FFA State Band

The Iowa FFA State Band performs annually at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference. In 2017, East Buchanan FFA was lucky enough to have two members selected to be in the band. In order to be selected, you have to apply to the state association, along with a recommendation from the local band director.

Left to Right: Austin Cook and Sarah Collison.

Iowa State Fair: Ag Demo

FFA members share their love and knowledge of agriculture with fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair. Members organize an activity to perform at the fair and then try to get the crowd to participate in the activity. In 2018, East Buchanan FFA members tested the agricultural knowledge of fairgoers over various industries. Depending on the number of correct answers determined the fairgoers prize. The chapter received second place for their efforts for the second year in a row.

Kayla Dudley reading questions to fairgoers while Alexa Riniker recruits new players.

Hayley Hamilton reading trivia questions to fairgoers.

Iowa State Fair: Foundation Sales

The Iowa FFA Foundation raises lots of money for various activities around the state of Iowa and we do our part by helping them sell toy tractors at the Iowa State Fair. Located in the FFA Display Building, East Buchanan FFA members sold various types of toy tractors, clothing and paintings to fairgoers as they observe the fair projects inside the building. Every dollar made goes to the Iowa FFA Foundation and East Buchanan gets credit for those dollars raised at the end of the year. 

Dylan Kortenkamp and Austin Cook attempting to sell a belt buckle to a fairgoer.

Legislative Symposium

​The legislative symposium is where FFA members across the state of Iowa meet with their legislatures to "Agvocate" at the state capital in Des Moines for agricultural education and FFA. The legislatures that represent East Buchanan are Representative Bruce Bearinger and Senator Craig Johnson.

Left to right: Representative Bearinger, Alex Gentz, DeAnn Lentz, Kayla Dudley, Hayley Hamilton, Austin Cook, Jodie Mausser and Mr. Doese.