Aggies earn American FFA Degrees

NCTA Aggie students who have earned an American FFA Degree are, top row, from left: John Lauer, Camden Wilke, Ethan Aschenbrenner and Tyler Aschenbrenner. Front, from left, Aurora Urwiler, Emily Kammerer, Kayla Mues and Audrey Heinz. Not available for the photo are Colton Bell, Camryn Evans, Jocelyn Kennicutt, Nina Parry and Brittany Pellatz. (NCTA photo)

Oct. 28, 2019

By NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – Thirteen freshmen and sophomore students attending the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis will receive the highest honor in FFA this week.

American FFA Degrees will be awarded Saturday at the 92^nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

The Aggie students who are studying agriculture education, animal science, diversified agriculture, agronomy, or veterinary technology at NCTA were active in their high school FFA chapters.

“We are very proud of the leadership and career paths these students have continued into their college programs here at NCTA in Curtis,” said Douglas Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of animal science and agricultural education.

The American Degree represents an FFA member’s commitment throughout their FFA career in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences, along with leadership and community involvement.

The students, majors, FFA chapters are:

Ethan Aschenbrenner, Scottsbluff FFA, agronomy
Tyler Aschenbrenner, Scottsbluff FFA, diversified agriculture
Colton Bell, York FFA, agronomy
Camryn Evans of DeWitt, Wilber-Clatonia FFA, vet technology
Audrey Heinz, Eaton, Colo., Eaton FFA, ag education
Emily Kammerer, Sutherland FFA, animal science
Jocelyn Kennicutt, Gothenburg FFA, animal science
John Lauer, Gothenburg FFA, animal science
Kayla Mues, Cambridge FFA, ag education
Nina Parry of Genoa, Twin River FFA, vet technology
Brittany Pellatz, Plainview FFA, vet technology
Aurora Urwiler of Laurel, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge FFA, ag education
Camden Wilke of Columbus, Lakeview FFA, animal science

Most of these students will be attending with their FFA chapters or family members to accept their degree although a representative can accept it on their behalf, said Smith, who also serves at the faculty advisor for the NCTA Collegiate FFA Chapter.

NCTA is one of few remaining colleges in the U.S. focusing solely on agriculture production, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics and veterinary technology programs. See ncta.unl.edu for details.

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