Middleton FFA Floriculture team 2nd in the nation!

Placing second in the nation was Middleton FFA’s floriculture team. Team members included Annie Harrison, Madilyn Cable, Kayelee Austin, and Ryan Moore, all college freshmen who competed on Middleton’s floriculture team for the last two years. Harrison, who is currently studying at Brigham Young University and works at the campus floral shop, placed fifth as an individual.

Reflecting on the win, Harrison shared, “It’s kind of fun because you’re on the stage, they don’t tell you what place you got until you’re already up there. And so, we knew we were top four, and they started going down the list and we didn’t get fourth, we didn’t get third, and then when we got second, it was just really exciting. We’re all really happy and proud of what we have accomplished.”

While Harrison didn't have a background in agriculture and initially joined FFA for the floriculture team, her story is a great example of FFA connecting with urban America.

“I have had many students excel in welding classes and get careers, but Annie is the first student I have had jump into a plant science career,” said Nicholas Davis, one of Middleton Chapter’s advisers. “She naturally exhibits skills from higher-trained florists years ahead of her training. Annie has a wonderful future bringing joy to people with flowers, something that the FFA experience offered.” 

For six FFA member’s long hours of practice paid off as they placed 1st in the Treasure Valley floral design career development event held at Kuna High School on February 22nd.

From Middleton High FFA Samantha Davis, Zizi Wolfer, Kayelee Austin, Ryann Moore 3rd high individual, Annie Harrison 2nd high individual, and Madilyn Cable 1st place individual. The students were trained by their agriculture education teacher Nicholas Davis.

“I enjoyed participating in the floral design CDE because it was a cool learning experience to know how to arrange flowers. I am even able to make my own floral items for school dance’s,” Austin, said.

Those same young ladies also competed against teams at Cambridge high on March 2nd. Middleton also placed 1st high as a team during the Cambridge event. Team members included Ryann Moore 1st high individual, Annie Harrison 2nd high individual, Madilyn Cable, and Kayelee Austin tied for 3rd place individual, and Zizi Wolfer. Middleton beat teams from Kuna, Meridian, Mountain Home, Marsing, Homedale, Nampa, Parma, Weiser, Cambridge, Council, Midvale, and New Plymouth.

The FFA floral design competition consists of a written exam, identification of florist plant and equipment and hands-on skills test in creation of a given floral design. The competition is based on the educational objectives of the Idaho agriculture education horticulture curriculum and standard practices in the horticulture industry.

The purpose of the career development event is to connect students with what is taught in the classroom to practices utilized in the floriculture industry. The competition promotes academic achievement and competence for students who seek a future in horticulture industry.

The event is one of the many educational activities in which the FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Middleton’s floral team will compete against teams from across Idaho on April 6th in Twin Falls, Idaho. Other FFA members not involved in the floral event will compete at horse judging, parliamentary procedure, and ag sales contests.

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