Mission Valley FFA members from Ronan, Charlo, and Polson are readying for the state FFA Convention March 31 through April 4 in Great Falls.

To advance to the state competition, kids need to finish in the top six in district competitions.

FFA advisor Jason Frost asked Aaron Luke to explain the system during a recent class at Ronan High School. Frost could have answered the question, but he explained that this is how he approaches FFA. “I’m the advisor; they’re the kids who are doing the work,” he said.

As Aaron speaks, Frost listens intently, occasionally dropping in a forgotten nugget of information or reminding him of something.

Aaron, who’s vice president of the Mission Valley FFA Chapter, said district competitions have been held for meat judging, horticulture, livestock judging, horse judging and poultry judging.

On Feb. 28, the Mission Valley kids will travel to Frenchtown to compete for slots in agricultural sales, creed speaking, and Star Greenhand. The last district competition will be March 13 at Hot Springs High School for mechanics and agronomy.

Aaron, a sophomore, has qualified for state in livestock judging, horticulture, meats and maybe sales, if his team makes it into the top six places. Livestock judging is his favorite event.

Tucker Gainan, also a sophomore, talks about the agricultural sales competition. Each year a different ag-related product is chosen; in 2026 it’s greenhouses.

“Last year was Kubota,” Frost added.

The FFA members compete in individual sales or in team sales.

“We prepare a sales pitch,” Tucker said, “and sell the product to a customer.”

Tucker has a ticket to state in forestry and mechanics, and sales if they qualify at Frenchtown.

His favorite event is forestry “because that’s what I plan for college and a career,” he explained.

He placed ninth at state his freshman year.

“Out of 70 to 100 kids, he was ninth,” Frost added. “It’s not like there were 12 kids.”

According to FFA member Hayley Bergh, a senior, students have compiled a binder on the greenhouse. “We study it and become a master on the product,” she said. “Then we sit down with a person and basically sell it to them.”

Frost noted that during competition, “The person you’re selling it to will be a judge.”

The judges each have a script to follow. They may question the students on the warranty, have an issue with the product or want more information, with each script being slightly different.

Hayley has already qualified for livestock judging, vet science and horse judging. Her favorite is either horse judging or vet science.

Questions for vet science focus on different procedures, she said. A lot of questions center around how much of a medication an animal would need, which requires “lots of math.” Students must also identify parasites, tools and breeds of animals.

Hayley did an internship with Dr. Kevin Detwiler last year. She plans to major in animal science in college and then go on to vet school.

Senior Drew Holmland got involved in FFA because his mom knew Casey Lunceford, an ag teacher at the time.

“Lunceford was a really good role model,” Drew said, plus he had buddies in FFA and ag.

He stuck with FFA and said it’s nice to know people and help out in the community.

Meats, sales, mechanics, and forestry are all interesting, Drew said. He would like to be an ag teacher and an FFA advisor.

“Get to college and get graduated so you can have this job, and I can retire,” Frost joked, adding that the state of Montana is short 32 ag teachers.

Frost said there are about 36 Mission Valley FFA members, but only 20 of those are active members. Active members must have 60% attendance.

The officers set the percentage, which they feel is fair because students often balance jobs, sports and other extra curriculars.

Frost said he’d have set it at 80%, but he’s mean.

The students continue working – Tucker making meats flashcards, Aaron studying a binder and Drew banging on something in the shop, while Hayley heads to a different class. And it’s three minutes until the lunch bell rings.

    FFA and 4-H member Hayley Bergh shows her market lamb at the 2025 Lake County Fair. Hayley aspires to become a veterinarian and is competing in livestock judging, vet science and horse judging at the state FFA convention, March 31-April 4 in Great Falls. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)