This year's Mechanics Contest hosted by Melstone FFA is made possible

due to a generous grant from Signal Peak Foundation -- THANK YOU!!!!!!

We also acknowledge the ongoing hours of effort and energy provided by the FFA Alumni and multiple other volunteers / helpers that keep this event vibrant and a long-standing Melstone tradition.

It cannot happen without your presence, experience, wisdom, values, and positive attitudes.

Monday February 3rd 2025

Hosted by Melstone Public Schools in Melstone, MT

  • Melstone Mechanics Invitational

    • Hosted by Bart Ovnicek of Melstone

  • Southeastern District Ag Issues

    • Hosted by Angela Mayfield of Roundup

  • Southeastern Districts for FBM

    • Todd Lackman Huntley Project

  • Southeastern District Mechanics Contest

    • Hosted by Bart Ovnicek of Melstone

All FFA chapters are invited to compete. 

Competition Awards Structure:

  • Overall Senior and Junior Division Teams - 1st / 2nd / 3rd places - includes all schools

  • Southeastern District Senior and Junior Division Teams and Individuals - 1st / 2nd / 3rd places - includes only district schools

  • Overall Senior and Junior Division Individuals - 1st / 2nd / 3rd places - includes all chapters.

**Registration is set up on Judging card. (Thank you, Todd, for your help.) 2025 Melstone Mechanics Contest REGISTRATION

Tentative Plan for Stations - 20 minute rotations with 5 minutes in between stations.:

  • Welding

    • Senior Mig welding a “T” fillet weld with a root pass and a second layer with two passes

    • Junior Mig welding a lap weld with a root pass

      • Steel will be 1/4 inch and 3"x6" and 1-1/2"x6"

  • Electrical

    • Seniors - 3-way switches

    • Juniors - Single switch

  • Carpentry

    • Seniors - Top and bottom plate layout of wall

    • Juniors - Bottom plate layout of a wall

  • Small engines - fuel, carburation, and spark

  • Safety test

  • Plumbing - venting and P-traps

  • Surveying - TBD

  • Tractor  

Check-in at 7:00am / Start at 8:00am / Conclude by 12:40pm

** Fee per Student is $25

>> Lunch $6 for Students, Bus Drivers, Advisors and Helpers

Cost will adjust down if we can, depending on costs and donations

 Tentative plan, subject to change. More details to come.  

Questions or Suggestions/Feedback?

Contact Bart Ovnicek, Melstone FFA Advisor

bart.ovnicek@melstone.net / Phone: (406) 970-4527

Thank you to all the teams that competed in the 2024 Mechanics Invitational Contest!

1st Place Senior Team - Ruby Valley FFA / Sheridan High School

1st Place Junior Team - Miles City FFA #1 / Custer County District H.S.

2nd Place Senior Team - Miles City FFA / Custer County Dist H.S.

2nd Place Junior Team - Columbus FFA

3rd Place Senior Team - Big Timber FFA / Sweet Grass County H.S.

3rd Place Junior Team - Forsyth FFA

Senior High Point: Brett Gruba / Miles City FFA

Junior High Point: Tyler Kleinsasser / Miles City FFA #1

Melstone Invitational Mechanics Contest Information

The Melstone Mechanics Contest will be the first Monday in February each year. Participant check-in opens at 7:00am with the contests beginning at 8:00am.

All fees need to be paid at check-in or send a check to:

Melstone FFA

PO Box 97

Melstone, MT 59054