Promoting Excellence in AgriScience
Teams of two female students will be eligible to receive $250 each by participating in the Illinois FFA AgriScience Fair during the Illinois FFA State Convention in June. Student projects will be judged during the science fair and additional judging will determine the top two female teams for the award. Additionally, the winning teams will be partnered with professionals for career exploration through a tour and interactions with female leaders in the agriculture industry as related to their project or future plans.
For more information about the Illinois FFA AgriScience Fair, visit this link.
2022 Illinois FFA AgriScience Fair Winners
Taylorville FFA
Addison Little and Courtney Thomas
Our project explores how program structure affects teacher retention in Illinois agricultural education, comparing single-teacher and multi-teacher programs. Using surveys and interviews with educators, the study looks at how stress levels, support, and teamwork affect teacher satisfaction and their plans to stay in the profession. Findings show that teachers in multi-teacher programs usually feel more supported, less stressed, and have better access to growth opportunities. In contrast, single-teacher programs often lead to higher stress and isolation. The study shows that more support for single-teacher programs is key to keeping ag teachers and strengthening ag education for the future.
Stark County FFA
Klaire Bays and Hailie Ales
Our apple seed project tested whether freeze-drying could speed up vernalization, the cold treatment needed for seeds to sprout. We compared freeze-dried seeds to traditionally refrigerated ones simulating a normal dormancy period by measuring germination rates and growth. Results showed that freeze-drying significantly reduced the time required for vernalization while maintaining or improving germination success. This approach could help apple growers and researchers produce seedlings faster, saving time and resources. The project demonstrated that innovative preservation techniques like freeze-drying can effectively simulate natural winter conditions and accelerate plant production cycles.
