FFA News

The Zane Trace FFA Chapter held their annual parent-member recognition banquet on Thursday, May 12^th at 6:00 pm in the Zane Trace High School Cafetorium.  During the evening over 325 guests enjoyed a covered dish dinner including fried chicken and celebrated the success of the members of the chapter throughout the year.   The program began with a chapter year in review slideshow featuring activities including the sausage breakfast, national convention trip and leadership night.  Next, the chapter officers presented awards to members for participation in fruit sales, career development events, proficiency awards, agriscience fair and PALS lessons.

After this segment of the program, members who earned the Greenhand and Chapter degrees were given their pins and certificates.  Chapter advisors Jennifer Johnston and Gary Peters then presented the Star awards to students.  The Star Greenhand award went to Eva Bugg, the Star in Placement to Chelsi Hempstead, the Star in Agriscience to Sarah Cox and the Star Farmer award went to Heather Yeater.… Continue reading

Thirty-one members of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter recently attended the Ohio FFA Convention held at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on May 5 and 6. This proved to be another successful year for the group as several members received recognition for their work throughout the year. On Thursday evening, David Glass received first place in the Food Science Proficiency award area. David earned this award based on his research on protein formation and fruit enzymes. On Friday Chelsi Hempstead and Danielle George were honored as Gold rated officers for their efforts as Treasurer and Reporter of the chapter. Nick Ganus and Sarah Cox were also recognized for their excellence in the Agriscience Student of the Year competition. Nick received second runner-up and Sarah first runner-up honors in the award area.
Additional honors in Agriscience were received by chapter members who received Gold ratings on their research projects in the State Agriscience Fair.… Continue reading

Mechanicsburg FFA in will be honored with a $3,000 prize for winning the Grand Champion first-place award in the Weeding out Hunger^™ with Halex^® GT FFA Video Challenge, sponsored by Syngenta. Mechanicsburg FFA competed against FFA chapters nationwide to become a finalist in the competition.

South Central High School FFA in Greenwich, Ohio, received a $500 prize for most original entry.

Contest details

This is the first year Syngenta has hosted the Weeding out Hunger FFA Video Challenge. In January, National FFA chapters were invited to upload a short video through the Weeding out Hunger Facebook page describing the importance of FFA and agriculture in their community, and in providing for the food, fiber, fuel and feed needs of the nation.

After online voting and judging from a select panel including Syngenta, FFA and agricultural media representatives, Mechanicsburg FFA was chosen to receive the top prize. Students who participated in the video challenge will be rewarded with a pizza party on May 26 where Luke Lathan, local Syngenta sales representative, and Carroll Moseley, Syngenta herbicide brand manager will present the check.… Continue reading

By: Stacie Seger

When we wake up in the morning, we have two simple choices. Go back to sleep and dream, or wake up and chase those dreams. The choice is yours…

The first session opened The 83^rd Ohio FFA Convention by challenging its members to find their infinite potential and chase their dreams. Chad Hymas, the Keynote Speaker for the 1st session, reminded Ohio FFA members that good decisions can help them accomplish their goals, and bad decisions can leave them crushed for life.

At the age of 27, the aspiring elk rancher endured a farm accident that would instantaneously change the rest of his life. Chad had recently purchases 40 head of bull elk and was finishing up the evening jobs when his wife Shondell called to ask him to hurry home to see their little son take his first steps. Little did he know the day his son would take his first steps would be the day Chad took his last.… Continue reading

By: Stacie Seger

As an FFA member himself, the Keynote Speaker for the 3^rd Session felt very passionate about our organization. Rick Metzeger raised rabbits for his SAE, served as a chapter and state officer, and is still very active in the National and Ohio FFA Alumnus. Rick first found his ability to speak when his Ag teacher encouraged him to try the extemporaneous speaking contest. Rick reminded the 83^rd Ohio FFA Convention that “This organization constantly taught me how to learn” and that we must recognize the same opportunity we have been giving. Potential, passion, and passionate were Rick’s three “Big P’s” he emphasized to the FFA members.

