FFA AG Issues team travels across country to compete

FFA AG Issues team travels across country to compete

By Araceli Galarza Posted October 24, 2019

Taylie Hoyt, Weston Noyes, Mick Coleman, Dillon Patterson, Isaac Mori, Brett Ferraro and Alison Aitken will be heading to Indianapolis, Indiana, representing the state of Nevada and Lowry’s Ag Issues team in the competition.

They will get the chance to show their knowledge of local agriculture and represent agricultural needs. Competing against up to 52 other states for a chance to win scholarships. 

Ag Issues is a presentation about an important topic in agriculture.

“Ag Issues is a 15-minute presentation of your choice on a hot button topic within agriculture,” said Alison Aitken, she further explained how the issue they will be presenting could affect Winnemucca personally and the rest of Nevada.

The Lowry group will be presenting issues with listing the Greater Sage Grouse as endangered.

A greater sage-grouse male struts at a lek (dancing or mating ground) near Bridgeport, CA to attract a mate./Courtesy • Jeannie Stafford/USFWS
A greater sage-grouse male struts at a lek (dancing or mating ground) near Bridgeport, CA to attract a mate./Courtesy • Jeannie Stafford/USFWS

“Our hot button issue is debating whether or not the Greater Sage Grouse and livestock can share the range within northern Nevada,” said Aitken. “I am representing the con side of the issue, the cons of listing the bird as endangered would mean that ranchers wouldn’t be able to graze cattle on protected lands and you wouldn’t be able to mine on protected lands as well as do any urban development.” 

The FFA team has a lot of experience in competing in front of people, Lowry’s FFA team won state last year. 

“Last year in order to win state we had to present the skit to three judges and then after we had to present the final session in front of the state of Nevada, so everyone who came to watch,” said Aitken. 

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