FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Kent Boggs
May 2, 2018405-743-5498
Oklahoma FFA Honors Vinita FFA Member as State Star in Agriscience Winner
By Mason Martin, Media Intern
OKLAHOMA CITY – Vinita FFA member Riley Bingham, the 2018 State Starin Agriscience, has participated in everything from dairy products evaluation to agricultural mechanics design and fabrication, but he found his passion in the scientific process.
Bingham’s supervised agricultural experience was rated the best in agriscience among the 794 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 92nd annual State FFA Convention on May 2.
Bingham’s interest in research stems from his supervised agricultural experience working for his father’s construction company.After working for his father, Bingham developed his own business doing small projects and decided to look into common problems in construction.
“I looked at the three main types of environmental hazards we have here in Oklahoma — earthquakes, high winds and the drastic changes in temperature we face,” Bingham said. “Then, I tested the different types of structural reinforcements we can use.”
To test his hypotheses, Bingham designed his own earthquake simulator to test a structure’s movement as well as analyzing how wind interacts with the environment.
Looking for these solutions, Bingham found adding half an inch of sheathing to a home or barn can positively impact all three tested areas. It helps resist wind damage, lessen movement during an earthquake and regulate heat loss.
Bingham said his time in FFA helpedhis research.
“Communicating with people in the industry, engineers I consulted with and just my overall dedication and leadership skills, I’ve learned were able to be applied,” Bingham said.
Bingham’s projects have taken him to the state contest before wherehe received a silver award in the Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication career development event and gold in Agriscience.He competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair where he received a gold award in the Power, Structural and Technical Systems division.
Aside from his research, Bingham is active in his chapter, where he serves as vice president.
“I try to help with everything we do,” Bingham said. “I go to the farmers markets we have, help on the catering team, and I’ve recently helped bring a forestry team to Vinita.”
The 18-year-old VinitaHigh School senioris the son of Mark and Misty Bingham. His agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser is Carolyn Piguet.
After graduation, Bingham plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study architectural engineering.
“FFA has opened me up as a person,” Bingham said. “It’s shown me all these opportunities in life that I can pursue and helped me pick a path for myself.”
Along with the State Star honor, Bingham received the Governor’s Trophy and a $1,500 award, sponsored by the Noble Research Institute. The national sponsor for this award is CNH Industrial Capital.
FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education division in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system. With nearly 27,000 members and 360 chapters, the Oklahoma FFA Association is the fourth-largest state FFA association. 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. To learn more about the Oklahoma FFA, visit okffa.org.
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Riley Bingham(second from left) of the Vinita FFA Chapter accepts the 2018 State Star in Agriscience award from Hugh Aljoe (left) of the Noble Research Institute, Beecher Owens (second from right), northeast area vice president, and Brooklan Light, Oklahoma FFA reporter.
The award is sponsored on the state level by the Noble Research Institute. The national sponsor for this award is CNH Industrial Capital.