Rick first declared that we must have a target in life. Bringing Ellen Gilliland, 2010-2011 District 4 President, to the stage, Rick taught Ellen to use the imaginary targets in front of her to learn how to judge. Ellen struggled a couple times to connect the sequence correctly, and we laughed when she dropped the balled.… Continue reading

The Felicity-Franklin FFA Chapter was named number nine in the State!… Continue reading

Over 40 members of the Felicity-Franklin FFA Chapter attended State Convention. 21 members had the privilege of walking across stage!… Continue reading

On May 5 and 6, 13 members of the Riverdale FFA traveled to Columbus, OH to participate in the 83^rd State FFA Convention.  The group toured the Anthony Thomas chocolate factory and the Ohio State University’s Meat Labs where the students learned about the chocolate making process and meat processing.  Following dinner with members of the New Bremen FFA, both groups went to Magic Mountain Fun Centers where they enjoyed fun activities such as go-karts and laser-tag.  Members were involved in a leadership activity which allowed them to trade ideas for chapter activities with other chapters from around the state.  Members of the Riverdale FFA went to four sessions where they listened to the presentation of FFA awards, inspirational messages from keynote speakers, Chad Hymas and Rick Metzger, as well as watched two of their own members, Jennie Walter and Ty Horn, received their State Degrees.… Continue reading

Each year the FFA secretary, treasurer, and reporter are required to compile officer books of their notations and pictures of various meetings and events dealing with their chapter. This year, these three Liberty-Benton FFA officers sent their pieces of work to the District 4 FFA Evaluation for judging.  Liberty-Benton FFA Secretary Amber Overmyer received an honorable mention for her officer book.  FFA Treasurer Zoe DeMarco received a silver rating for her officer book.  Furthermore, Reporter Ashley Currie received an honorable mention for her reporter’s scrapbook.  In addition to these officer books being evaluated, Destiny Adams’ and Keith Van Horn’s State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree applications advanced to State FFA Evaluation.  Keith Van Horn’s application for the Ohio and American Star in Ag Placement also advanced to this next level.  District 4 FFA Evaluation took place February 11 at The Ohio State University – Lima Branch Campus.… Continue reading

The sun was shining and the temperature was high. The Bloom Carroll FFA had a great spring day and a great crowd for their Drive One 4 UR School event held in cooperation with Ricart Ford.

“We’ve had a great turnout,” said Brady Kiehl, a Bloom Carroll FFA member. “We had to get in touch with a lot of sponsors, put ads in the local papers and advertise to get the word out, but so far, there have been more people than we thought.”

The event was held outside the high school and Ricart Ford brought several vehicles for visitors to test drive, including a new, blue Mustang that was very popular. For each visitor test drive, Ford made a donation to the Bloom Carroll FFA.

The Chapter was happy with the number of test drives and so was Ricart Ford.

“Bloom Carroll did a great job of getting people in and promoting the event,” said Zane Webb, with Ricart Ford.… Continue reading

With a blink of an eye, two days flew by and I was home unloading my suitcase after another amazing State FFA Convention. Whether I was listening to a session, interviewing a keynote speaker, or chilling with fellow FFA members, I had an active and exciting trip. The two days had me reaching new heights and striving toward infinite potential.

Thursday evening I anxiously waited for the announcement of the winner for the Prepared Speaking   Contest. After hearing my named being called for 1^st place, I remember being rushed off stage, having a microphone and sound pack attached to my jacket, and stepping back into the bright lights. It was the best feeling presenting my speech to the huge crowd. The many hours of hard work I put into the speech were definitely worth it for those 8 minutes on stage. I am eager to enter the next stage of competition – Nationals!… Continue reading

Students of the Tiffin-Sentinel FFA Chapter hosted an Ag Awareness Day to educate local fifth graders about the many facets of Agriculture.  Less than 2% of today’s agriculture industry is production agriculture; therefore, the majority of the population is not involved in farming. FFA members felt the need to educate our youth about the industry. There were nine stations total, some included: Greenhouse Management, Soils, Animals, Ways to Eat Healthy, Crop Science as well as a Hay Ride. All participants had a fun filled day and gained useful information about the Agriculture Industry as well.

