The Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter, along with a friendly herd of (plywood) cows, is seeking greener pastures for cows in third world countries. Presently, the FFA members at Miami East High School are soliciting donations for Heifer International. The goal of the Heifer International: Greener Pastures Program is to generate $1,000 that will provide 2 cows ($500 each) to be given to the impoverished families in poor, third world villages. The generous donations of members of the Miami East School Community is making this happen.

The program is designed to have six creatively decorated plywood cows stay a night or two in the yard of a community member. The community member will then make a donation to the FFA’s fundraising program to: 1) have the cows removed, 2) tell the FFA whose yard to put the cows in next, and/or 3) purchase insurance that the cows will not return to their yard or any combination of the three.… Continue reading

In early November, current and alumni members of the Mowrystown FFA served the food at this year’s Bright Elementary Fall Carnival.

Alumnus and members spent the evening serving chili, hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and desserts they had made the day before. The chapter made about $1000 dollars and would like to thank everyone who came and the members for helping.… Continue reading

Several members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter recently competed in the District 5 FFA Job Interview Career Development Event held at Preble Shawnee High School.

The Job Interview Career Development consists of designing a resume and cover letter, completing a job application, performing an interview, and composing a typed follow-up thank you note.

Emily Beal competed in the Division 4 (senior year) interview competition. She placed 2nd in the district. She earned a plaque sponsored by the District 5 FFA Chapters. There were 22 participants.

Katie Bodenmiller competed in the Division 3 (junior year) interview competition. She placed 12th in the district. There were 16 participants.

Emily Thimmes competed in the Division 2 (sophomore year) contest and placed 5th in the district. There were 21 participants.

Kyle Elifritz competed in the Division 1 (freshman year) contest and placed 13th in the district. There were 19 participants.… Continue reading

Three graduate members from the Madison Plains FFA chapter recently received the highest degree attainable in the FFA, the American Degree.

The three were recognized at the 87th annual National FFA Convention in Louisville Kentucky. The Degree requires the recipients to meet specific extensive requirements. This year’s recipients included Roger Mason, Rachel Garrison, and Ethan Fryer. These three members combined made a total community economic impact of $98,000 over their four years of agriculture education. And dedicated over 9,509 hours of their time to their home chapter.

The Madison Plains FFA Chapter is very proud to see its members go so far and would like to congratulate them on their hard work.… Continue reading

Ohio FFA just capped off an incredible year of success at the National FFA Convention with the announcement that Sydney Snider is the 2015-2016 Eastern Region Vice President on the 2015-2016 National FFA Officer Team.

Listen to her comments about national office here:

Sydney Snider full interview on National Officer 11-2-15

Joel Penhorwood caught up with Sydney after she qualified in the top tier of candidates before the final announcement on Saturday. Here is the interview:

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Ohio had an extremely impressive showing in the national Proficiency Awards this year with 24 finalists and nine national winners. This year’s National Proficiency Award winners were:… Continue reading

Brothers Nole and Clay Gerfen from the Ridgemont Chapter are both finalists for National Proficiency awards. Nole is a finalist in Diversified Livestock and Clay in competing in Diversified Agricultural Production. Their projects are separate but there is quite a bit of teamwork with the brothers that are both competitive at the highest level of the national FFA proficiency competition.

Here is more from the brothers.

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Ohio also had a solid showing in the National Agriscience Fair.

Holly Schmenk, Patrick Henry, was first place in Food Products and Processing Systems Division 1.

Kolbie Brandenburg and Abigail Fulton, Felicity-Franklin, were second in Animal Systems Division 3.

Grace Lach, Bloom Carroll, was third in Plant Systems Division 1

Jarrett Crowthers and Jenna Jackels, Edgewood-Butler Tech, were third in Plant Systems Division 3

Rebecca Helt, Global Impact STEM Academy of Ohio FFA Association, was third in Social Systems Division 2.… Continue reading

Austin Wippel, of the Westfall FFA Chapter in Ohio was named the American Star Farmer at the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky.

The American Star awards — including the American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience — are awarded to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of a supervised agricultural experience. A required activity in FFA, an SAE allows students to learn by doing by either owning or operating an agricultural business, working or serving in an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.

Here is more from Wippel.

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Ohio was well represented today in terms of FFA national chapter awards. The Firelands Chapter was the national winner in the area of Models of Innovation – Community Development.

Other finalists representing Ohio for Chapter awards were the Felicity-Franklin and Ridgemont Chapters as finalists in Models of Excellence. The London Chapter was a finalist in Models of Innovation – Community Development. The Miami East, Versailles, and Ridgemont Chapters were finalists in Models of Innovation – Student Development.

Here is more from Firelands Chapter members Katy Tuggle and Michael Anadell about their win.

Katy Tuggle And Michael Anadell Firelands Chapter… Continue reading

The 88th National FFA Convention is underway in Louisville, Kentucky. Ohio is well represented with a considerable amount of members competing for recognition on the national level. 337 American FFA Degrees will be awarded to those from the Buckeye state.

