FFA News

On Thursday, May 2 six members of the Miami East-MVCTC 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.

Earning a gold rating and first place was a freshman team, consisting of Kelsey Kirchner and Katie Bendickson. The team qualified to apply for the National Agriscience Fair in October during the National FFA Convention. Kelsey and Katie’s research was “Who Nose Their Smells?” They surveyed various age groups on their preference of fresh citrus or oil aromas. They were recognized on stage at the State FFA Convention with a certificate and cash prize.

Also receiving a Silver Rating where the teams of Rian Kingrey and Olivia Edgell with their research project, “Dry Away the Germs” and Danielle Danielson and Brittany Taylor with their project, “Which Blanket is the Coolest.”… Continue reading

Ridgedale and Ridgemont FFA were each awarded $2,000 from the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP), as part of a statewide competition among FFA chapters to increase awareness about the nutritional value of a whole grain diet, among other healthy behavior changes, at their schools.

Before their peers and a judging panel, FFA chapters showcased their “Food for Thought Challenge” campaign efforts at the 85th Ohio State FFA Convention May 2 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

Food for Thought FFA chapters included:

• Clear Fork Mt. Gilead
• Benjamin Logan North Union
• Eaton
• Northwestern
• Fairlawn
• Twin Valley South
• London
• Ridgedale
• Miami East
• Ridgemont

Participating chapters submitted campaign proposals to OSGMP in September and based on the originality of their ideas, were granted $500 each in October to implement their campaigns.

Campaign tactics included the use of student food logs, organizing educational fairs with health-related groups and providing healthy snacks between classes.

Because of the effectiveness of each chapter’s campaign tactics, both Ridgedale and Ridgemont FFA tied for first place and were each presented with a $2,000 check to continue campaign activities.… Continue reading

The Kenton FFA Chapter received a $5,000 grant from the Helping Communities Grow. Kenton FFA partnered with the Nutrients for Life Foundation to help their community become better informed about agricultural issues.

The chapter reached members of their community through a number of different tools including school presentations, raised beds, a land lab, radio programs, and newspaper articles. In addition, the developed posters to spark an interest for topics including: NPK, the Five Fertilizer Facts, and the Nutrients for Life Foundation.

“Members from Kenton FFA gave presentations to third and eighth grade students about photosynthesis, NPK, the Five Fertilizer Facts, as well as the Nutrients for Life Foundation and all the program has to offer. These presentations not only fit into the school’s curriculum, but will hopefully generate an interest in the agricultural industry for the future,” said Morgan Latham of the Kenton FFA Chapter. “The grant money helped to finance many activities and projects to promote agriculture such as new raised beds and a land lab.… Continue reading

At the 85^th Ohio FFA Convention in Columbus, four Southeastern students received the State FFA Degree, the highest award Ohio can bestow on an FFA member. In order to qualify, members must meet many standards which include; 35 hours of community service or improvement, $3000 earned in their supervised agricultural experience programs with at least $1,000 productively invested, compete in at least two state sanctioned career development events or competitions, maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 93% school attendance rate and serve as an officer or committee member. A seventeen page application is completed prior to evaluations at the sub-district, district and state levels and then must meet final approval guidelines at state evaluations before being awarded. This year, Danielle Augustus, Haley Conway, Jillian Edwards and Matt Toops have all been awarded the State FFA Degree among nearly 700 across the state. Less than 3% of all Ohio FFA members are awarded the degree and are among the elite of FFA membership.… Continue reading

Members of the Southeastern FFA recently traveled to Columbus to attend the 85^th Ohio FFA Convention. On the way to the convention, the group toured the Anthony Thomas candy factory. At the convention, guest speakers Rhett Laubach, Josh Shipp and Jeff Civillico were featured while National FFA President, Clay Sapp, also gave a keynote address. The FFA chapter was recognized for their efforts in raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Miracle Network. Individually, Danielle Augustus was recognized for her gold-rated treasurer’s book and Kyle James was recognized for his gold-rated secretary’s book. Danielle also represented Southeastern as member of the all-Ohio FFA Chorus and performed prior to the start of the final session. Members also visited with many colleges and universities and agribusinesses in the trade show in between sessions and enjoyed recreational activities provided by Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum.

The members would like to thank Mrs. Penny Augustus for chaperoning the event and Mrs.… Continue reading

Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3, members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter attended the Ohio FFA State Convention in Columbus. Members were recognized for various accomplishments and competed in several contests. While in Columbus, the members the convention’s Career Show, met FFA members from across the state, and enjoyed eating out!

Motivation speakers at the convention included Professional Motivational Speakers, Rhett Laubuch, Josh Shipp and Jeff Civillico, National FFA Regional Vice President Wiley Bailey from Alabama, and State FFA President Shelby Faulkner.

During the National Chapter Award results the chapter was named a Top 10 Chapter, out of over 315 chapters in the state. Additionally, the chapter placed in the Top 10 in the areas of  Student, Chapter and Community Development.  These results are from the chapter’s National Chapter Application. The application will now be sent to the National FFA for review and placing. Additionally, the chapter was recognized for being a Gold Medal Chapter.… Continue reading

On April 6^th, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter had six CDE (Career Development Event) teams compete at the spring state skills contests at the Ohio Expo Center. The teams competing were the Nature Interpretation team, coached by Mr. Tilley; the Wildlife Management team, coached by Mr. Tilley and assisted by Andy Montoney; the Agronomy team, coached by Mr. Sharp and by Bob McClure; the Equine team, coached by Gail Ellinger; the General Livestock team, coached by A-C FFA Alumni member Christian Hoffman; and the Poultry team. A big thank you to all friends of the FFA who helped! Although many team practices were scheduled, a large amount of the studying and practice that these members must complete was done on their own time.

