Last year, NCTA hosted the North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, bringing students from far and wide to the region.
This year, the team ventured far away to Modesto Junior College in California to compete and learn at the NACTA Judging Conference. The Livestock Judging Team competed in several classes, placing near the top in many. They were 5th Overall Team; 5th in Swine, Sheep, Beef Cattle and Reasons; and 6th in Goats.
Livestock Management Team earned 3rd Overall Team. The Dairy Judging Team achieved 3rd and 4th Overall Teams. Taylor Wilson of Hastings, Neb., was 6th Overall Individual and 2nd in
Placings. Jozlyn Anderson of Plainview, Neb., was 7th Individual and 5th in Placings. Haley Robb of Doniphan, Neb., was 10th in Reasons.
Emma Harms of Sterling, Neb., was 9th in Reasons. Modesto is a two-year college in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, between Yosemite National Park and the Pacific Coast / San Francisco. It is the home of a premier agriculture program that serves the extensive agriculture industry of the Central Valley of California.
This region alone produces over 250 crops valued at $17 billion annually, contributing an estimated 25 percent of the nation's food. NCTA Dean Dr. Larry Gossen congratulated, "Once again, we are very proud of our judging teams representing NCTA at these national competitions. We are excited to be National Champions again.
We tell prospective students that we have the country's best agronomy program, which proves that claim. Kudos to all our Animal Science and Agronomy students for their success."
Dr. Smith shared, "We had a successful trip to Modesto. Students did well! The trip was an awesome experience to witness a different environment and world of agriculture. The students could view new agricultural enterprises—dairy, fruits, nuts and hay. Thank you to Modesto Junior College for hosting NACTA and the great events— 3,329 miles, but priceless learning opportunities!"