By Callahan Anderes

The proficiency contest is the contest where members get to show off what they have been doing in their projects for the year. These can range anywhere from Agricultural Communications to Emerging Agricultural Technology. There are 49 proficiencies available to apply for. Members create a record book of their work from the year. They also have an application they fill out. At the convention, the members are judged and interviewed by other members. Winners of the proficiencies will be competing at state.

The co-op quiz tests members on their knowledge of cooperative businesses in agriculture. The quiz has 42 questions and the member with the most correct answers wins. The winners of the co-op quiz are: third place, Bailey Blagg from La Grande, second place, Luke Croomer from Baker,, and winning the contest is Callahan Anderes from La Grande. Anderes will be competing at state in the co-op quiz.

Eastern Oregon District elected its district officers at this convention as well. The candidates apply, and they are interviewed by a nominating committee at the convention. The 2013-2014 district officer team is Amy Edison from Enterprise as President, Daniel Colton of Union as Vice President, Taylor Robinson from La Grande as Secretary, Molly Del Curto from Cove as Treasure, Bailey Wearin of Joseph as Reporter, and Eli Bowers of Imbler as Sentinel. These new officers will be presenting awards at Eastern Oregon Livestock Show and other district events throughout the year. The officers also plan the Eastern Oregon District Leadership camp in the fall. The 2012-2013 district officer team will be mentoring them as they embark on this year of leadership. This retiring officer team consists of Remington Fraizer of Imbler as President, Callahan Anderes from La Grande as Vice President, Kellie Freels from Baker as Secretary, Kagan Koehn of Cove as Treasure, Shakira Yeager from Union as Reporter, and Bailey Wearin of Joseph as Sentinel.

Recently, Oregon FFA teamed with Les Schwab tires for a canned food drive to help end hunger. At the convention, La Grande Les Schwab manager Bob Butler revealed the weight of the food each chapter collected. The convention ended in a photo op of the district with the chapter members, advisors and Les Schwab manager Bob Butler.

Eastern Oregon District has been very successful this year. They have another year of excellent leadership ahead of them Eastern Oregon District FFA Convention by Callahan Anderes

March 6th,members from the Eastern Oregon FFA District met in Cove, OR, to compete in proficiencies, co-op quiz, and run for district office. The chapters that competed at the convention are Wallowa, Joseph, Enterprise, Elgin, Imbler, Union, La Grande, Cove, Baker, and Pine-Eagle.