FFA News

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The Third Session featured Chapter Awards, proficiency awards and an insightful keynote presentation from Juanfran DeVillena. Photos by Allison Kinney and Devan Foster.

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By Bethany Starlin, OCJ FFA reporter

For many, spring time represents new beginnings, positive growth and excitement for the summer ahead. For FFA members across the state, however, it encompasses the celebration of the end of another year in the blue jacket. 

Each May, FFA members, advisors and supporters travel to Columbus to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments over the past year. State degrees are earned, proficiency awards are given and Career Development Event competition teams are recognized for their successes.

Although relatively short in length, the two days spent at state convention are often a defining moment in many FFA members’ careers. 

“If you ask FFA members, current or past, what the moment was when they got their initial spark for FFA, I think many of them would say it was either a state or national convention,” said Katy Endsley, Ohio FFA Program Manager. “The collective energy in the room, feeling the excitement from the people around you and seeing students recognized on stage really sets the tone for the rest of their FFA career.”… Continue reading

We’re back with our 10th class of Student FFA Reporters after COVID-19 benched the program. They’ll be covering the Ohio FFA State Convention May 5-6 in Columbus. We asked them to introduce themselves to our readers below.

Devan Foster

Hello everyone! My name is Devan Foster and I am a sophomore at Allen East High School. There, I am one of our two reporters for the Allen East FFA chapter. Along with the FFA, I love to stay involved in several other groups as well. I am part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, French Club, French Honors Society, Varsity Cheerleading, Class President, and I am the treasurer of my 4-H club. Within my FFA Chapter, I love trying new things and partaking in as many contests as I can. My first two years in the FFA have provided me with more experience and memories than I could have ever imagined.… Continue reading

On April 12th, the Twin Valley South-MVCTC FFA Outdoor Power team of Eithan Campbell, Jacob Ditton and Ryan McRill competed in the District 5 CDE at Upper Valley CC. They competed as a team to troubleshoot a lawn mower, as well as individuals on 9 different practicums related to small engines, including oil, tool and parts ID, specs and manual use. The team did a great job and placed 5th in the district.———————————————————————————————————–
The Twin Valley South-MVCTC FFA Animal Management team placed 8th out of 28 teams at the State Animal Management CDE contest on April 13th in Columbus. Contestants were asked to do species identification, nutritional assessments, and habitat evaluations of over 100 types of small animals. TVS’s team was made up of Lynnlee Voge, Maggie Hoover, Myleigh Lakes, and Elliott Voge. Bekah Sunvold also competed in the contest. Lynnlee scored high for the team, placing 9th overall individual out of 109 students.… Continue reading

On April 11th, 2022 the West Holmes FFA members participated in the District 2 Outdoor Power contest. Our teams placed 5th, 12th, and 13th. Individually Logan VanSickle was 6th, Wyatt Myers was 13th, John Maloney was 19th, Wyatt Schlauch was 23rd, Jimmy Lesiak was 25th, Kalan Bowling 28th, Maison Carter 30th, Grant Miller was 31st, and Adam Mast was 36th. The contest includes troubleshooting, tools, fastener, and parts ID, reading an electrical diagram, and using the JD parts lookup system, and equipment pre-check activity. Thank you to Ag Pro Millersburg for hosting! … Continue reading

On Wednesday, April 13, 2022 several members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter participated in the Ohio FFA State Animal Care Career Development Events. All teams began the competition by taking an online general knowledge test then qualifying for the state finals. The state finals were hosted at the Ohio Expo Center.
In the Animal Behavior, Welfare and Husbandry Career Development Event the team consisted of Wyatt Black, Rhylee Eichhorn, Haley Barnes, and Haley Lane with alternate Abigail Maxson. The team placed fifth in the state and earned a banner for the agriculture classroom. The highest placing individual from Miami East was Wyatt Black. He placed 16th. The state finals competition consisted of a team animal enrichment building activity and practicums for live and virtual animal care audits.
In the Animal Management Career Development Event Karley Prosser placed 7th individually out of 109 individuals. She identified breeds and equipment of various small animal species.… Continue reading

The West Holmes FFA Chapter held their March meeting on March 21, 2022. Members participated in an Easter Egg Hunt during the meeting. The meeting took place in the commons of the school and was brought to order by President Cora Crilow. Opening Ceremonies were held. Officer reports were given. Olivia Gerber moved and Ally Ogi seconded to recess for 10 minutes. Motion passed. Committee reports were given after the recess. New Business, Grant Miller moved and Jenna Sheldon seconded to host and participate in the trap shoot on April 23rd and pay for supplies. Motion passed. Garrett Fowler moved and Lexy Starner seconded to pay for supplies for the banquet. Motion passed. Andi Schuch moved and Gabby Yates seconded to donate all proceeds from the silent auction at the banquet to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Motion passed. Maria Steiner moved and Blazedyn Mullins seconded to pay for supplies for the Ag mechanics contest.… Continue reading

