Wyo FFA posts results
The 98th Annual Wyoming FFA State Convention flooded Laramie County with the state’s future agricultural leaders, donning blue corduroy jackets and competing for titles in contests ranging from agricultural sales and agronomy to livestock judging and parliamentary procedure.
Over 1,300 members representing each of the 67 FFA chapters in Wyoming attended the convention, held April 9-12, to compete, participate in leadership and educational workshops and be recognized for their efforts throughout the year.
“I am filled with pride and gratitude for our members, advisors, alumni and partners who continue to make a positive difference through the lens of agricultural education,” said Wyoming FFA Association State Advisor Stacy Broda. “This year’s theme, determined by the 2024-25 State Officer Team, reflects the power of growth, individuality, hard work and gratitude.”
Gov. Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon, Laramie County Commissioner Gunnar Malm, Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman (both R-WY) all made special appearances at the convention sessions.
Growing leadership
“Each year, state convention is a reminder of what’s possible when we invest in young leaders,” Wyoming FFA Foundation Executive Director Oaklee Gilliland explained. “Students get the chance to connect with others while gaining leadership skills, competing and celebrating together.”
Gilliland shared the Wyoming FFA Foundation awarded $18,000 in college scholarships, gave $2,000 to every team qualifying for the National FFA Convention and provided more than $50,000 in direct and indirect support to make the state convention possible.
“The foundation also served a free meal to every guest one day and welcomed over 45 vendors to a new career fair. These aren’t just numbers, they represent real opportunities and experiences which help shape the future of agriculture in Wyoming,” Gilliland said.
Innovative chapters
Chapters from across the state celebrated the power of growth in their membership and the impact of their chapter activities. Wyoming FFA awards efforts made by chapters which support and promote the FFA mission of building communities, growing leaders, strengthening agriculture and the middle school models of innovation.
Buffalo FFA was recognized as the outstanding chapter in the area of building communities. The chapter helped host the Ashes to Table Dinner after the House Draw Fire devastated ranches in Johnson County. Buffalo FFA members set up tables and chairs, grilled burgers and served dinner at the event, which raised more than $59,000 for a local fire relief fund and fed over 1,000 people.
Upton FFA was the winning chapter in the area of growing leaders. In hopes to empower rural communities, chapter members secured a grant from the Upton Economic Development Board to host the Locked Into Leadership Conference, featuring Keynote Speaker Dallin Cooper.
The Upton FFA chapter was also recognized as the 2025 Wyoming FFA Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row. Other chapter activities earning the title include a podcast highlighting Upton’s agricultural community and partnering with the Weston County Natural Resource District to plant trees and shrubs at a local park.
In the area of strengthening agriculture, Paintrock FFA of Basin strengthened the bonds of their agricultural community through their Thank A Farmer Baskets. FFA members baked homemade treats in the school kitchen and delivered them to local producers. During basket delivery, FFA members had the opportunity to hear farmers’ stories and experiences and create new connections, all over a sweet treat.
The CY FFA of Casper won in the area of middle school models of innovation. Chapter members put their shop skills to the test in building LED lamps with teen-focused engravings. Together, they provided 12 handcrafted holiday gifts for local teenagers.
Additionally, Wyoming FFA welcomed three newly-chartered chapters to the association in 2024 – Burlington FFA, Saint Anthony’s FFA and Worland Middle School FFA.
State stars
The State FFA Degree recognizes the hard work senior members have put into their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, classroom work and community service during their FFA career. In 2025, 225 members received their State FFA Degree.
Of those members, students with exceptional projects became star candidates in the achievement areas of agriscience, agribusiness, agricultural placement and star farmer.
Candidates for the State Star in Agriscience were Kadance Kummer from the Lander FFA and Hayden Overfield from the Thermopolis FFA. Kummer’s SAE examining the differences in grain- and grass-fed beef earned her the coveted title of Wyoming FFA State Star in Agriscience.
Candidates for agricultural placement included McKinlee Covolo of the Jim Bridger FFA, Taylor Agar of the Thermopolis FFA, James Foss of the Buffalo FFA and Gage Grommon of the Burns FFA.
The star candidates for agribusiness were Sequeil Lozier from the Lander FFA, Rylee Agar from the Thermopolis FFA and Blair Sanchez from the Burns FFA. Sanchez was named the 2025 State Star in Agribusiness, with SAEs including co-ownership of SPY Club Lambs, as well as goat and beef production.
Star Farmer finalists included Covolo, Augustina Lembke of the Lovell FFA, Julie Morris of the Newcastle Saddle and Sirloin FFA, Hayden Hubbard of the Burns FFA and Garrett Burkett of the Casper FFA. The 2025 State Star Farmer, with an impressive swine production operation, was Julie Morris.
New leadership team
During the convention, amid competing in contests of all kinds and attending leadership workshops, premier members from chapters across the state vied for a spot on the next officer team.
The newly-elected Wyoming FFA State Officer team, who will serve the association for the 2025-26 year is President Tymber Eckley of the Thermopolis FFA, Vice President Colton Schick of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA, Second Vice President Megan Hedges of the Casper FFA, Third Vice President Brendan Nagy of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA, Secretary Kaylee Rasnake of the Wheatland FFA, Treasurer Amy Peldo of the John B. Kendrick FFA in Sheridan, Reporter Bridger Wolfley of the Star Valley FFA, Sentinel Emerson Hornecker of the Casper FFA and Parliamentarian Hayden Hubbard of the Burns FFA.
President Tymber Eckley, who grew up ranching and raising cattle, sheep and horses, shared, “I am most excited about getting to meet so many other members while hopefully influencing everyone to reach their goals.”
Eckley will attend Casper College to pursue a degree in agricultural education and compete on the livestock judging team.
Retiring Wyoming FFA State President Ahnya Ivie-Moody, who originated from the Devils Tower FFA Chapter in Hulett, shared her year of service was inspirational.
“I learned so much throughout this past year and was able to enhance my leadership abilities while making lasting connections with members, teachers and leaders across the nation,” she said. “I am beyond grateful I had the opportunity to serve the organization I love with a team that has evolved into family.”
Ivie-Moody’s ties to the association will not end with the conclusion of her term, and she hands the gavel over with parting advice for FFA members and the Wyoming agriculture community to be involved.
She shared, “The future of agriculture can’t possibly thrive if there’s nobody willing to be invested in their communities or put in the effort to advocate for agriculture. FFA is raising the next generation of agriculturists and leaders, so it is crucial members begin their service by showing consistent involvement within their chapters, communities, schools and association as a whole. After all, the FFA motto reminds us our duty as FFA members is “Living to Serve.”
Averi Reynolds is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and serves as Wyoming FFA Association State Staff. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
