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Kentucky FFA members excel at National FFA Convention

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Kentucky FFA members excel at National FFA Convention


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Graphic reading: KDE News, Kentucky Department of Education

(INDIANAPOLIS, IND.) – Kentucky FFA’s Caroline Groth of the Locust Trace Chapter (Fayette County) was elected as the 2024-2025 Eastern Region vice president for the National FFA Organization at the 97th annual National FFA Convention on Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis, Ind. Kentucky FFA was well represented at the convention, the largest youth organization gathering in the U.S., attended by nearly 72,000 FFA members, advisors and guests.

As she assumes her new duties, Groth and her five teammates will each travel over 100,000 miles this year to serve more than a million members of the national organization. She also will visit with agriculture and business leaders and government officials as an ambassador for the organization and the agriculture industry.

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Groth will take a year off from her studies at the University of Kentucky to fulfill the duties of her office.

Groth is the daughter of Jason and Cara Groth of Lexington. Her FFA Advisors are Toni Myers, Daniel Bustle, Ally Thompson, Doug Ashcraft, Brian Craig, Fallon Jackson, Graciela Barajas, Latissa Higgins, Nicki Jones, Kathleen Magsam and Morgan Margita.  

Other Kentucky Winners

Kentucky winners also included:

  • Spencer County FFA was the national winner of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) for the 11th time. Members of the team were Evan Waller (seventh high individual), Greyson Humes (sixth high individual), Scarletann Williams (fourth high individual) and Hunter King (second high individual. The coach was Bland Baird.
  • Anna Chaliff of Rockcastle County was the national winner of the Nursery Production Proficiency Contest. The award was based on a written application that detailed her work and skill development through her job at Williams Greenhouse. She also completed an interview with a panel of judges representing industry and education. Her advisors are Matthew Whitaker and Lewis Mink.
  • Madisonville North Hopkins (Hopkins County) FFA was recognized as one of the top three chapters in the nation in the National Chapter Contest in Building Communities. The chapter worked with local partners to construct a medical clinic in a used shipping container. The container is currently in transit to Africa, where it will be used to serve people in a remote area of the continent. 
  • Nathan Stout and Jacob Henry of Old Kentucky Home Middle School (Nelson County) placed third in the Power Structural and Technical Systems Division 2 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Woodford County FFA placed fifth in the nation in the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event. Team members were Carolina Rhea, Carson Probst, Faith Harris and Hunter Davis. Rhea was the fourth highest individual in the event.
  • Cole Nichols of Bourbon County placed fifth in the National Agriscience Fair in Social Systems Division 3.
  • Riley Hall and Owen Kelly of Nelson County Schools placed fifth in Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 2 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • McKenzy Neyhouse of Boyle County Middle School placed fifth in Environmental Science Division 1 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Mollie Webb of Barren County placed sixth in the nation in the Employment Skills Leadership Development event.
  • Isabella Smith and Laurel Ann Mousty of Old Kentucky Home Middle School placed sixth in Social Systems Division 2 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Peyton Ervin and Neveah Ford of Nelson County Schools placed sixth in Plant Systems Division 6 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Christian Ashby and Warren Zabenco of Nelson County Schools placed sixth in Environmental Science Division 6 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Spencer County FFA placed seventh in the nation in the Nursey Career Development Event. Team members were Haley Goodlett, Tegan Buckman, Madilyn Hood, and Sierra Martin. Goodlett ranked ninth place in individual competition in the event.
  • Addisyn Cull and Hunter Carney of Nelson County Schools placed seventh in Animal Science Division 6 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Brayden Downs and Austin Goodpaster of Nelson County Schools placed seventh in Environmental Science Division 4 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Madison Douglas and Addyson Wood of Taylor County placed ninth in Social Systems Division 6 of the National Agriscience Fair.
  • Three Kentucky FFA members were selected as national proficiency award finalists in their respective areas, meaning they were in the top four nationally. Proficiency awards are based on a written application detailing the student’s accomplishments and learning related to their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Finalists were:
    • Samuel Carsen Thompson, Green County, Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship;
    • Jeffrey Sprowles, Taylor County, Fiber and Oil Crop Production; and
    • Tony Ritchie, Anderson County, Landscape Management.
  • Joe Fritsch of Bourbon County represented Kentucky in the National FFA Talent Contest.
  • Shelby Hillebrandt of Carroll County represented Kentucky in the National FFA Band.

