FFA News

Stacie Seger, Eileen Gress & Devon Alexander recap the second session of the Ohio FFA Convention.… Continue reading

In the second session of the Ohio FFA Convention, Highlights included:

• Honorary State FFA Degree recipients were recognized.

 … Continue reading

Prior to convention, the Ohio FFA state officers work vigorously to plan a convention that runs professionally and smoothly. After their performance in the first session it was evident that their hard work paid off. Much goes on behind stage, however, that most FFA members are not aware of.

To start off, the officers are provided with dressing rooms. Colin Barclay, the 2010-2011 state Sentinel, says that it is a necessity because he needs to make sure that his hair looks good before each session. The males on the team refer to their dressing room as the “Man Cave.” There are two rules to the Man Cave. One, the state officer boys are always right, and two, if you think that they might be wrong, refer to rule number one. So, if you have a question or problem, ask the boys of the state officer team because they will know the answer!… Continue reading

Student reporters Stacie Seger, Devon Alexander and Eileen Gress recap the highlights of the first session of the State FFA Convention.… Continue reading

At the first session:
* State FFA Advisor Ike Kershaw talked about the significant expansion in FFA educational opportunities for students.
* A check was presented to the Children’s Miracle Network at Nationwide Children’s Hospital from the Ohio FFA for $31,155.
* CROP/Church World Service received a check for $10, 251 from the Ohio FFA.
* The audience heard about the virtues of chocolate milk as a delicious sports drink.
* Keynote speaker Chad Hymas talked about an accident that led to his paralysis that crippled his body but not his potential. He shared his emotional and powerful story with the FFA students.
* Proficiency winners were announced.… Continue reading

Wildlife Management

1. Jake Watercutter, Anna
2. Katlin James, Fayetteville

Veterinary Medicine

1. Samantha Vermule, Delphos
2. Erin Holycross, Ridgemont

Vegetable Production

1. Mallory McDevitt, Wapakoneta
2. Adam Pulley, Ridgewood

Turf Grass Management

1. Clayton Miller, Elida
2. Matt Thompson, Ridgewood

Swine Production Placement

1. Tonya Fender, Lynchburg-Clay
2. Tyler Armstrong, Wapakoneta

Swine Production Entrepreneurship

1. Brady Campbell, Waterford
2. Douglas Seger, Ft. Loramie

Specialty Crop Production

1.Vicki Nofziger, Pettisville
2.Dara Howser, Western Brown

Specialty Animal Production

1. Levi Criswell, Elgin
2. Trevor Corboy, Eastern Brown

Small Animal Production & Care

1. Kayla King, Pettisville
2.Lara Staples, Western Brown

Sheep Production

1. Kody Wolf, Carey
2. Brady Campbell, Waterford

Poultry Production

1.Libby Bender, River Valley
2.Nathan Fortkamp, Ft. Recovery

Outdoor Recreation

1. Emily Lanning, Logan
2.Corey Decker, Indian Valley

Organic Ag-Ohio Only

1. Brian Keller, Ft. Recovery

Nursery Operations

1. Lindsey Koppin, Anna
2. Amanda Koch, Botkins

Landscape Management

1.… Continue reading

The state officer team always makes big entrance especially for the first session to kick off the State FFA Convention.… Continue reading

By: Danielle Sands

The May Miami East FFA members of the month are Victoria Kinney, Kyle Roeth, Kaylee Schaefer, and Rick Thimmes. All are past chapter officers and 2011 graduates of Miami East High School.  Their leadership in the Miami East FFA Chapter will be missed.

Victoria Kinney is the daughter of Robert and Lora Kinney of Piqua. She is the past president and secretary of the Miami East FFA. She has participated in public speaking and food science contests. She has attended FFA Camp and State Convention.  Her Supervised Experience Program consists of market goats and market chickens. She plans on attending Ohio University and majoring in Education.