Not listed are those competing in Career Development Events. As of Thursday morning, two Amanda Clearcreek members in the finals (top four in the country) for their respective public speaking contests.

Below are those Ohioans seeing action in their respective contests:

American Star in Agricultural Placement Finalist

Jakob Wilson, Fairbanks

American Star Farmer Finalist

Austin Wippel, Westfall

VIP Citation

Isaac Kershaw

Honorary American Degrees

Earl Beeler, Edward Beeler, Nevin Smith, David Warner

National Proficiency Award Finalists

Agricultural Education – Natalie Miller, Miami Trace

Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication – Wyatt Downard, Preble Shawnee

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance-Entrepreneurship – Zach Hasting, Covington

Agricultural Processing – Maggie Hovermale, Westfall

Agricultural Sales-Entrepreneurship – Kelsey Kirchner, Miami East

Agricultural Sales-Placement – Collin Dunaway, Felicity Franklin

Beef Production-Placement – Nick Erf, Bellevue

Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship – Demi Dovin, Firelands

Dairy Production-Placement – Katerri Schmitmeyer, Versailles

Diversified Agricultural Production – Clay Gerfen, Ridgemont

Diversified Crop Production-Entrepreneurship – Evan Schaefer, Miami Trace

Diversified Livestock – Nole Gerfen, Ridgemont

Emerging Agricultural Technology – Nathan Teeters, Miami East

Equine Science-Placement – Ellyse Shafer, Clear Fork Valley

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production – Tyler Stegbauer, Fayetteville

Food Science and Technology – Mariah Cox, Zane Trace

Fruit Production – Alexandra Sabine, Firelands

Goat Production – Emily Beal, Miami East

Landscape Management – Troy Mabis, Talawanda

Nursery Operations – Zebulon Burton, South Central

Outdoor Recreation – Gabriel Watern – Tri-Village

Small Animal Production and Care – Laci Welch, Marysville

Swine Production-Entrepreneurship – Gus Mitchem, Miami Trace

Vegetable Production – Sam Richer, Wauseon

National Chapter Award – Models of Excellence Finalists

Felicity-Franklin, Ridgemont

National Chapter Award – Models of Innovation Finalists

Community Development – Firelands, London

Student Development – Miami East, Ridgemont, Versailles

Two-Star Chapters

Black River, Kenton, South Central, Upper Sandusky

Three-Star Chapters

Anna, Bowling Green, Cardington, Clear Fork Valley, Crestview-Ashland, Elgin, Fayetteville, Felicity-Franklin, Firelands, Hardin Northern, London, Lynchburg-Clay, Marysville, Miami East-MVCTC, Miami Trace, Mowrystown, North Union, New Bremen, Otsego, Peebles, Ridgemont, River Valley(D6), Talawanda, Versailles, Westfall, Zane Trace

National Agriscience Fair Finalists

Animal Systems Division 1 – Jordan Skates, Pettisville

Animal Systems Division 2 – Hannah Hottel, Northwestern

Animal Systems Division 3 – Kolbie Brandenburg and Abigail Fulton, Felicity-Franklin

Animal Systems Division 4 – Aaron Brautigam and Briana Fanaff, Anna

Environ Services/Natural Resources Systems Division 1 – Gretchen Lee, Pettisville

Environ Services/Natural Resources Systems Division 2 – Michael Schmenk, Patrick Henry

Food Products and Processing Systems Division 1 – Holly Schmenk, Patrick Henry

Food Products and Processing Systems Division 2 – Rhett Tom, Global Impact STEM Academy of Ohio

Food Products and Processing Systems Division 3 – Erin Jennings and Charlena Spaulding, Felicity-Franklin

Food Products and Processing Systems Division 4 – Paige Kirby and Caitlyn Baker, Westfall

Plant Systems Division 1 – Grace Lach, Bloom Carroll

Plant Systems Division 3 – Jarrett Crowthers and Jenna Jackels, Edgewood-Butler Tech

Plant Systems Division 4 – Colt Baker and Ethan Binion, Felicity-Franklin

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 1 – Jacob Ashby, Loudonville

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 2 – Hannah Meller, Pettisville

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Division 4 – Garrett Hoblit and Jacob Minnich, A.B.… Continue reading

The National FFA Organization heads into the 2015 National Convention with a record number of members and the strong organization continues to grows stronger.

FFA membership now stands at 629,367 students, up from 610,240 in 2014, an increase of 3%. The number of chapters grew from 7,665 in 2014 to 7,757 in 2015. The top five membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri. Interest in FFA and agricultural education continues to grow, as membership has increased more than 20% since 2009-10.

“FFA, through agricultural education, is preparing our youth to ensure the security of our country’s food, fiber and natural resources for years to come,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dwight Armstrong, Ph.D. “Through real-world experiences, the nation’s agricultural educators are helping students develop the technical knowledge, skills and problem-solving capabilities to be the industry’s leaders of tomorrow. FFA continues to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture.”

Student membership was not the only thing that grew in 2015.… Continue reading

The October 2015 Miami East-MVCTC FFA Member of the Month is Zach Zowalak. He is the son of Mark and Gretchen Kowalak. He is a freshman and first year member of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter.

