Submitted photo The overall top ten individuals of the 2017 Jr. High Crop Show: Front- l to r: Morgan Hoffmann, Carmen Lendt, Logan Mickelson, Maddison Helget. Back- Miah Braun, Mackenna Fischer, and Trey Heiderscheidt. Not pictured: Jack Schroepfer, Toby Weiss, and Emma Schieffert.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter held its Junior High Crops Show on Monday, Feb. 6. It was a chance for the families of FFA members to get together and recognize the efforts of the junior high members, while announcing the winners of the 2017 Junior High Crops Show.

Josie Lang created a video of different members talking about FFA and what it means to them. They explained all the different activities junior high members could take part in while being in FFA. The video was made to inspire younger members and get them excited about their journey In FFA.

The Junior High FFA members exhibited 132 samples of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and miscellaneous crops at the 2017 Crop Show. The Junior High students are learning about what the different crop seeds look like and what it takes to have a good sample.

The purpose of the crop show is to exhibit a sample of a crop that will be judged on appearance: uniform color and size as well as having no defects or unwanted debris. Making a crop sample for the show involves a lot of patience and attention to detail. The longer amount of time you spend preparing a crop sample, the more success you will have in the end.

After the crop show, the crops are stored until the county and state fairs the following summer. Last year, FFA Members earned more than $3,300 for their efforts from the crop samples. The Sleepy Eye FFA chapter placed 1st in the crop show at the Minnesota State Fair in September of 2016.

Jr. High Champions for each crop:

Ear Corn Champion: Carmen Lendt

Soybeans Champion: Logan Mickelson

Wheat Champion: Carmen Lendt

Oats Champion: Trey Heiderscheidt

Shelled Corn Champion: Carmen Lendt

Miscellaneous Champion: Jack Schroepfer

The top ten overall for 7th-8th grade included:

Jr. High Crops Champion: Carmen Lendt- 60 points

Reserve Champion for Jr. High: Logan Mickelson-57 points

3rd Place: Morgan Hoffmann-46 points

4th Place: Mackenna Fischer-41 points

5th Place: Trey Heiderscheidt-38 points

6th Place: Miah Braun-37 points

7th Place: Maddison Helget-34 points

8th Place: Jack Schroepfer-30 points

9th Place: Toby Weiss- 28 points

10th Place: Emma Schieffert-23 points

The 2017 Junior High Crop Show was a huge success, and would not have been possible without the involvement of the community! Thank you to everyone who contributed including donating crops, judging the crops, and attending the event.NAAE Region III Secretary