Kimmie Hamann Earns Top FFA Award

WAITSBURG – Kimmie Hamann is one of a select few Waitsburg High School graduates to earn the American FFA Degree – the highest one degree in the organization.

"This is the highest degree one can earn in the National FFA Organization. In Washington State, there were only 38 members who qualified for the award, out of the more than 3,000 members," said Waitsburg FFA Advisor Nicole Abel.

The twenty-one-year-old earned her degree by raising sheep for her Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) and keeping records, from the time she was a freshman. She applied for the degree in February and will actually receive it during the National FFA Convention in October, according to Abel

Hamann's project entailed breeding and raising a flock of sheep that she sold to local 4-H and FFA members, as well as keeping a few each year for her own market project and to build up her flock.

"Kimmie invested in a long-term project and saw the value of keeping records from day one. She knew from the beginning that she had a quality project and set her sights on this degeree. It's great to see those kids with exceptional drive and passion be recognized." Abel said.

Only six WHS FFA members have earned the American Degree. It is notable that three of those were earned under the advisorship of Nicole Abel.

Waitsburg FFA American Degree Winners

2017 – Kimberly Hamann

2016 – Mikala DeRuwe

2013 – Christy Poirier

2000 – Amanda McKinley

1986 – Carrie Stonecipher

1976 – Robert McKinney