After thirty presentations, numerous hours of riding in the school’s suburban, long nights of studying questions and with the support of the community of Canyon, the Agriculture Issues team stood in front of three judges to present their final presentation.  With determination and a passion to win, all seven team members were ready to succeed. 

The Agriculture Issues team brought home the second place banner from the state contest held in Huntsville, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 1. Team members included seniors Andrew Roder, Collin Backus and Hannah Seiver, juniors Tyler Mogford, Quay Owen, and Pate Salazar along with sophomore Ashleigh Smith. 

The Ag Issues contest is a fifteen-minute presentation about a topic that is important in agriculture.  This year’s team selected the topic of “The Ethics of Agriculture Technology to end World Hunger.”  With a pro side, a con side and a technician, the team debated the topic without coming to a definite conclusion at the end.  The team presented to numerous organizations, companies and people such as Consolidated Beef Producers, Todd Staples, Senator Kel Seliger and Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

“It was neat to be able to present in front of numerous organizations and people,” Backus said. “It allowed us to get better at our presentation and question/answer part.”

A Canyon FFA team hasn’t brought home a second place banner from state in at least the past 12 years.

“We tied with Madisonville in the semi-finals,” Seiver said. “Our team knew, when we walked into the finals room, that we had to give a 110 percent to increase our chance at making it to nationals.”

Even though the team placed second, they became stronger as a unit, and members said they learned that they can accomplish anything.

“Throughout the countless hours of practice, memorizing, driving and presenting, we bonded together as a team which helped us when we went to Huntsville,” Salazar said.

The Ag Issues team has been brainstorming ideas for next year’s presentation.

“As disappointing as it was to not win the contest, we knew we did the best we could,” Mogford said.  “Four of us will be back on the team next year and we are already trying to brainstorm ideas for our next topic to discuss.  Next year, we hope the first place banner will be coming back home with us.”