The following teams and individuals competed in National Career Development and Leadership Development Events:

Rankings in National Career and Leadership Development Events

Career Development Event Rating Chapter
Agricultural Communications Silver Western Hills (Franklin County)
Agricultural Issues Bronze Henderson County
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Bronze Apollo (Daviess County)
Agronomy Silver Franklin Simpson (Simpson County)
Conduct of Chapter Meetings Bronze Marshall County
Creed Speaking Silver Adam Blanford, Marion County
Dairy Handlers Silver Kassady London, Metcalfe County
Environmental and Natural Resources Silver Madison Southern
Extemporaneous Speaking Silver Reagan Kovach, Bourbon County
Farm Business Management Bronze Taylor County
Food Science and Technology Bronze LaRue County
Forestry Silver McCreary Central
Floriculture Bronze Menifee County
Horse Evaluation Silver New Covenant (Hardin County)
Livestock Evaluation Bronze Bourbon County
Marketing Plan Silver Menifee County
Meats Evaluation Bronze Spencer County
Milk Quality and Products Silver LaRue County
Parliamentary Procedure Bronze Lincoln County
Poultry Bronze LaRue County
Prepared Public Speaking Silver Elizabeth Lanier, Calloway County
Veterinary Science Gold Locust Trace

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The American FFA Degree, the highest award the organization can bestow on a member, was awarded to 127 Kentucky FFA members.

Eighteen Kentucky FFA chapters were recognized in the National Chapter Contest.

  • Anderson County, Clark County, Grant County, Henderson County, Lynn Camp, Madisonville North Hopkins, Menifee County, Rockcastle County, Spencer County and Taylor County were recognized as National Three Star Chapters.
  • Caldwell County, Carlisle County, Fleming County, Graves County, Harrison County, LaRue County and Locust Trace were recognized as National Two Star Chapters.
  • Hopkins County Central was recognized as a National One Star Chapter.

A complete listing of national convention winners are available on the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo website.

For additional Information, email Matt Chaliff, executive secretary, or call him at (502) 564-3472.


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Kentucky

Survey reveals alarming dental decay rates in Kentucky preschoolers

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1 hour ago

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November 8, 2024

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Survey reveals alarming dental decay rates in Kentucky preschoolers


The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s 2023 Kentucky Early Learners’ Oral Health Surveillance Project survey found dental decay rates for Kentucky children ages 2 through 5 are significantly higher than the national average. 

The survey, funded by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, evaluated the prevalence of dental decay and treatment needs among children and identified populations most at-risk in the Commonwealth. This is one of the largest state-level oral health surveys of children in Pre-K and Head Start programs ever conducted. 

Pamela Stein, D.M.D., M.P.H., a professor in the Division of Public Health Dentistry, served as a co-investigator on the surveillance project. 

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The oral health of young children is essential to health equity as it not only sets the trajectory for oral health across the lifespan but also influences an individual’s overall health and development.”

Pamela Stein, D.M.D., M.P.H., Professor, Division of Public Health Dentistry, University of Kentucky

Project team members screened 6,660 kids across 106 Kentucky counties. Local dental hygienists were hired to serve as screeners and coordinate project efforts at the regional levels. Screeners contacted daycares and Head Start programs in their area. If the daycare or Head Start facilities agreed, screenings were scheduled for the children.  

The screeners were trained to standardize their identification of treated decay (cavities that already had fillings) and untreated decay. If a child was identified to have untreated decay the screener classified the severity of decay and determined the urgency of when the child should receive treatment. 

Each child’s screening results were documented on a report card and sent to their parents/guardians. All report cards contained referral information for local dentists and contact information for the regional coordinator for parents to contact for assistance if their child was identified as needing dental care. 

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The project team concluded that dental decay rates for Kentucky children ages 2 through 5 are considerably higher than the national average and were comparable to the highest risk group in the U.S. which is children living at or below 100% poverty. 

Multiple, interconnected demographic, geographic and social factors influence tooth decay rates among the children screened. Region was the strongest association for untreated decay followed by age, facility type and rural location.  

Additional findings show race, ethnicity and fewer economic resources compounded risk for dental decay. Higher decay rates were found in children attending rural Head Start facilities and Black children in poor ZIP codes in Jefferson County. 

The data from this survey should impact the dental care of young Kentucky children in the future. At a state-wide conference to discuss survey findings on Nov. 1, community and health leaders from across the state discussed strategies to reduce the level of dental decay in our youngest Kentuckians. 

“The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has a statewide mission to increase oral health care access for all Kentuckians,” said Jeff Okeson, D.M.D., professor and dean of the College of Dentistry. “The survey’s findings can help guide and refine our continued efforts in reducing dental disease in children as a part of that mission. It’s just as important to educate everyone about good oral health practices as it is to improve access to oral health care.” 

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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a pediatric dentist and get established when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday, and continue every six months with preventive care. 

However, most children start going to the dentist too late, and it usually is due to complaints of pain associated with decay. Although dental decay is a preventable disease, it remains the most common chronic childhood disease, approximately four times more prevalent than childhood asthma. 

Other data collected from UK Dentistry’s mobile programs for preschool-aged and school-aged children have seen tooth decay rates decline over the years and could be an effective early intervention toward improved oral health that necessitates further examination.



