FFA News

… Continue reading

… Continue reading

The 2012 Stars over Ohio: Star Farmer Brock Goodman from the Cardington Chapter; Star in Agricultural Placement, Aaron Clark of the West Holmes Chapter; and Star in Agribusiness, Phillip VanScoy from the Ridgemont Chapter.… Continue reading

Accounting

1. Eirk Fehlan, Wellington
2. Anne McElwee, Cardington -Lincoln

Agricultural Communications

1. Maddison Buschur, Versailles
2. Jorden Price, Tri-Village-MVCTC

Agricultural Mechanics Design & Fabrication

1. Melissa Shears, Ridgewood
2. Sam Poeppelman, Marion Local

Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Mechanics- Entrepreneurship

1. Jeremy Robbine, Fayetteville

Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Mechanics- Placement

1. Cole Barry, North Union
2. Nate Seitz, Amanda-Clearcrekk

Agricultural Processing

1. Rebecca Faverty, Marlington
2. Tanner Mick, Miami Trace

Agricultural Sales-Entrepreneurship

1. Austin Wippel, Westfall
2. Marie Arnold, Smithville

Agricultural Sales-Placement

1. Kelly Fager, Wauseon
2. Rachel Mcclish, Miami Trace

Agricultural Services

1. Samantha Vermule, Delphos
2. Shane Gardner, West Holmes

AgriScience Research- Integrated Systems

1. Sarah Cox, Zane Trace
2. David Glass, Zane Trace

AgriScience Research-Plant Systems

1. Taylor Kruse, Pettisville
2. Michelle Satterfield, R.G. Drage Career Tech Center

Beef Production-Entrepreneurship
1. Jordon Mullett, River View
2. Chris Goettemoeller, Versailles

Beef Production-Placement
1. Molly Greenawalt, Lynchburg-Clay
2.… Continue reading

Extemporaneous Winner: Craig Berning, Anna FFA Chapter

Beginning Prepared Winner: Grace Dannemiller

Creed Speaking Winner: Rachel Welch, Cory-Rawson FFA

Prepared Winner: Jordan Stacey, Greenon FFA

 … Continue reading

The following people were recognized as Honorary Degree recipients during the second session of 2012 Ohio FFA Convention.

Edward Beeler
Mark Butler
Jamie Chenovey
Scott Elwer
Carol Endslow
Leonard Felty
Colleen Wright
Fred Colt
Dr. Williams Hains
Rober Jordan
Michael Leach
William Massey
Ron Matter
Donna Meller
Rick Raach
Dr. Todd Rappold
Richard Rhoades
John Schartman
David Snyder
Mike Sparks
Devon Stanley
Diane Zyski

 … Continue reading

… Continue reading

… Continue reading

By Joel Penhorwood, Student Reporter

On the morning of Thursday, May 3, the Ohio State Fairgrounds is busy with the setup of the agriscience fair, proficiency competitions, and career development events for the 84th Ohio FFA State Convention. Along with these contests, there is another activity in which blue jacket wearing members are participating. The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP), an organization, which works to improve wheat production and other small grains in the state of Ohio, sponsored the “Food for Thought” program.

This year, eight teams participated in the competition which gives FFA chapters $500 dollars to fund activities and programs to educate the public on the benefits of small grains. The contest was judged by a panel of 5 judges from the Ohio Corn Marketing Program and a Chef from the “Chefs Move to Schools” program. Students at the convention voted by texting Teams created programs and then made a presentation to a panel of judges hoping to win the grand prize of a grant in the amount of $2,000.… Continue reading

By Katelyne Ackley, chapter reporter

On April 10, 2012 the Benjamin Logan FFA held their annual blood drive. The blood drive was coordinated by the Healthy Lifestyle Committee. There were numerous students and staff that signed up to give blood, and there were more than 54 units collected. The blood collections went to the American Red Cross.… Continue reading

The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter completed a National Chapter Award Application and received a bronze rating placing 52^nd in the entire state of Ohio. The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter has not completed this application for several years.

