IOWA LAKES STUDENTS COMPETE AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

A team from Iowa Lakes Community College placed sixth in the nation at the national Postsecondary Ag Student Troubleshooting contest earlier this month.

Bryce Hoffert of Emmetsburg and Chris Kipfer of Spencer, participated in the competition in Idaho Falls, Idaho, following their fourth place state finish a month earlier. They competed against 24 teams in the nation. To determine the top positions, individual students took a written test, identified parts, were evaluated on routine job tasks and then worked as a team troubleshooting on different types of farm equipment.

This is the third time in three years that Iowa Lakes has sent students to the national troubleshooting competition.

Both Hoffert and Kipfer gained their skills while in the Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology program at Iowa Lakes. Both are first-year students and will have the chance to compete again next year. They were the only freshmen participating in the national contest.

While in Idaho, the young men had an opportunity to tour a cattle ranch, attend a rodeo, participate in two banquets and tour other area attractions. They were accompanied on their trip by instructor Troy Kleve. Besides taking classes, Kipfer is employed at Spencer International.

The Postsecondary Ag Student (PAS) contest is a program of the FFA.

Students in the Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology program receive an Associate in Applied Science degree upon graduation from Iowa Lakes.