On April 6th, West Holmes FFA helped the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District with their annual tree sale packing at Harvest Ridge. Members went to the fairgrounds and helped sort and pack trees. They packed and sorted approximately 8,000 trees for 135 customers. The most popular tree was the Norway Spruce and second White Oak. Members who helped with tree packing were Gabe Averbukh, Dyllan Bender, Kalan Bowling, Maison Carter, Cora Crilow, Maren Drzazga, Garrett Fowler, Garrett Houin, Kadan McDougale, Derek Miller, Grant Miller, Pacee Miller, Ally Ogi, Alex Pringle, Alysa Pringle, Leah Reining, Andi Schuch, Becca Schuch, Jenna Sheldon, Chloe Shumaker, Ashley Tate, and Gabby Yates. … Continue reading

On Saturday March 5th, West Holmes FFA members competed at the Marysville judging invitational. The poultry team placed 14th. Individually Becca Schuch was 60th, Dakotah Ringwalt was 61st, and Alysa Pringle was 90th. The poultry contest consists of three placing classes of hens, broilers, and ready to cook carcasses. They grade carcasses and the interior and exterior of eggs. Alex Pringle competed in the general livestock contest and individually placed 111th out of 623 individuals.
On Saturday February 26th, West Holmes FFA members competed at the ATI judging event. The general livestock teams placed 4th and 18th. Individually Casey Ogi was 3rd, Andi Schuch was 13th, Ethan Feikert was 26th, Derek Miller was 74th, Cora Crilow was 80th, Hayden Smith was 111th, Alex Pringle was 133rd, Jenna Sheldon was 161st, and Maren Drzazga was 196th. The general livestock contest consists of evaluating livestock based on muscle quality, and structural soundness. They also take a general knowledge test.… Continue reading

Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) Diesel and Power Technology students competed in the FFA State Ag Mechanics Career Development Event (CDE) at The Ohio State University ATI campus at Wooster. The team of Eyan Hackler (Ansonia), Jacob Prasuhn (Ansonia), and Owen Stephens (Arcanum-Butler) won the state contest.

The Ag Mechanics CDE requires team members to demonstrate 10 skills from a master list of skills, including soldering, tubing flaring, MIG welding, electrical wire harness diagnostics, micrometer and caliper use, fluid ID, diesel fuel injector testing, and connecting wire terminals to make a wire connection.

According to the Ohio FFA website, “Agricultural Education CDE’s are educational activities that are organized and conducted by the Ohio Department of Education, Office of Career-Technical Education, Agricultural Education. They are designed to assess student competence in business and industry verified occupational skills, as detailed in the Agricultural and Environmental Content Standards. CDEs are a motivating force that stimulates occupational interests in and personal development of high school students enrolled in school-based agricultural education programs.”… Continue reading

Students from the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter had the tables turned for a day when they became teachers at Miami East Elementary School on Friday, April 8.  21 second-year students enrolled in Plant and Animal Sciences were trained in Project WILD earlier in April and then prepared 20 minute lessons to educate Kindergarten and first-grade classrooms about wildlife and wildlife habitats.  
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. Ms. Linda Raterman of the Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District was responsible for the training and lesson development the FFA members went through.  
Several groups played “Animal Charades” to teach about domesticated and wild animals. McKayah Musselman, Ty Roeth, and Kaden Weldy visited Miss Chelsea Black’s classroom. Reagan Howell, Abigail Kadel, and Ava Prince taught Mrs.… Continue reading

 The April 2022 Miami East-MVCTC FFA Members of the Month are Wyatt Black, Haley Lane, Abigail Maxson and Connor Maxson. They are all first year FFA members that have excelled in various activities and leadership positions within the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter.

Wyatt Black is the son of Kris and Becky Black. Wyatt is a Top 4 finalist in the Ohio FFA State Agriscience Fair. Wyatt is also a member of the Animal Welfare & Behavior Career Development Event.

Haley Lane is the daughter of Sidney and Nicole Lane. Haley is a member of the Leadership Committee and was essential in the development of the recognition of various leaders within the chapter.

Abigail Maxson is the daughter of Scott and Katrina Maxson. Abigail was a key leader of the Career Success Committee in both of their semester activities. Recently, she helped with the break-out style activity at a monthly meeting for all the FFA members.… Continue reading

On Thursday, April 7, the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter held a Seatbelt Awareness Activity. As students exited the parking lot at Miami East High School, the drivers were stopped and their seatbelts were checked. 

All student drivers were inspected for wearing their seatbelt. They received the candy of “Smarties” candies and reminded that, “Those that wear seatbelts are Smarties.” Any student drivers or passengers not wearing their seatbelts were instructed to put on their seatbelt immediately.

Results of the event proved that a majority of the drivers at Miami East High School do wear their seatbelt. Over 60 drivers and passengers were presented candy with 5.0% of drivers were not wearing their seatbelt. Worse results as were collected last fall when 6.1% of drivers were not wearing their seatbelt.

The first seatbelt was in a Volvo vehicle in 1849. On February 15, 1885, the seatbelt patent was given to Edward J.… Continue reading

Five of the chapter members competed in three Livestock Judging Career Development Events this year. The livestock judging CDE consists of the evaluation of sheep, goats, cattle, and swine for soundness, marketability, and desired breeding characteristics. Our team was made up of: Freshman, KayeLee Sowers; Sophomore, Meadow Gabbard; and Juniors, Allyson Stinson, Jennifer Riquelme, and Tyler Kress.… Continue reading