FFA News

The Northwestern FFA Agriculture Sales team competed in the district competition on February, 23 2021. The career development event was held virtually this year through zoom. The members that competed were Ava Stoller, Desi Smith, Jadeyn Berry, and Dugan Mclaughlin. The members had to conduct a formal sales call selling this year’s product of livestock gates used in cattle production. Members also compete in a team activity where they work together to develop the pre-call plan where they identify potential questions the customer may have. The team placed 1st in the district and will move on to state that will be held virtually on March 13th. Congratulations to the team and to the best of luck at the state competition.… Continue reading

With over 150 members in the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter, seven are elected each year to represent the chapter as officers. This year 30 members were eligible to run for office, and 11 members completed the application process, which included a virtual interview by the nominating committee. To become an officer of the A-C FFA chapter, you must have earned the Chapter FFA Degree and you must also plan on enrolling in an agriculture education course at A-C next year.  The election took place February 22, 2021 in the High School Cafetorium.

This year, two juniors and five sophomores were elected to serve. The 2021-2022 officer team as elected are: Sara Sharp (junior) as President, Hannah Saum (sophomore) as Vice President, Karlee Parry (sophomore) as Secretary, Emily Buckly (sophomore) as Treasurer, A.J. Dossman (junior) as Reporter, Alex Williams (sophomore) as Sentinel, and Josie Speakman (sophomore) as Student Advisor.

As President, Sharp runs each monthly meeting, and represents the chapter in a number of functions, including school board meetings.… Continue reading

By Kyla Stockdale, chapter co-reporter

Over this past week the River Valley FFA Chapter had lots of fun celebrating National FFA Week. For our celebrations we had many different games and trivia questions planned. Our chapter members can earn points throughout the week which can give them the chance to win some super cool FFA gear like sweatshirts, water bottles, and shirts. Some of the games we played included minute to win it balloon games, turkey bowling, butter carving, and gaga ball. Our chapter members had a blast this week and we couldn’t have asked for a better FFA week. We are already looking forward to next year because we know it’ll be even more exciting than this year.

By Kyla Stockdale, chapter co-reporter

Last week we had the 8th graders at River Valley Middle School come over to the high school so that they could get a taste of what all we do in the ag department. When they came over, it was during FFA week so they actually got to participate in turkey bowling as well. While visiting our advisor went through everything our classes do and even showed them some things that we’ve been working on. The 8th graders right now have been doing some pretty cool things in the middle school this year, including incubating and hatching their own chicks. We are so excited to hopefully be seeing them this upcoming school year because we know they will make some great addition to our chapter. … Continue reading

The Norwayne FFA celebrated National FFA Week February 22-26 this year with lots of fun events. Monday the chapter started building food pantry boxes (a project sponsored by the Romich Foundation) that will be placed around the Creston community. Throughout the week, members painted and assembled the boxes. On Wednesday, the chapter held its annual Degree Ceremonies during the school day. This year, 29 members received their Discovery Degree, 17 members received their Greenhand Degrees, and 10 members received their Chapter Degrees. Following the ceremonies, members celebrated with pizza and ice cream in the ag room. FFA members also celebrated their advisor, Ms. VanTyne, who was announced as a top 10 finalist for the Golden Owl Award. Thursday, the chapter hosted its annual luncheon for Norwayne staff. This year’s Tractor Day will be held Friday, March 5.

Norwayne FFA held its annual Feed-a-Farmer lunch on Monday, February 15. The lunch was held at the former Creston Middle School, now known as the Creston Community Building. Many of the people invited to participate in the lunch were farmers and their families local to the community and Norwayne school district. Norwayne FFA members assembled take-out meals consisting of burgers, hotdogs, macaroni and cheese, and desserts before the event and handed them out to farmers from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. that day. Norwayne kindergarteners also created “thank you” pictures to pass out to the farmers with their meals. This is a well-known event to the farmers of the community, and the FFA chapter loves supporting them and giving thanks for their hard work. … Continue reading

On Tuesday, February 23rd, 5 West Holmes FFA members participated in the District Ag Sales contest. The contest consists of a team activity and an individual sale. Members of the team gather before the individual sale to formulate a plan to sell the product and discuss connections they could make with the customer. The team was charged with selling metal livestock gates this year.  The team placed 2nd in the district, individually Ashley Tate was 2nd in the district with a score of 164. Cora Crilow was 5th in the district with a score of 153. Jayme Pennell was 7th in the district with a score of 147.5. Alysa Pringle scored a 126 and Garrett Houin scored an 89. In a normal year the team would have qualified to compete in the state competition, but due to COVID restrictions only the first place teams in each district advanced to state. … Continue reading

