The Superior Express -

Lawrence-Nelson FFA launched the 2022-2023 school year with a student vs. staff and parents kickball game on Friday, Aug. 19, in the east arena at the fairgrounds. The adults were outnumbered and outclassed in both offense and defense, but there's always next year.

Other events in August included an officer retreat and tour of McLean Beef in York, 7 a.m. range judging practices twice a week and the first meeting of the year for both high school and junior high members. Lawrence-Nelson has 54 FFA members total in the high school and junior high chapters.

September saw the first FFA travel event of the school year. Juniors, seniors and six natural resources students explored Husker Harvest Days on Sept. 14, and a few got the coveted buckets from the Big Iron booth.

Twenty-two FFA members competed at the Area 5 range judging contest in Linwood, on Sept. 22. Range judging is a multi-faceted contest where student identify grasses, forbs and shrubs (with correct spelling), assess ranch maps, take a range knowledge exam and identify ecological sites. Four youth placed in the top 25 percent at the area contest and qualified for state. Jasper Elledge (7th grade), Owen Smiley (9th grade), Cody Brockman (10th grade), and Bailey Ceder (11th grade) competed at the state range judging contest in Chadron on September 29. They were among 376 students from 40 different schools who competed at state.

Next up, Lawrence-Nelson students will start practices for Fall Career Development Events on Nov. 30.

Lawrence-Nelson High School students who participated in Area Range Judging contest are (back row, from left) Ace Wulf, Cody Brockman, Bailey Ceder, Riley Funk, Jacob Kathman, Wyatt Hajny, Nathan Elledge, Nolan Ostdiek, (middle row): Kali Cassell, Kara Peters, Maddy Laughlin, Owen Smiley, Brynnly Harrison, Hadley Ostdiek, Natalie Jacobitz, Preslea Adams, (front row): Maya Fanning, Gus Harrison, Jasper Elledge, Monte Hajny, Jace Hoelting and Bayleigh Bohlen. Jasper Elledge, Owen Smiley, Bailey Cedar and Cody Brockman qualified for state competition.

Members of the L-N High School FFA 2022 range judging team are Owen Smiley, Natalie Jacobitz, Cody Brockman, Nathan Elledge, Bailey Ceder, Riley Funk, Jacob Kathman, Nolan Ostdiek and Wyatt Hajny.

The members of the junior high FFA 2022 range judging team are Jasper Elledge, Bayleigh Bohlen, Brynnly Harrison, Maya Fanning, Kara Peters, Kali Cassell, Jace Hoelting, Hadley Ostdiek, Gus Harrison, Preslea Adams, Maddy Laughlin, Monte Hajny and Ace Wulf.

People interested in coaching, supporting, or chaperoning the Lawrence-Nelson FFA are asked attend the FFA Alumni-Friends of FFA reorganization meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Nelson at the ag shop.

Upcoming events:

Harvest Lunch Help – 10:30 a.m.Thursday, Oct. 13 at CPI, Ruskin

FFA Meal Deal at Deshler football game – 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14 at Lawrence

L-N FFA Alumni Reorganization meeting – 7 p.m.,Wednesday, Oct. 19. at the ag shop

National FFA Convention – Oct. 25 through Oct. 29 at Indianapolis, Ind.

District 6 Fall CDE Events (livestock judging, poultry judging, quizbowl, and floriculture) – Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Buffalo County Fairgrounds