“Students really came together to coordinate this service learning project.  I am really proud of each of them and the success of the day.  By conducting service learning projects such as these students gain valuable leadership skills that will last a lifetime,” said FFA Advisor Carrie Schlechter.

FFA is a national organization of more than 450,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.… Continue reading

On Thursday, May 5, 29 members of the Miami East FFA Chapter participated in the State Agriscience Fair in Columbus. Members conducted a science research project related to the agricultural field. They constructed a display board and demonstrated their understanding of the scientific method during an interview. This is the most students that ever participated in this event.

Earning a gold rating and first place were two teams. Both teams qualified for the National Agriscience Fair in October during the National FFA Convention.  Kodey Price and Luke House placed first with their project entitled “Grow Grass Fast” where they tested the germination of growth of grass in different types of soils. Macaleh Thompson and Sarah Pottorf placed first with their project entitled “PETA – Public Education: Topic Agriculture.” They surveyed the students at Miami East High School of their knowledge of production agriculture. They were recognized on stage at the State FFA Convention with a certificate and cash prize.… Continue reading

Student reporters Stacie Seger & Devon Alexander share their thoughts on the 5th and final session of the Ohio FFA Convention.… Continue reading

Meet the State FFA President Jessica Shanahan. Student reporter Stacie Seger spoke to her right after it was announced.… Continue reading

Session 5 was the grandest of them all at the 83rd  Ohio FFA Convention and was highlighted with laughter, recognition of achievements and and few tears. Session 5 included:

* A touching tribute to long Steve Gratz from the many past state officers he worked with through his years of service to the Ohio FFA.

* A dynamite retiring address from State President Amy Jo Frost who encouraged all FFA members to lean on each other for support. She sang with some great backup singers telling the crowd of 6,022 to “Lean on me.”

* LA Comedian turned Highland County farmer Drew Hastings entertained the crowd with his misadventures of a city boy on the farm.

* State FFA Degrees were handed out.

* The new state officer team was announced.

* Excellent performances from the FFA Band and FFA Choir.

 … Continue reading

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President: Jessica Shanahan, Mechanicsburg

Vice President: Brent Stammen, Versailles

Secretary: Benjamin Nething, Southeast

Treasurer: Aaron Miller, Amanda-Clearcreek

Reporter: Caitlyn Black, Bloom Carroll

Sentinel: Shelby Faulkner, A.B. Graham

District 1 President: Caroline Weihl, Otsego

District 2 President: Ryan Roberts, Wellington

District 3 President: Marie Arnold, Smithville

District 4 President: Diana Stacey, Old Fort

District 5 President: Devon Alexander, Anna

District 6 President: Morgan Wade, Buckeye Valley

District 7 President: Sierra Jepsen, Amanda-Clearcreek

District 9 President: A.J. Helterbrand, Hillsboro

District 10 President: Katerine Gaskins, Sheridan

 … Continue reading

Our student reporters Stacie Seger, Eileen Gress & Devon Alexander has the highlights and latest from the 4th session.… Continue reading

The Fourth Session (and the talent show that proceeded it) gave many more Ohio FFA members the opportunity to shine. Here are some highlights:

* The Secretary’s Award

* The Treasurer’s

* The Reporter’s Award

* Tiffany Rogers, the National FFA Eastern Region VP, shared the importance of being yourself.

* The CDE winners were recognized.

• Kathleen Seeley, Benjamin Logan, was named the Agriscience Student of the Year.