Rep. Stoltze, Berberich receive Honorary American FFA degrees

Two familiar local faces were honored at the 2012 National FFA Convention.

State Rep. Bill Stoltze and Palmer agriculture teacher Don Berberich received the highest honor the National FFA can bestow, the Honorary American FFA Degree.

Berberich has been a dedicated agriculture teacher at Palmer High School, working closely with his students to help them develop as best they can as well as taking on roles in the Alaska FFA when needed.

Stoltze, as a community member, had to fulfill the following requirements to qualify for nomination: exceptional service to agriculture, agriculture education or FFA.

To support these two Honorary American FFA Degree recipients, representatives from Homer, Anchorage, Kodiak, Fairbanks, North Pole and Delta Junction attended the National FFA Convention and the awards ceremony.

Alaska was well represented at the largest annual conference in the United States, drawing more than 50,000 attendees from around the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

While at the National FFA Convention, Alaska representatives also competed in the national job interview, vet science and agricultural mechanics competitions.