The Nature Interpretation, Agronomy, and Wildlife Management teams all placed in the top five in the state, earning the A-C FFA Chapter three new recognition banners. This is a huge accomplishment because only teams placing in the top five in their respective state contest areas are awarded a banner.… Continue reading

The May 2013 Miami East FFA Members of the Month are Emily Johnson, Sarah Pyers, and Corrine Melvin. They are all retired chapter officers and will soon be graduates of Miami East High School.

Emily Johnson is the daughter of Jim and Kris Johnson. She will be attending Urbana University majoring in marketing. She has served as chapter president and secretary, competed in the state Agricultural Sales competition, and recently placed second in the Sheep Production Proficiency.

Sarah Pyers is the daughter of Kevin and Lori Pyers. She will be attending the University of Findlay majoring in occupational therapy. She has served as chapter vice president, completed in the state Food Science competition, and recently placed second in the Specialty Crop Production Proficiency.

Corrine Melvin is the daughter of Mike Melvin and Michele Melvin. She will be attending Ohio Northern University to major in nursing. She has competed in the job interview, agricultural communications, and parliamentary procedures competitions.… Continue reading

The Hiland FFA Chapter would like to congratulate David Yoder on being the Member of the Month for April. David is the son of David and Brenda Yoder. This is David’s first year in FFA and he is a Senior. David is employed at Ruetenik Farms. Some of David’s responsibilities includes shaking and baling Christmas trees to get them ready to be sold. David’s favorite FFA activities contest is General Livestock Judging Contest. He enjoyed going to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana and to the Holmes County Training Center this year. In his spare time, David likes to ride four wheelers, read, attend auctions, and lift weights. David’s plans is to attend The Ohio State University ATI (Agricultural Technical Institute) in Wooster and to work at a Soil and Water Conservation District after college. David’s piece of advice to future FFA members: “If you are interested in an activity or contest, do it.… Continue reading

… Continue reading

President:  Maddy Buschur, Versailles

State Vice President: Tre Plowman, Cardington

State Secretary: Sydney Snider, Felicity-Franklin

State Treasurer: Jarred Shellhouse

State Reporter: Allison Mangun, Norwayne

State Sentinel:  Nick Brumfield, Amanda-Clearcreek

District 1: Andrew Teet

District 2: Aaron Gates

District 3: Geoffrey Norris

District 4: Erika Nigh

District 5: Joe Schmitz

District 6: Mary Beth Siekman

District 7: Jeanie McGarvey

District 8: Elizabeth Overholt

District 9: Hallie Hiser

District 10: Blake Campbell

… Continue reading

Creed Speaking:
1. Madison Rose, Coldwater FFA

Beginning Speaking:

Evan Smith, Bloom-Carroll

Prepared Speaking:

Tyler Parcell, Fayetteville

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Madison Buschur, Versailles… Continue reading

The Anna Chapter swept the chapter awards winning the top chapter in Student Development, Chapter Development and Community Development.

The chapter members worked hard for the honor and were excited about their success.

“We did a lot of new innovations this year that set us apart from years in the past. We had our family fun nights and, basically, that is when family members can get involved. And, it was a good opportunity to get younger people interested in FFA too,” said Summer McCracken, from the Anna Chapter. “We had our ‘Dimes for Dentinger’ plan. A student that would have been in the senior class died of an asthma attack in fifth grade and we wanted to do something to remember him. We raised over $2,000 for the American Lung Association. We also had chicken feed trials in the classroom where high school ag students monitored chickens fed different feed to see which one worked best.… Continue reading

Wildlife Production & Management
1. Jeremy Ruger, Wauseon FFA
2. Dakota Sheahan, Genoa Area High School FFA

Veterinary Medicine
1. Carmen Meyer, Marion Local FFA
2. Linsday Daniel, Mohawk FFA

Vegetable Production
1. Christopher Teaford, Miami East-MVCTC FFA
2. Emily Harman, Versailles FFA

Turf Grass Management
1. Evan Riggs, Arcadia FFA
2. Craig Berning, Anna FFA

Swine Production- Placement
1. Logan Brookhart, Versailles FFA
2. Ben Hampshire FFA

Swine Production- Entrepreneurship
1. Doug Seger, Ft. Loramie FFA
2. Blake Campbell, Waterford FFA

Specialty Crop Production
1. Catlin Pauley, Riverdale FFA
2. Sarah Pyers, Miami East MVCTC FFA

Specialty Animal Production
1. Andrew Scharf, Ridgemont FFA
2. Kristin Eisenhauer, Shelby FFA

Small Animal Production & Care
1. Mattew Klopfenstein, Wayne Trace FFA
2. Morgan Shane, Riverdale FFA

Sheep Production
1. Chelsea Shell, Blanchester FFA
2. Emily Johnson, Miami East MVCTC FFA

Poultry Production
1. Jessica Zurcher, Firelands FFA
2. Mitchell Swonger, River Valley FFA

Outdoor Recreation
1.… Continue reading

Congratulations to the State Star farmers are: Jakob Wilson, of the Fairbanks Chapter; Elizabeth Hayes of the Marysville Chapter; and Austin Wippel, from the Westfall Chapter.

Heather Hetterick spoke with Austin Whippel moments after he won State Star Farmer. The 18-year-old owns his own equipment and has a successful hay and straw business.

Austin Whippel State Star Farmer… Continue reading