The National Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters that successfully complete an annual Program of Activities which includes a series of activities designed to encourage its members to grow as individuals, to work as part of a team, and to serve others. In order to qualify for a state or national award, your chapter must complete at least 15 activities: one for each of the five quality standards in each of the three divisions.… Continue reading

Joel Penhorwood is a senior at Benjamin Logan High School where he has been involved in the FFA for four years and has served as chapter president for two of those years. In addition to the FFA, Joel is also involved in marching, concert, and jazz bands, cross country, as well as National Honor Society and is currently president of his senior class. Outside of school, Joel is big into showing livestock (including beef steers, market/breeding hogs, and market goats) as he participates in the Logan County Fair and Ohio State Fairs every year. Joel is also the creator and broadcaster/narrowcaster of the LoCo Lingo, an agricultural podcast serving the Logan County, Ohio area. His background also includes work at Four-Henry Holsteins, a mid-sized dairy farm near West Liberty, Ohio. Overall, Joel is a bright spirited guy with a serious passion for agriculture!

Kaitlin Geisz is a senior at Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio where she has been a member of the Edgewood/Butler Tech FFA chapter for the past two years.… Continue reading

By Katelyne Ackley, chapter reporter

Benjamin Logan FFA Cooperative Education and Animal Behavior teams competed at the state level. The Cooperative Education team placed seventh overall with Kathleen Seeley placing eighth. Members that participated on the team were: Brent Weiss, Jasmine Wical, Chelsea Shaffer, JD Harvey, Josh Vinson, and Jessie Dodson.

The Animal Behavior team placed sixth overall with Ashley Wilson placing eighth. Members that participated on the team were: Chelsea Shaffer, Taylor McNamara, and Gwen Reaver.… Continue reading

Nationwide Program Provides Funding for Service-Learning Projects to Fight Hunger

The National FFA Organization awarded $330,000 in grant money for the FFA: Food For All program. The program provides funding to support year-long service-learning projects focused on developing and implementing sustainable hunger programs. Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that challenges students to identify, research, develop, and implement solutions to identified needs in their school or community as part of their curriculum.

The FFA: Food For All program provided up to $2,500 to 140 chapters in 41 states to assist local chapters with their programs. All of the projects will rely on FFA members for implementation. In addition to providing food for local residents in need, FFA members will provide helpful information regarding the care, preparation and preservation of food.

FFA: Food For All Grants are sponsored by Farmers Feeding the World and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.… Continue reading

On Wednesday, April 25th, the Miami Trace FFA held their annual banquet at Miami Trace High School.  The banquet is held every year to recognize members, advisors, parents, and other community members that helped make the last year such a success.  Many members were also recognized for having numerous achievements throughout the year.

Senior Rachel McClish served as toastmaster for the banquet and assisted in presenting numerous awards. Retiring Vice President Emily Ratliff gave the welcome followed by seniors Nathan Bowers and Victoria Dugan with the introduction of guests.  Freshmen Natalie Miller and Jacob Rose introduced parents of first year FFA members. The invocation was given by Senior Landon Gibbs to all attending the banquet meal, which was catered by McCoy’s catering of Wilmington, Ohio.

Before the awards were given in the auditorium, senior Sarah Peterson sang the National Anthem. Many scholarships were presented to senior FFA members. Alumni president, Dale Mayer, and alumni treasurer, Robin Beekman, presented the FFA Alumni scholarships to deserving seniors Tiarra Perkins, Jamie Payton, Zack Anderson, Charlie Hiser, Jordan Bonham, Trevor Kirkpatrick, Logan Noble, Whitney Starcher, Garrett Reed, Nathan Bowers, and Kayla Kiser received a $400 scholarship.… Continue reading

By Elizabeth Overholt and Audrey Ivers, chapter reporters

On March 31^th 2012 the West Holmes FFA sent members to compete at the State Judging Contest held at the Ohio State Expo Center. The chapter had members compete in Dairy Judging, Horse Judging, Dairy Foods, and General Livestock.