Kyle Roeth is the son of Mark and Paula Roeth of Troy. He has earned his State FFA Degree because of his strong Supervised Agricultural Experience program, Roeth’s Beef. He has attended FFA Camp and competed in the general livestock judging contest.… Continue reading

The week of State Convention is finally here! I have been anxiously awaiting State Convention since March 19^th when I placed as a top speech finalist in the Senior Prepared speaking contest.  The placings   will be announced on stage with the 1^st place winner presenting his or her speech in front of the entire convention. I have been striving  to present my speech on the big stage since freshman year when I watched another FFA member receive the honor. I have been presenting my speech a couple times a week to be ready if they call my name for 1^st place. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

My FFA chapter is also putting the last minute touches on our agenda for the trip. We will be taking a tour of the Crew Stadium where we will learn about the turf industry and what it takes to prepare the field for a soccer game.… Continue reading

On Sunday April 10, the Fort Loramie FFA held their annual awards banquet. Attendees enjoyed a meal before the banquet. With more than 140 people in attendance, awards were given out for the year’s achievements. Numerous FFA members were awarded for participation in Career Development Events.

Twenty-seven first year members received their Greenhand FFA Degrees, and 12 second-year members earned their Chapter FFA degrees. Three students will receive their State FFA Degree at the Ohio FFA Convention in May, including Dustin Schemmel, Ben Barhorst, and Doug Seger. Six students will receive their American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention in October, including Jacob Meyer, Tyler Magoto, Nathan Holthaus, Beth Poeppelman, Kyle Poeppelman, and Guy Meinerding. Two members received district proficiency awards. Brandon Barlage earned 2nd place in the district in Beef Production and Doug Seger earned 1st place in the district in Swine Production and has been named a state finalist.… Continue reading

Out of the 365 days of the year, these are the two that we look forward to the most.

State FFA Convention.

Each year, there are things there that we look forward to. For me, that would be stealing who-knows-how-many peanuts and oranges from the Florida booth in the Career Show. And the cheese from the fundraiser stand (can you tell I love food?) and a strawberry-banana smoothie.

And more awesome than the food are the people! We all know and love those chapter members who aren’t afraid to be loud and proud during sessions. Whether you’re sitting in the nosebleed section of the Celeste center or right in front of the stage, the pre-session music and the tunnels are sure to get everyone worked up.

This year is going to be, without a doubt, my busiest convention yet. I’m opening the first session with the National Anthem, participating in State FFA Choir, competing in the Talent Show, and singing another song before the third session.… Continue reading

The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA chapter recently had many teams excel in various Career Development Events (CDEs) at the State level. Teams that place in the top 5 in the state earn award banners that are displayed in the school. This year, the chapter has earned more high placing banners than any other year in chapter history. Some of the most recent successes are highlighted below.

The Agricultural Issues Forum team placed 1st at State, recently competing at Wilmington College. This CDE has been available at the National level for a few years but this was Ohio’s first time offering it. If our chapter is still in place next fall, this team will go to the National FFA Convention to compete. The team members were Hannah Chenetski, Caitlin Robinson, Sierra Jepsen, Kayla Porter, and Kelsie Sharp. We would like to commend these young ladies on this outstanding accomplishment.

The Nature Interpretation team, with the team of record consisting of Nick Brumfield, Michael Hite, Aaron Miller, and Alex Norris, recently their State contest also.… Continue reading

On Thursday, April 21st, the Miami Trace FFA held their annual banquet at Miami Trace High School.  The banquet is held every year to recognize members, advisors, parents, and other community members that helped make the last year such a success.  Many members were also recognized for having numerous achievements throughout the year.

Seniors Ben Hisey, Aaron Sollars, and Terry Perkins served as toastmasters for the banquet and assisted in presenting numerous awards. Retiring treasurer Aaron Sollars gave the welcome followed by Junior Emily Ratliff, with the introduction of guests.  Freshmen Evan Schaefer and Nicole Straathof introduced parents. The invocation was given by Senior Autumn Carlson to all attending the banquet meal, which was catered by McCoy’s catering of Wilmington, Ohio. After dinner, guest speaker Amy Frost, Ohio FFA President, spoke to all in attendance.

