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ECHS FFA team takes third place in livestock judging
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The Effingham County High School FFA livestock judging team recently competed in the Area IV FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event.

The event was held at Southern Pines Agriculture and Expo Center in Dublin on Dec. 2.

The Livestock Judging Career Development Event allows agricultural education students the opportunity to make accurate observations of livestock, determine the desirable traits in animals, make logical decisions based on their observations, and discuss and defend those decisions.

Participants place classes of breeding and market beef, sheep, goats, and swine, and then give oral reasons to the judges as to why they placed each class as they did. Team members include Austin Beard, fourth high individual, Dalton Dixon, Evan Lastinger, Amber Miller, Macy Smith, and Carlie Sheppard, fifth high individual.

FFA is a national organization of 610,240 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Meredith Arrington is the Effingham County High School FFA advisor and livestock judging team coach.

Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
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