The “Big E” = Big Success for Local FFA Members

By Nora Hoy, FFA Reporter|September 23, 2022

Tiffany Hoy

Tyrone Area FFA placed 2nd in PA State Ag Farm Business Contest in June and had the privilege to represent Pennsylvania at the Big E on Sept. 17 and earned 3rd place. Lt. to rt.: Remington Weaver (junior), Jaden Williams (senior), Hailey Houck (senior), and Dylan Ewing (sophomore)

Eight Tyrone Area FFA students attended the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts, and competed against other FFA chapters from September 16-18.

The “Big E,” as the exposition is known, is one of the largest gatherings of FFA groups in the Eastern FFA Region, with more than 700 FFA members from fifteen states competing in various ag-related competitions.

Tyrone FFA members Hailey Houck, Jaden Williams, Remington Weaver, and Dylan Ewing represented Pennsylvania in the Ag Farm Business Management competition.

The Tyrone team placed third overall and Dylan Ewing was recognized for his seventh place finish as an individual.

“Our team worked well together.  Where one may be weak another team member was strong. We balanced each other.  To take third place was a great accomplishment and I’m so proud to have represented our chapter and Pennsylvania,” said senior Hailey Houck.

In addition to the team members that competed, four other chapter officers, Nora Hoy, Reilly Rawlings, Maverick Fleck, and Rayann Walls also attended the exposition.

At the exposition, FFA members participated in a variety of Career Development Events (CDE) reflecting activities in programs of agriculture, agribusiness, and natural resources education.

The officers spent the day touring state buildings to learn about agriculture commodities and industries for New England states.  The students plan to create a display to share their findings with high school students and display at Tyrone Farm/City Day on October 1st.

officers at the fair
Four additional chapter officers attended and spent the day touring various State buildings, industry displays, and agriculture activities at the fair. Lt. to rt.: Nora Hoy (sophomore), Rayann Walls (senior), Maverick Fleck (junior), and Reilly Rawlings (freshman). (Tiffany Hoy)

“It was intriguing seeing other states and how agriculture impacts them. There were lines of people waiting for Maine potatoes and everywhere one looked in the building there were potato products.  Potatoes are Maine’s top commodity,” said senior Rayann Walls.

The expo is a giant classroom full of educational opportunities and events for all ages. Visitors to the fairgrounds can learn everything from milking cows, New England culture, and 19th-century life at the Storrowton Village Museum.

“This trip was not only a great learning experience but [also] fun. Between getting to use our knowledge for the competition, we met other FFA members, explored five states, and learned about New England agriculture,” said sophomore Dylan Ewing.