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Kentucky

Survey: Kentucky children’s dental decay rates surpass national average

Published

18 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Survey: Kentucky children’s dental decay rates surpass national average


LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2024) — The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry’s 2023 Kentucky Early Learners’ Oral Health Surveillance Project survey found dental decay rates for Kentucky children ages 2 through 5 are significantly higher than the national average. 

The survey, funded by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, evaluated the prevalence of dental decay and treatment needs among children and identified populations most at-risk in the Commonwealth.  This is one of the largest state-level oral health surveys of children in Pre-K and Head Start programs ever conducted. 

“The oral health of young children is essential to health equity as it not only sets the trajectory for oral health across the lifespan but also influences an individual’s overall health and development,” Stein said.  

Project team members screened 6,660 kids across 106 Kentucky counties. Local dental hygienists were hired to serve as screeners and coordinate project efforts at the regional levels. Screeners contacted daycares and Head Start programs in their area. If the daycare or Head Start facilities agreed, screenings were scheduled for the children.    

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The screeners were trained to standardize their identification of treated decay (cavities that already had fillings) and untreated decay. If a child was identified to have untreated decay the screener classified the severity of decay and determined the urgency of when the child should receive treatment.  

Each child’s screening results were documented on a report card and sent to their parents/guardians. All report cards contained referral information for local dentists and contact information for the regional coordinator for parents to contact for assistance if their child was identified as needing dental care.  

The project team concluded that dental decay rates for Kentucky children ages 2 through 5 are considerably higher than the national average and were comparable to the highest risk group in the U.S. which is children living at or below 100% poverty.  

Multiple, interconnected demographic, geographic and social factors influence tooth decay rates among the children screened. Region was the strongest association for untreated decay followed by age, facility type and rural location.   

Additional findings show race, ethnicity and fewer economic resources compounded risk for dental decay. Higher decay rates were found in children attending rural Head Start facilities and Black children in poor ZIP codes in Jefferson County. 

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The data from this survey should impact the dental care of young Kentucky children in the future. At a state-wide conference to discuss survey findings on Nov. 1, community and health leaders from across the state discussed strategies to reduce the level of dental decay in our youngest Kentuckians. 

“The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has a statewide mission to increase oral health care access for all Kentuckians,” said Jeff Okeson, D.M.D., professor and dean of the College of Dentistry. “The survey’s findings can help guide and refine our continued efforts in reducing dental disease in children as a part of that mission. It’s just as important to educate everyone about good oral health practices as it is to improve access to oral health care.” 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a pediatric dentist and get established when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday, and continue every six months with preventive care.  

However, most children start going to the dentist too late, and it usually is due to complaints of pain associated with decay. Although dental decay is a preventable disease, it remains the most common chronic childhood disease, approximately four times more prevalent than childhood asthma.  

Other data collected from UK Dentistry’s mobile programs for preschool-aged and school-aged children have seen tooth decay rates decline over the years and could be an effective early intervention toward improved oral health that necessitates further examination.    

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Kentucky

Kentucky voters decide where medical cannabis businesses will be allowed

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1 day ago

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November 7, 2024

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Kentucky voters decide where medical cannabis businesses will be allowed


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – In more than 50 cities and counties, voters said “yes” to medical cannabis businesses, including 11 in WKYT’s viewing area: Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Clay, Jackson, Knox, Menifee, Mercer, Morgan, Scott and Woodford.

“Each year we went to Frankfort, we got less no’s than the year before. So we always knew the time would come when the dominoes would fall the rest of the way,” said Kentucky NORML Executive Director Matthew Bratcher.

The Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana last year. It will be enacted on January 1, 2025.

“I’m not surprised at all that everybody wanted to have a cannabis business in their area.”

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But voters still had to decide where the businesses, like cultivators and dispensaries, will open. So, 53 cities and 53 counties let voters decide whether the businesses should be allowed to open in their communities, and it was a yes from all of them.

“With the large cultivation firms, you can see upwards of 100 jobs of more. Processors are going to need lots of people. Dispensaries are going to need a lot of people. These are good jobs with benefits that probably pay a lot more than some of your more entry-level positions. It’s going to be great for our workforce and the communities they’re in.”

The Executive Director of Kentucky NORML, Matthew Bratcher, has been pushing for this change for years.

“We’ve got such a high number of disability cases here in Kentucky, as well as higher rates of cancer and other things. This is going to really help bring some of those numbers down.”

Kentucky has already started distributing licenses to medical cannabis businesses via a lottery system, including Limestone Processing.

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“There were 290 people in our category. Only 10 were chosen and we were one. By definition, we’re really lucky and we feel fortunate,” said Gary Hilliard, the co-owner of Limestone Processing.

If you have a qualifying chronic condition, like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or post-traumatic stress disorder, you can become a medical cannabis cardholder.

“Get people back on the path to healthiness,” Bratcher said.

Kentucky NORML will host registration fairs in different counties starting in January.

Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.

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