The latest version of a huge annual agriculturally-oriented undertaking took place on Wednesday of last week in Houston.
Staged once again at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds on North U.S. 63, the 2018 Missouri Future Farmers of America (FFA) Area 13 Competition featured about 700 high school students from close to 20 school districts in the 26-district area that stretches from the Arkansas border to north of I-44.
Competitors participate in numerous disciplines, including agriculture mechanics, dairy cattle, dairy foods, forestry, horse, livestock, meat, poultry and soils. They are basically judged on their ability to judge items or animals in each category.
The event is held each year in March and is made possible by the volunteer efforts of numerous local residents and representatives of agencies including the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Teams utilize the area competition to tune up for the even bigger district competition. Qualifying teams from districts earn the right to compete in April at the state competition in Columbia.