 In recent weeks, the Milton-Union MVCTC FFA chapter officers have been working hard to submit their officer books. Each officer book takes lots of time and dedication to achieve the high standings and ratings our officers received this year. The Treasurer, Tyler Kress, must receive, record and deposit FFA funds and issue receipts as well as maintain neat and accurate treasurer records. The Reporter, Kelsie Tomlinson, must plan public information programs with newspapers and other service clubs to help tell the story of FFA. She also serves as the chapter photographer to help maintain a chapter scrapbook. The Secretary, Taylor Falb, must prepare and post the agenda for each meeting, be responsible for chapter correspondence, and maintain member attendance. Congratulations to all three officers for all receiving gold ratings on their officer books. These three worked incredibly hard to keep records and submit record books for the Treasurer’s, Reporter’s, and Secretary’s books this year!… Continue reading

The Mach 2021 Miami East-MVCTC FFA Member of the Month is Fletcher Harris. He is the son of Jeffrey and Susie Harris. He is a freshman and first year member of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter.

Fletcher recently participated in the County and District FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Events. He placed second in the county event and fifth overall in the district. Fletcher is the co-chair and an active member of the Agricultural Advocacy Program of Activities Committee. Fletcher’s Supervised Agricultural Experience consists of a raising and showing market hogs at the county fair.

Every month of the school year the Miami East-MVCTC FFA will select a student to be the FFA Member of the Month.  The officer team will nominate one member that has been actively involved in the FFA chapter, school and community activities.  If selected, the member will be recognized at the monthly FFA meeting, have their picture displayed in the Miami East Ag Room, and will receive a special accolade in celebration of their accomplishment.… Continue reading

The Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter recently competed in the District 5 Evaluations of the Ohio FFA Association held virtually.  Several members of the chapter dedicated numerous hours on developing and growing on their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) records to prepare their applications for awards and degrees.

Three 2020-21 Chapter Officers that submitted books for review. Carter Gilbert submitted the Secretary’s Book and earned a gold rating. Paige Pence submitted the Treasurer’s Book and earned a gold rating. Libby Carpenter submitted the Reporter’s Book and earned a gold rating. All three will be recognized at the State FFA Convention in April.

Graduates Elizabeth Bair, Michael Bair, Ethin Bendickson, Luke Gilliland, Savannah Holzen, and Kearsten Kirby applied for the American FFA Degree for their outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience and overall FFA involvement. Their applications were reviewed and will be evaluated at the state evaluations. 

Seniors Erin Baker, Sarah Blocher, Carter Gilbert, Jimmy Sutherly, and Seth Wells applied for the State FFA Degree.… Continue reading

Recently several members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter competed in the District 5 FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event hosted virtually by Houston High School.

The Agricultural Sales team consisted of Isaac Beal, Ashlee Deaton, Megan Gilliland, and Thomas Wallace. The team members each completed a test on agricultural sales, prepared a team sales presentation, and demonstrated their ability to sell an agricultural product.  

Megan Gilliland was the highest placing individual from Miami East. The team placed eighth out of 12 teams.  … Continue reading

By Jadeyn Berry, chapter reporter

The Northwestern FFA Chapter has had another successful year selling sausage.  On Saturday, Jan. 30, members gathered at Heffelfinger Meats Inc. to make the sausage. Along with several community members such as Dan Fulk, Erica Baier, Brian Bowers, Ken Burrer, Lynn Bridenstine, and Brad Stull, alumni such as Becca Harbaugh, Rachelle Coffman, Debbie Eberly, Phil Eberly, Tyler Bowers, Kaitlyn Praisler, teachers such as Mr. Myers and Ms. Fincham and members such as Jadeyn Berry, Melanie Imhoff, and Desi Smith helped with making sausage.

The chapter would like to extend their gratitude to Rick Heffelfinger and HMI for supporting the chapter with this fundraiser. This year the chapter sold a little more than 3,230 pounds of sausage. Northwestern FFA would like to thank the community for their support during this fundraiser, as well as those who came and helped with making the sausage. … Continue reading

On February 16th, 4 West Holmes FFA members participated in the District 2 speaking contest hosted virtually by Bellevue and Plymouth. Jayme Pennell participated in the Extemporaneous speaking, which is when you are given a topic and research it for 30 minutes, then form a speech which must be 4-6 minutes in length, Jayme received 1st. Garrett Hoiun participated in prepared speaking which is a 6-8 minute long speech over an agricultural-related topic, Garrett received 2nd place. Becca Schuch participated in the beginning prepared, which is a 4-6 minute long speech about an agricultural-related topic. Becca was 1st in her division. Emily Sheely participated in the creed speaking contest, where she recited the FFA Creed and answered questions about it, Emily received 3rd place. Jayme will be competing at the state competition on March 6th!