In Dairy Judging, members evaluate dairy cattle classes, take a general knowledge test, create linear classifications, and evaluate pedigrees for sire selections. The dairy judging team placed 21^st, individually Matt Schlegel placed 76^th, Morgan Hoxworth 83^rd, Tristan Ramseyer 98^th, Clay Armstrong 112^th, Derek Reutter 160^th, Brandon Bowles 203^rd, Marshall Overholt 236^th, Maggie Raber 238^th and Tanner Goines 265^th.

In Horse judging members take a test over equipment, managements, and feeds, and judge halter and performance classes. In Dairy foods members identify cheese varieties, sample milk for defects, determine imitation verses real products, judge milking units, and take a general knowledge test over the dairy products industry.… Continue reading

Following the successful live broadcast of its 2011 National FFA Convention, the National FFA Organization has decided to take up permanent residence on the iHigh.com platform with its own channel.

The FFA Channel, which will be powered by Alltech and iHigh, will capitalize on the latest in Web technology to bring greater unity to their membership base, which is more than a half-million students strong throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The ability of a Web channel to provide such a platform was exemplified in the October live broadcast of 2011 National FFA Convention, which was attended by more than 53,000 attendees and joined live on the Internet by an additional 550,000 viewers who would have otherwise missed the experience.

“We are very excited about the opportunity that this channel will afford our members,” said Dwight Armstrong, chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization. “Having an FFA iHigh channel will create another vehicle for us to share the FFA message of premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”… Continue reading

Four members of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter recently participated in the state Animal Behavior, Welfare and Husbandry Career Development Event on April 17^th at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.  In the competition, students were tested on their knowledge of typical and atypical animal behavior as well as their understanding of approved animal care standards and practices.

Students observed five different species of animals and answered questions over their behaviors then evaluated and presented a review of animal welfare compliance for two poultry farms and a power point presentation over the behavior of domesticated sugar gliders.  The students who participated included: Jessie Proehl, Nicole Jordan, Amber Ginter and Kasandra Dalton.

All four students have a strong interest in animal science and this contest helped them to further their understanding of animals and their normal behaviors.  For their efforts the team received a 4^th place finish in the state competition and will be recognized with a banner from the Ohio FFA Association.… Continue reading

The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the scholarship recipients of the OSCF Scholarship Program for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Undergraduate scholarships of $3,000 each were awarded to Mike Hannewald, Andrew Klopfenstein, Derek McCracken and Brent Stammen. The second annual $3,000 Farmer, Lumpe + McClelland (FLM) Scholarship, a scholarship awarded to a student studying agriculture communications or business, was awarded to Stacie Seger. The annual $5,000 Bhima Vijayendran Scholarship, a scholarship named in honor of a Battelle research scientist who has made tremendous contributions to the soybean industry, was awarded to Stephanie Verhoff.

A $5,000 graduate scholarship was awarded to Brittany Nauth and two $2,500 graduate scholarships were awarded to Dee Marty and Jessica Schwartz.

This is the fifth year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue careers in agriculture, as well as to support ongoing graduate-level research. All OSCF scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to full-time students enrolled at an Ohio college or university.… Continue reading

By Janel Broering, chapter reporter

On April 2^nd, the St. Henry FFA held their 58th Annual Parent/Member Banquet at Romer’s Catering in St. Henry. The evening started with FFA President, Isaac Marchal, welcoming all those in attendance.

During the ceremonies, two members who will be receiving their American Degree at the 2012 National FFA Convention were recognized: they are, Brad Nieport and Ethan Tobe.

We also had five members earn their state degree, which they will be awarded at the State Convention in May.  The State Degree recipients are Isaac Lefeld, Tyler Lefeld, Brad Rindler, Kaitlin Schmitmeyer, and Zach Siefring.

We also recognized those students who earned their Greenhand Degree, the first degree an FFA member can achieve.  There were 28 members who earned this degree.  We then awarded the chapter degree which 24 members achieved this past year.

At the end of the banquet we recognized the Star Greenhands and Star Chapter. … Continue reading