FFA Places First in Ag Mechanics
by Jerry Schmidt
May 20, 2009
The North Central District Greenhand Ag Mechanics career development event was held at Belleville on May 11, with six schools competing. Minneapolis placed first with 728 points, followed by Republic County in second with 665.5 points and ahead of Chapman in third with 599.5 points. Bringing home medals were Danny Scharplaz placing 1st, Tanner Davis placing 2nd, Daryl Simmons placing 3rd, and Connor Flegler placing 6th. Also competing were Rex Trahan and Austin Goddard. There were a total of 37 contestants competing in the event.
The competition involved three major areas: carpentry, welding, and tool identification and conditioning. In each area there was a written test and skill to perform. Students identified 75 tools and fasteners. The carpentry skill was a team activity of building a birdhouse. In tool conditioning, students sharpened a drill bit and cold chisel. The third area was welding. This involved three skill welds: a butt weld, fillet weld, and a stringer bead.
