Encampment has Future of Farming in its School

Encampment FFA had 12 students compete in the State FFA Convention on April 10 through April 13 across a variety of categories including livestock and crop harvest.

The 12 students received an Award of Recognition from the Wyoming FFA for High Team-Team Activity Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems. Encampment earned a second award as Reserve Champion Team Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems award.

The program is led by Paul Switzer, vocational agriculture teacher and FFA Club Adviser. Switzer has worked in the agriculture industry and worked as a diesel mechanic. His experience and knowledge have helped guide his students in state competitions.

“We had a great year in state FFA,” Switzer said. “Our team returned home late Saturday evening. We had students compete in meat judging, livestock evaluation and agricultural mechanic technology. “

Switzer said his FFA students also got some first and second-place individual finishes at State.

He explains what category his students won and is proud of the work that they did.

“Our agricultural mechanic team won 1st place in their team problem solving,” Switzer said. “They took 2nd place overall in the agricultural mechanical technology competition.”

Switzer talked about the students who made the top honors in state competitions. He said they deserved honors and had a bright future ahead of them both in college and the workforce.

“Our agricultural mechanic team consists of Korbyn Barkhurst, Ryon Miller, Raden Miller, and Hayden Crow, “ Switzer said. “ Out of those students, Ryon, Raden, and Korbyn all finished in the top 30 of 190 students.”

Before coming to Encampment, Switzer worked for one year at Hanna High School. He said what he loves the most about being a teacher at Encampment is the class size.

“It allows me to work one-on-one with students to see what they want to excel in and that is the best part of my day is hanging out, working with them, and watching them succeed,” said Switzer.

Switzer said he has two seniors who are graduating this year and will be attending Casper College for the diesel mechanics program and his other student is looking to get a business degree at the University of Wyoming. He hopes what his seniors learned from his program will carry on in the work field after college.