[Blair Ryan] We are in the Livestock Pavilion for the FFA parade of champions.
This parade has become a fair tradition celebrating FFA participants and their blue ribbon projects.
Projects range from Ag mechanics to livestock to restored farm equipment.
Let's celebrate all their hard work and success.
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[Blair] In the Ag Mechanics and Technology Show there were 112 exhibits shown by 102
members from 34 chapters.
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[Blair] There are more than 19,200 Iowa FFA members.
This year, over 2,100 exhibitors entered more than 8,800 projects.
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[Blair] This year, 937 photographs were brought to the fair by 355 exhibitors from 77 chapters.
In the Farm Crops Division, 69 students from 24 chapters had 373 exhibits that were judged
here at the Iowa State Fair.
There were 597 exhibits in the Horticulture Division shown by 59 FFA members from 25 chapters.
65 students from 18 chapters brought 702 flower displays to the fair for judging in the Floriculture
Division.
The Rabbit Show had 242 exhibits that were brought to the fairgrounds by 31 members from
28 chapters.
In the Poultry Show, 44 exhibitors from 28 chapters brought 300 exhibits to the Iowa
State Fair for competition.
We had a chance to catch up with Holly Schmidt this year's president of the Iowa FFA Association.
[Holly] The parade of champions is a great way for these members to show off their projects
to the millions of fairgoers who come to the Iowa State Fair each year and receive some
recognition for their extremely hard work throughout the year.
[Blair] The Avenue of Breeds is celebrating its 45th year at the fair.
The North Polk FFA chapter at Alleman which is responsible for this exhibit, has over
85 animals on display.
There were 1,001 exhibits in the Swine Division.
In the Commercial Guild Division alone there were 206 exhibits shown by 165 FFA members
from 94 chapters.
In the Sheep Division, 667 exhibits were shown in four divisions.
On its own, the Market Lamb Show had 306 animals that were brought to the fair by 172 exhibitors
from 98 chapters.
The Beef Division had 261 exhibits.
Judges in just the Breeding Beef Show looked at 214 animals from 90 chapters exhibited
by 160 members.
[Holly] I think something that is surprising about FFA is we changed our name in 1988 to
the National FFA Organization.
Some people hear that FFA strands for Future Farmers of America, and that is a rich part
of our history.
But we are known as the FFA now because agriculture includes farming and Agri research and marketing.
so many different avenues of the agriculture industry.
You can be in it even if you live in a town or urban area.
[Blair] The Dairy Cattle Show had 67 animals shown by 20 members from 13 FFA chapters.
72 FFA members from 44 chapters brought 404 entries to the Iowa State Fair in the Horse
Division.
Congratulations to all the winners and all the exhibitors.