In years past the Powell-Shoshone FFA Chapter has competed in about 15 contests around the state during the school year. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter has only competed in two competitions during the 2020-2021 school year as of currently. Presently, the contests that the program has taken part in has been the 2020 Fall Casper College Livestock Judging Contest and the University of Wyoming Cowboy Classic in a Box which took place online. 

But in upcoming months the FFA program will have the opportunity to compete in a more traditional competition.

As a result of the original COVID-19 outbreak, the announcement was made last year that the 2020 Wyoming FFA Convention, which was scheduled to be held April 15-18 in Cheyenne, was cancelled. 

“No one last spring wanted to cancel opportunities for our members,” Wyoming State FFA Adviser Stacy Broda said. “It was a heartbreaking decision to have to make… given the health orders, we just weren’t given a choice.”

Now, almost a year after the cancellations, Broda said that she and others felt optimistic about providing for FFA members with the flexibility given by the current health guidelines. This includes the planning of the 2021 Wyoming FFA Convention. 

In the past, the competition has consisted of two days of stand-alone contests before the four-day convention. This year, there will be four days of competitions in March and a separate two-day convention in April. According to Broda, some of the changes being made to the state convention this year include social distancing among members, wearing masks at all times and following any other health requirements.

However, the biggest change to the state competition will be individual contests taking place in separate areas at different times, meaning that chapters will not be as together as they have in years past.

“We have worked diligently to provide a modified schedule and host in locations where members can social distance and we can stay within the capacity requirements for buildings,” Broda added.

Among the members attending the convention is the 2020-2021 Powell-Shoshone Chapter FFA President and Chapter Sweetheart, Tegan Lovelady.

“It’s something that we’re all used to doing together. We’re used to all experiencing things as one chapter,” Lovelady said. “And this year we’re going to have to be split up which is really tough on all of us. There’s going to be a lot of members that aren’t going to get the full experience that everyone else has had in the past.”

Regardless, the COVID-19 pandemic has not discouraged the students from thinking of alternatives to canceled activities and events. 

For instance, after the chapter was unable to participate in the traditional Loaves and Fishes fundraiser, the group set out decorated jars at the Blairs’ checkout lines to raise money through loose dollars and change. With the money raised, they purchased non-perishable items to donate to the organization. Overall, the group raised more than $3,000. 

In the future, the group plans to participate in more community service projects and to host events while adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines. Lovelady said that while these modifications have been difficult, the group has been able to make the changes successfully.

“It’s been awesome to have a team that can come together in times of hardship, rather than split apart,” Lovelady added.

“Having a background in agriculture just naturally makes us all tough,” Broda said. “In our industry you face many challenges, but the good outweighs the bad, and you overcome. We will overcome, do what we can, and keep moving forward.”