Iron Mountain FFA Chapter, founded four years ago in Seward, Alaska, attended the Alaska State FFA Convention the 19th-22nd of April. As has been the trend these last few years, they have again swept the stage in individual and team events, as well as a member winning state office. 

The chapter won gold in Agricultural Issues, which qualified them for Nationals this year. Ag Issues, as it is commonly called, consists of a ten to fifteen minute presentation in either a debate or forum format with three to eight people from the chapter participating, then five minutes of questions from judges. The group must choose an agricultural issue, research the good, the bad, and the solutions, then create a presentation with said information to inform an audience. Teak Barhaug, Aly Guernsey, Trevor Guernsey, Jordan Hartman, Katie Van Buskirk, and Kate Norvell chose to research how climate change is affecting the Alaskan wildlife and oceans, and in turn, the economy. In order to learn the in-depth information on this issue, the team visited the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery: Ocean Acidification & Shellfish Research Laboratory, The SeaLife Center, Seward Marine Center (with the building of a research buoy for Resurrection Bay), and the Rotary Club. They also spoke with marine biologists in Seward’s area, charter captains, and did copious online research in order to get all sides of the issue. 

The team swept the stage in many other events including Vet Science, Environmental and Natural Resources, Extemporaneous Speaking, Prepared Speaking, Employability Skills, Creed, Greenhand, Proficiencies, and Degrees. A complete list is at the bottom of this article. 

Teak Barhaug, the acting president of the Iron Mountain chapter, won Alaska State President, assuming responsibilities in the Alaska FFA Association. He is “to meet more FFA members from across the state, and to help Alaska FFA grow” during the course of his term. Alaskan agriculture could use a boost, and the State Officer team this year has the goal to develop that agriculture, “starting with our youth.” Teak is looking forward to gaining “more leadership experience, especially through meeting…other amazing leaders from the local to national level.” This chapter looks forward to seeing Teak flourish in this position. 

This October, the Iron Mountain FFA Chapter will represent our State at the 95th National Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. They will have car washes held at the Seward Chamber of Commerce to help finance the trip on May 15th, 22nd, and 29th. 

**23 awards in 10 different competitions with 6 members attending:

Creed Speaking

Jordan Hartman – Bronze

Katie VanBuskirk – Fourth

Star Greenhand

Katie VanBuskirk – Silver

Employability Skills

Teak Barhaug – Bronze

Aly Guernsey – Fourth

Prepared Speaking

Teak Barhaug – Gold, can move onto National competition

Extemporaneous Speaking

Teak Barhaug – Gold, can move onto National competition

Trevor Guernsey – Bronze

Veterinary Science – Team 1st, Gold, can move onto National competition

Katie VanBuskirk – Gold Individual

Jordan Hartman – Silver Individual

Kate Norvell – Bronze Individual

Environmental & Natural Resource (ENR) – 

Team 2nd, Silver

Teak Barhaug – Gold Individual

Trevor Guernsey – Bronze Individual

Aly Guernsey – Sixth Individual

Ag Issues 

Team 1st, Gold, can move onto National competition

Leadership Award 

Trevor Guernsey, medal

Proficiency 

Gold -Teak Barhaug, Outdoor Recreation (Gold panning employment), moving onto National level

Silver – Aly Guernsey, Outdoor Recreation (Inn/AirBnB cleaning & caretaking)

Star Proficiency Placement 

Teak Barhaug

State Degree

Teak Barhaug, can apply for American Degree

State Officer 

Teak Barhaug, 2022-2023 President, becomes National Delegate with office