The East Knox FFA of East Knox Local Schools announced that six members participated in the State FFA Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event on March 22 at the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus. The announcement was made in a press release on April 1, 2025.
According to the East Knox FFA, the team, consisting of senior Ariana Talbott, juniors Joey Lively and Ariel Atkinson, sophomore Rylan Winkler, and freshmen Nealie Oliver and Madisyn Frost, earned eighth place in the state Milk Quality & Products Career Development Event held at the Rhodes Center on the Ohio Exposition grounds. Competitors tested their skills in tasks such as identifying off-flavors and the intensity of flavors in milk samples, recognizing dairy and non-dairy products, determining fat content, and identifying cheeses from a list of 20 varieties.
In addition to identifying various dairy products, participants completed a California Mastitis Test on milk samples, as well as written exams covering milk production, marketing, and problem-solving questions. The event offers a hands-on educational experience that helps students develop practical skills in recognizing dairy product quality and addressing issues related to milk.
This achievement marks the 17th time an East Knox FFA Milk Quality & Products team has placed in the top ten at the state level. Over the past eight years, the team has had an impressive track record, winning the event four times and securing second place twice, along with fourth and eighth-place finishes in other years. The team will receive a plaque for their top-ten finish.
East Knox Local School District, located in Howard, Ohio, is home to the East Knox FFA Chapter. The chapter supports student development through agricultural education and leadership opportunities. It recognizes achievements such as American and State Degrees and is led by a 2024-2025 officer team including Dylan Springer as President and Hayden Baker as Vice President. The chapter also organizes events like fruit and strawberry sales to support its activities.
