FFA students interested in entering the New York State FFA Welding competition may pre-register by July 29. The competition will be held Thursday, Aug. 11, at the 2016 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott and Son Farms, 2973 Route 414, Seneca Falls. The student contest is part of the largest outdoor agricultural trade show in the northeastern U.S.
Students compete as teams of two and individually for certificates; active FFA students will be scored and compete for $2,250 in scholarship funds from Morrisville State College: $1,000 for 1st place, $750 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place. High Team performance is also recognized.
Each student must perform three welds with two different types of welding equipment provided by Haun Welding. Contestants also complete a metal identification quiz and multiple-choice quiz, and are judged on professional appearance, attitude, preparedness, and safety.
Contest sponsors include Haun Welding and Briggs and Stratton Power Products of Munnsville.
To pre-register for the Thursday, August 11 competition, contact contest coordinators Johanna Bossard, 315-824-6386,jbossard@hamiltoncentral.org, or Professor Fred Bach, Morrisville State College, 315-684-6299,bachfw@morrisville.edu. A list of equipment to bring to the contest will be provided. Students may also register on-site at 9am on contest day.
The New York State FFA and 4-H Tractor Driving Safety Contest will also be held Thursday, Aug. 11, at the 2016 Empire Farm Days.
Experience Empire is the theme of the 300-acre Empire Farm Days in 2016. The event features the latest farming techniques, tractors, trucks, and implements of all sizes and uses; crop and equipment demonstrations, Dairy Profit and other educational seminars, test driving, live cattle and horse demonstrations, farm safety and family life displays, and information booths by hundreds of agriculture-related vendors, organizations, colleges and associations.
Show hours are 9 am-5 pm on Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10, and 9 am-4 pm on Thursday, August 11. Parking is $10 per vehicle. For daily schedules and more information visit www.empirefarmdays.com or call 877-697-7837.
MORE INFO:
The 2015 Empire Farm Days New York State FFA Welding Contest individual winners, receiving Morrisville State College scholarships, were:
. . . Landon Drumm, Tully Central School, Tully, NY, Onondaga County
. . . Mike Bowers, Randolph Central School, Randolph, NY, Cattaraugus County
. . . Kayla Nefedov, Randolph Central School, Randolph, NY, Cattaraugus County.
The 2015 Empire Farm Days New York State FFA Welding Contest High Team honors went to Landon Drumm and Spencer George of Tully Central School, Tully, NY, Onondaga County.