Little Switzerland FFA claims top honors in Iowa Milk Quality & Products competition

The 2012 Iowa Future Farmers of America (FFA) Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event was held in conjunction with the Blue Ribbon Dairy Classic in West Union Saturday, September 15. A total of 16 teams and 54 individuals participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide students an opportunity to display their knowledge and skills in the area of milk quality and dairy foods.
The Little Switzerland FFA Chapter at Waukon High School was named the Iowa Champion FFA Milk Quality & Products Team. Team members include senior Shelby Bodley, juniors Shaylie Stortz and Krystal Johnson, and sophomore Riley Bodley, all under the direction of Waukon High School Agriculture Education instructor and FFA advisor Jessica O’Connor.
"The girls practiced an average of three times per week, both morning and night," O'Connor said. "The team worked relentlessly to improve on areas of the contest they did not perform well at during the district contest. I am extremely proud of the time and dedication this team has put forth thus far. They are anxious to begin preparation for the National Contest."
The champion team will now compete in the National FFA Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event during the National FFA Convention being held in Indianapolis, IN this October. The champion team also received a plaque sponsored by the National FFA Foundation.
In addition to the overall team championship, Riley Bodley emerged from the competition as the Champion Individual as well in the overall competition. She was also the top finisher in the competition's specialty areas of Milk Fat Identification and Cheese Identification.
Shelby Bodley was also a top-10 finisher with her third-place overall individual finish. She was also the top individual placewinner in the specialty area of Milk Samples.
The Reserve Champion Team in the Milk Quality and Products competition was the North Fayette FFA Chapter. Abby Ollendieck from LaPorte-Dysart FFA was the Reserve Champion Individual.
The Iowa FFA Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event was made possible through the Iowa FFA Foundation with sponsorship by the Midwest Dairy Association in Ankeny. Additional support through the Iowa FFA Foundation was provided by the Iowa State Dairy Association and the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance. Sponsorships received covered individual rosettes and plaques for winning individuals, rosettes for winning teams as well as a plaque for the reserve champion team. Sponsorship will also support the Iowa FFA Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event champion team with a travel stipend for its trip to the National FFA Convention.
The Iowa State University Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition prepared the milk defects component. The event was hosted by the North Fayette FFA Chapter. Milking equipment was provided by Fitzgerald Inc. Westphalia-Surge of Elkader.