Ag mechanic projects earn blue ribbons

By Sam Waller

Two Albany FFA students received blue ribbons last week for their entries in the Fort Worth Stock Show’s Junior Agricultural Mechanics Show.

Junior Ayden Balliew constructed a high rack for hunting, while sophomore Jacob Hale built a deer blind on a trailer.

“Both young men are to be congratulated for their work,” Albany FFA adviser Chris Beard said. “They will exhibit these projects at the San Angelo Stock Show Feb. 2-4.”

Balliew’s two seat rack can be mounted in the bed of a pickup and includes gun mounts.

Hale’s trailer-mounted blind includes a heater and bed.

In addition to the projects, Balliew and Hale had to submit record books that included sketch drawings they made of their projects, bill of material receipts, at least 24 pictures of them working and constructing the project in each phase of completion, and final safety data sheets on all equipment used in the projects.

The projects were judged for workmanship, the students’ knowledge of their projects, design and materials, degree of difficulty, finish, and plans, bill of materials, and photographs. The categories are weighted differently depending on the show – Fort Worth awarded up to 30 points for workmanship, while San Angelo offers 25 – with a maximum possible score of 100.

Scores from the Fort Worth contest had not been released as of press time this week.