Charles City FFA members awarded American FFA degree

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Caleb Deetz and Dan Swartzrock of the Charles City FFA chapter  were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 93rd National FFA Convention and Expo Oct. 27-29, held virtually.

Also at the convention, Charles City FFA Member Blake Frascht was recognized as a finalist for the Diversified Agriculture Production award. Frascht was one of four finalists from across the nation.

The FFA degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. This year, 4,136 American Degrees were awarded.

Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Deetz is a 2018 graduate and Swartzrock is a 2017 graduate of Charles City High School. The two were recognized and honored at a small gathering at the Gil and Donna White Charles City FFA Youth Enrichment Center at the Floyd County Fairgrounds.

Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a long list of FFA and community activities. Less than 1% of FFA members achieve the American FFA Degree.

Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate after being recognized at the national convention.

The Diversified Agriculture Production award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they own their own business or hold a professional position as an employee.

Frascht has grown his diversified entrepreneurship from one heifer and two feeder cattle to 420 acres of row crops, 238, head of feeder cattle and 49 acres of forage production. He utilizes conservation practices of feeding cattle under roof to eliminate runoff, no-till, GPS shut-off on his sprayer to reduce overlap, and grassed waterways to prevent nutrient runoff and erosion.