— Three teams of students from Southwestern Community College’s (SWCC) agricultural department represented the college at statewide competitions, during the Post-Secondary Ag Student Organization (PAS) spring conference held Feb. 6-7 at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls.
SWCC came home from the event with team and individual honors in beef and swine competition after facing competitors from colleges across the state. College instructors bring their finest students to compete at PAS competition.
The SWCC swine team finished fifth in the state. The team consisted of Micheal Weinkoetz, a sophomore from Afton; Ben Friederichs, a freshman from Durant; and Ben Ostendorf, a sophomore from Madrid. In addition, Weinkoetz placed eighth and Friederichs placed ninth overall in individual competition.
SWCC beef team 1 finished sixth in the state, missing the top five by 0.3 points. Team members included Abby Shaw, a sophomore from Murray; Nate Ketelson, a sophomore from Denison; and David Thompson, a sophomore from Afton.
One component of the beef team competition was the individual test, in which Shaw took third place, after a tie-breaker for second place. Ketelson placed 10th on the exam. Shaw placed 12th overall individually, as well.
SWCC beef team 2 finished 13th overall. This team consisted of Justin Brant, a freshman from Glidden; Brad Cooper, a sophomore from Greenfield; and Zach Welch, a freshman from Afton.
PAS is a national student organization associated with agriculture/agribusiness and natural resources offerings in approved postsecondary institutions offering associate degrees or vocational diplomas and/or certificates.
SWCC offers two-year ag program options including agricultural business, crop production and livestock production, as well as the ag-transfer program for students planning to continue at a four-year college or university. Contact Erika Blair, SWCC ag instructor/farm manager, for more information at 641-782-1352.