Zach recently participated in the district urban soils Career Development Event. He also attended the State Greenhand Conference, Covington FFA Children’s Hospital Fundraiser Dodge Ball Tournament, and Emergency Responders Farm Safety Training program. Furthermore, Zach participated in the chapter’s trapshooting event and FFA Freshman Family Welcome Night

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 student 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

Four students from the Zane Trace FFA were very excited to hear news that they were invited to compete in the 2015 Food Science CDE at the Eastern States Exposition. The Eastern States Exposition is “New England’s Great State Fair.” It is the largest agricultural event on the east coast, held in West Springfield, Mass. The fair includes something from every New England state.

Students attending were Ann Shelby, Mariah Cox, Nathaneal Freeman, and Olivia Pflaumer. Their day started early Friday morning, with a plane ride out to Boston, Mass. The students were able to explore Boston by going to Old North Church, walking the freedom trail, visiting the Boston Science Museum, and eating at an incredible Italian restaurant. It was a long day exploring Boston with their competition the next day, so everyone headed back to their hotel in Springfield to be ready in the morning.

On Saturday morning the Food Science competition started at 8:30 and was set to end at noon.… Continue reading

The National FFA Organization recently announced the results of the National FFA Evaluations. Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter was selected as a 3-Star National Chapter for the National FFA Chapter Award Program. A 3-star is the highest award a chapter can be recognized for in the National Chapter process.  In order to be considered for such an honor, the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter had to place in the top 10% in the state of Ohio. In May, the chapter learned that they were in the Top 10 in the state and would have their application forwarded to national evaluations.

Additionally, the Miami East FFA Chapter was named a Models of Innovation Finalist in the area of Student Development for the National Chapter Award Program. The Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter is a Top 10 in the nation in Student Development. Two chapter members will now present at the National FFA Convention in Louisville to be named the National Winner in Student Development and will be recognized on stage.… Continue reading

The Anthony Wayne FFA Chapter recently held their first meeting of the school year. Prior to this meeting there was a Track and Field day for students to attend. Each officer had a team and students choose which team they wanted to be on. They then competed in different activities to see who won. These activities included an obstacle course, a hanging donut to eat off of the string, greased watermelon contest, and corn on the cob eating contest. There were also two team activities, one was called udder toss where there was a latex glove filled with water and students tossed the glove as if it was a balloon. The other activity was called egg scrambler, and in this activity one student was blindfolded and the other student tried to direct them to find the most eggs. Finally there was one team activity where teammates dressed up one team member with newspaper and masking tape.… Continue reading

The Hiland FFA Chapter participated in the Holmes County Fair this year more than ever before. For example, the FFA Chapter ran the main and side fair gates all day Friday with parent assistance. Hiland also nominated two of their own for the Fair King and Queen Contest, the nominees were Aaron Nisley and Morgan Troyer. Aaron and Morgan won the Attendants position in the Holmes County Fair King and Queen Court.

Hiland FFA Chapter had a booth as always, but this year, the theme was “FFA Is Out Of This World.” Hiland’s side was appropriately decorated with planets, stars and a cow jumping over the moon to capture the Outer Space atmosphere. The booth contained projects that the FFA members made themselves during the school year. Specifically, cornhole boards, work benches and, something never

before seen at the Hiland FFA Chapter Fair Booth, concrete stepping stones crafted by the structural engineering class.… Continue reading

In August, 31 students from both the YWCA and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Hamilton were bussed into the Preble County Fair. The Eaton FFA Chapter organized an Ag STEM Day at the Preble County Fair for those students with $2,500 in grant money the chapter received when they applied for a grant from the Agricultural and Community Outreach Program.

With this money, the chapter was able to set up eight informational stations around the fair for the students to go to, which included service animals, horses, poultry/rabbits, beef, agricultural equipment/ GPS technology, pigs, goats/sheep, and dairy. After the students traveled to the eight stations, they were treated to lunch at the Community Christian Church tent. After lunch the students played barn games.  Finally, students got on the bus home and received a gift bag full of goodies and informational booklets.  Students also received a picture of themselves on a tractor that was taken at the agricultural equipment and GPS technology station.… Continue reading

The Ross County Farm Bureau’s 97th Annual Meeting was held in late August at the Brick in Frankfort with a Meet and Greet/Candidate’s Reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

The Zane Trace FFA chapter was represented by members Kevin Daubenmire, Taylor Stacy, Karlee Daubenmire, Olivia Pflaumer, and Nathaniel Freeman.

This marked the fifth year for the chapter to attend the event, during which current agriculture issues are discussed and voted upon by county Farm Bureau members.

Stacy says she enjoyed the meeting because of the good food and the opportunity to meet new people. Other members liked to see how the meeting was run and the business they attended to.

After the meeting, a raffle was held, and the FFA members assisted in handing out the prizes. Three of the Zane Trace students were winners of a few of the raffle prizes as well. This was an excellent experience for them, and they hope to be able to continue to go.… Continue reading