Local FFA team knows its spuds

REARDAN–The school’s FFA program earned another state championship, this time in the Washington State Potato Judging contest held in Moses Lake on Nov. 16.

Seventh and eighth graders from Rick Perleberg’s Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources class comprised the two teams that competed against 50 other FFA teams.

Reardan’s team of Kelsey Koch, Colton Lonning, Levi Collier, Kashley Brown and Freedom LaMoureaux pitted their knowledge of russet potatoes against 230 other competitors and came out on top.

The team of Paige Cushman, Lyla Heinemann, Olivia Wicks and Mylegh Bynum placed fifth.

Each team member graded 100 potatoes, identified blemishes, sorted seed potatoes and provided justification for their decisions.

Perleberg offered praise not only for his teams’ success, but for the potato.

“It is one of the most versatile foods we have,” he said. “It’s not only food for humans and critters, but is used medicinally, too.”

“When they are older, the kids might have a good laugh about being potato judging champions,” Perleberg said. “Most of all, I hope they remember there is value and reward in putting forth effort.”