Many scholarships were presented to senior FFA members.  Alumni president, Dale Mayer, and alumni secretary, Robin Beekman, presented the FFA Alumni scholarships to deserving seniors.… Continue reading

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”

The past three years I have watched FFA members across Ohio come together as a team to serve the Ohio FFA Association as state officers. These individuals do not get glory or recognition because of their prestigious position, but because of the difference they have made in the lives of others and the organization.

FFA has held a special place in my life. I will never forget the trips to national convention, standing in unpleasant weather while attempting to judge a soil pit, or anxiously waiting before participating in a public speaking contest. The FFA has helped me reach my infinite potential, and for that I am very grateful.

I am exited for this year’s state convention because my dream of becoming a state officer might become a reality, opening yet another chapter in my FFA career. I was honored to be placed on the District 5 President’s ballot.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

While the professionals at Crop Production Services got to learn more about protecting water quality through the process of the recent pilot project at their Washington Courthouse site, local FFA students had the chance to learn as well.

Around 50 students from the Adena and Miami Trace chapters got to learn about the process and help plant more than 500 trees. The students were briefed on the pan system that filters the storm water runoff from the site through a series of holding ponds filled with and surrounded by the hybrid poplar and willow trees they planted.

“It gives the students an experience to apply some of the things they learned in the classroom. It also gives them some ownership in a project that they can see for years down the road and what benefits it has for this particular community,” said Jim Skinner, the FFA advisor at Adena.… Continue reading

Those interested in helping the Ohio FFA Camp after the recent loss of their Nature Center due to fire can contribute via PayPal at this link. They  are accepting monetary tax deductible donations at this time. You can help by sending a check or cash to camp with Nature Center Fund written in the memo section. A letter will be sent for tax purposes.… Continue reading

“Strive to be successful all the time!” is the mantra the Versailles FFA Chapter truly believes in. This outstanding chapter continues to raise the bar higher each year with its many events that benefit their members, school and community. Twice named the No. 1 chapter in Ohio, the Versailles FFA Chapter divides its 100 members into committees to allow each student a part in striving for education and success.

Each year begins with an officer retreat in June. Armed with icebreakers, mixers, snacks and notes from last year, the new officer team and their advisor, Dena Wuebker, sit down to plan the upcoming year. They evaluate last year’s success in order to plan the upcoming year’s goals and events. Together they set chapter goals, and each officer sets personal goals for the upcoming year.

The school year begins with the Versailles FFA Chapter inviting Greenhand members from across Ohio to their annual Greenhand Conference.… Continue reading

Syngenta Crop Protection announced a donation of $10,000 to members of the National FFA Organization, signifying the completion of the 2011 Heartland Laser Tour. Ten local FFA chapters assisted Syngenta at laser light show events held March 3 through March 27 that featured the science behind Plant Performance. Each chapter is receiving a donation of $1,000 for its participation.

“The students were able to interact with Syngenta representatives to learn more about the company and possible career opportunities,” said Olivia Clark, FFA advisor for Christian County High School in Hopkinsville, Ky. “The donation from Syngenta will help with FFA events such as funding to participate in contests, the annual member-parent banquet and other events held throughout the year.”

The purpose of the Heartland Laser Tour is about sharing the science behind Plant Performance and agriculture. “The FFA students are the future of agriculture and ambassadors to the 98 percent of the population not involved in our industry,” said Wendell Calhoun, Syngenta communication manager.… Continue reading

Students from the Miami East FFA Chapter had the tables turned for a day when they became teachers at Miami East Elementary School on Friday, April 15. Seven sophomore students enrolled in Agriscience 2 were trained in Project WILD earlier in April and then prepared half hour lessons to educate first graders about wildlife.

The goal of Project WILD is to assist learners of any age in developing the awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment upon which all life depends. Linda Raterman of the Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District was responsible for the training and lesson development the FFA members went through.

Corrine Melvin and Sarah Pyers played “Animal Charades” to teach about domesticated and wild animals with Mrs. Demmit’s class.

“Quick Frozen Critters” was a fast, freeze tag game to help learn about predators and prey.… Continue reading