WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Big E, Eastern State Exposition, is held yearly in West Springfield, Mass. One of the many events held at the Big E is the FFA Eastern Regional Competitions. The FFA portion of the Big E invites the top qualifiers from 15 states reaching from Kentucky to Maine to compete in CDE’s, Agriscience Fair and Star Programs. In 2024, the Arcanum MVCTC FFA Chapter qualified in the CDE event Farm Business Management. Members of the team were Ethan Hartman, Katelynne Michael, Carrie Denlinger and Landon Miller.
The Farm Business Management team placed first as a team in the Big E competition. During the competition members completed an individual test that covered areas of business, finance, and taxes. There was also a team activity where they worked together to calculate and solve real world business problems. Ethan Hartman placed second as an individual in the contest. The success of the FBM team also helped the Ohio FFA capture the Big E Sweepstakes against the other states competing.