On February 9th, 4 West Holmes FFA members participated in the Sub-District speaking contest. Jayme Pennell participated in exempt speaking and was 2nd.… Continue reading

By Messina Reesman, Chapter Reporter 2021

On February 16^th, Amber Bowering of the Bellevue FFA competed in the extemporaneous public speaking contest of the District 2 FFA Virtual Public Speaking Contest.

Amber, who qualified by winning first in the sub-district, drew her topic, researched and prepared her speech, and was then ushered in front of a panel of 3 judges.  At the close of a close competition, Amber finished 3^rd in the district contest.… Continue reading

Snow, wind, cold temperatures and COVID couldn’t stop the Zane Trace FFA Chapter and Adult Farmers Club from holding their annual Sausage Breakfast on Friday, February 5^th at Zane Trace High School. During the week leading up to the event FFA members came to the ZT Cafeteria kitchen on a snow day to cut, season and grind meat from eight hogs that were purchased from Bay’s Food Market in Lancaster. Members of the ZT Adult Farmers club and Zane Trace Cafeteria staff instructed and assisted them in this task. The members then stuffed the sausage into casings and rolled them into links the next day.

On Friday, February 5th forty-five members of the chapter were involved in preparing and serving the sausage along with pancakes, coffee and orange juice to community members who attended the breakfast. This year due to COVID protocols, the members offered a drive through lane for meals in addition to the usual carry out and sit down options.… Continue reading

It has been a tough, stressful few years for the farming, and our youth are not immune to the stressors affecting their families. Living through a pandemic has also changed the way our youth our being asked to live, adding many unknowns to their lives.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio State University Extension want to reach out to our FFA members and their families to get the conversation started about how stress affects how we live, love, laugh, and play and offer available resources for mental wellness. Jami Dellifield, a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator and an experienced mental health educator, and Katie Boyer, a communications specialist, designed a 40- to 80-minute program for youth and would welcome the opportunity to present it to FFA chapters (during the school day or for an evening event).

The discussion-based presentation will cover:

• Identifying signs and symptoms of stress  
• How to speak to a friend or family member 
• Resources available for help.

Recently the Miami County and District 5 FFA Public Speaking Career Development Events were held. The County competition was held Wednesday, February 3, hosted by the Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua. Miami County FFA Chapters participating included Bradford, Covington, Miami East, Milton Union, Newton, and Upper Valley Career Center. The top two speakers in each category advanced to the district competition.

The District 5 FFA Public Speaking Contest was held Wednesday, February 4. It was held virtually and coordinated by Versailles High School. District 5 consists of schools from Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties.

FFA members competing in the FFA Creed Speaking Event memorized and recited the FFA Creed and answered questions on their interpretation of the FFA Creed. This contest is open to first year members only. Representing Miami East-MVCTC were Fletcher Harris and Alaina Helsinger. Helsinger placed third in the county. Harris placed second and advanced to the district competition where he placed fifth.… Continue reading

Recently, the junior and senior FFA members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter competed in the Ohio FFA Grain Merchandising Career Development Event of Grain Merchandising.

The Grain Merchandising event consisted of an online test which evaluated participant’s knowledge of grain merchandising options for farmers and past and current grain marketing trends. 

The team placed 3rd out over 40 teams in the state. Team members were Lauren Wright, Isabella Waite, Samuel Sutherly, and Gretchen Stevens. The team earned a banner for the Miami East Agriculture Classroom. The highest individual from Miami East was Lauren Wright. Lauren was the first place individual in the state out of 303 individuals.  

Members taking the test were Lauren Wright, Isabella Waite, Samuel Sutherly, Gretchen Stevens, Rylee Puthoff, Libby Carpenter, Seth Wells, Sarah Blocher, Katie Larson, Anthony Putnam, Evan Massie, Erin Baker, Paige Pence, Brayden Ingle, Makayla Brittain, Morgan Nosker, Leann Vernon, Anna Broerman, Meadow Powers, Adam Bensman, Carter Gilbert, Kaitlyn Roop, Chloe Gump, Jimmy Sutherly and Emma Sutherly.… Continue reading

The February 2021 Miami East-MVCTC FFA Member of the Month is Gretchen Stevens. She is a junior and third year member of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter. Her parents are Nathaniel and Janet Stevens of Troy

Gretchen has excelled in Career Development Events thus far this school year. She placed 3rd in the District 5 FFA Job Interview competition and was a member of the Grain Merchandising team that placed 3rd in the state. She has also participated in the Wildlife Management and Food Science and Technology events. Her Supervised Agricultural Experiences consists of making and marketing dog chew toys.

Every month of the school year the Miami East-MVCTC FFA will select a student to be the FFA Member of the Month.  The officer team will nominate one member that has been actively involved in the FFA chapter, school and community activities.  If selected, the member will be recognized at the monthly FFA meeting, have their picture displayed in the Miami East Ag Room, and will receive a special accolade in celebration of their accomplishment.… Continue reading