FFA News

Members of the Miami Trace FFA Chapter in Ohio were one of 34 teams participating in the National FFA Agronomy Career Development Event (CDE). The event was held in conjunction with the 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The team, led by advisor Bruce Bennett, was awarded a Gold emblem and placed second in the nation. Members also competed for individual awards with 131 other participants. Landon Gibbs received a Gold emblem, Rachel McClish received a Silver emblem, Evan Schaefer received a Gold emblem, and Judith Straathof received a Gold emblem.

The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the agronomy event are sponsored by Bayer CropScience as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The members of the team placed in the top 15 individually with Straathof placing sixth, Schaefer placing seventh, Gibbs placing ninth and McClish placing thirtieth.… Continue reading

The Preble Shawnee FFA officers recently attended the Rotary Club’s Urban Rural Day. The Chapter heard from a keynote speaker about issues that are affecting water quality around the state of Ohio… Continue reading

Wednesday, October 24, a group of Zane Trace FFA members traveled to Indianapolis to attend the 85^th National FFA Convention. This convention is an annual trip for the most involved members of Zane Trace FFA, and used as  a great opportunity to grow as leaders, learn more about their future, explore Indianapolis, and get to know FFA Members from around the country.

The Zane Trace Members started of their trip with a visit to the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana, where they learned many fun facts about the movie Hoosiers, and were able to shoot baskets in the original gym from the movie. From there, they traveled to Traders Point Creamery. There, they looked around the milking area and learned about the natural products that Traders Point has to offer. The members ended their day by attending The Band Perry and Brantley Gilbert concert in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Thursday morning was when the convention activities kicked off, and the members attended opening session of the convention, held in the Bankers Life Field House.… Continue reading

By  Emily Daniel, chapter reporter

Thirteen members of the Mohawk FFA attended National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Members were:  Meghan Chaffee, Meagan Cleveland, Emily Daniel, Lindsay Daniel, Kayla Draper, Morgan Edington, Somer Freeman, Caitlin Huffman, Blaec Kearns, Austin Morter, Deon Morter, Cassie Parsons, and Austin Vasquez-Miller.  Members went to the career fair, toured Indiana Downs, visited a large dairy, and went to many sessions.  The trip is a great way for members to develop their leadership potential and to explore possible careers in the agriculture fields.… Continue reading

The Preble ShawneeFFA has recently completed its annual fruit sale. The fruit sale was a success and they sold approximately $18,500.00. The Preble Shawnee FFA would like to thank everyone who supported the Chapter through their annual fruit sale. The fruit will be delivered the first week of December… Continue reading

Seven members of the Southeastern FFA recently competed in the sub-district food science and technology career development event held at Southeastern High School. Team members had to use nutritional and budget information for ingredients to develop a food product prior to completing four other activities.

Individually, students had to identify twelve different food aromas, identify differing food products in a series of triangle tests, respond to and identify problems and solutions posed in a customer complaint letter and identify up to six different food safety and sanitation violations given ten photographs of food preparation areas.

Each portion of the competition was scored and the top three schools advance to the district level. Southeastern placed third behind Graham and Urbana.

Those competing were; Jillian Edwards, Haley Conway, Ashley Finchum, Danielle Augustus, Matt Toops, Kyle James and Shawn Carpenter. Other students who assisted in running the event were; Deanna Keating, Tristin Ford, Alex Lancaster, Cory Knox, and Madison Roddy.… Continue reading

By Katelyne Ackley, chapter reporter

On October 24-25, 2012 members of the Benjamin Logan FFA Chapter recently attended the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Once in Greenville, Ohio members visited the Anderson’s Ethanol Plant where they toured and saw how a plant worked. As enjoyment, members went to the Incredible Pizza Place and a Band Perry Concert. This was a great way to mingle and have a good time.

The Benjamin Logan FFA Chapter recently had three FFA members recognized at the National Convention. Congratulations to Heather Bleiniger, Cierra Jordan, Kelsey Lininger, Stephen Miller, and Libby Zoldak. They were awarded with the highest degree possible which was their American Degree.… Continue reading

By Emily Daniel, chapter reporter

The Mohawk FFA planned its first-ever Distracted Driving Day this year.  There was a speaker that came and talked to the junior and senior classes about the dangers of texting and driving.

The Ohio Department of Transportation brought a driving stimulator to the school for a day during Homecoming week.  Students participated by driving the stimulator and signed and pledged vowing not to text and drive.

The stimulator was also available for community members to participate in during the football game that night.… Continue reading

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 the Bellevue FFA hosted its annual Greenhand initiation to formally induct first- year members into the FFA. There were 32 members who completed the applications to earn the Greenhand degree.

The ceremony was held in the high school cafeteria, and members and guests enjoyed refreshments following the festivities. The Greenhand degree is the first degree that an FFA member can earn, and is symbolized with a bronze pin (to be worn on the FFA jacket) and a certificate.

“Greenhands” as they are referred to throughout their first year in the Ag program, must learn about the FFA organization, memorize the FFA creed and have plans for a satisfactory Supervised Agricultural Experience in order to qualify for this prestigious degree. Congratulations to all recipients, and welcome to the Bellevue FFA!… Continue reading

The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter had a float in the Black Walnut Festival Parade. The float was pulled by Jeremy Bendel. Johnny Cottingim, chair of the Ag Awareness Committee contacted local commodity organizations for items to distribute during the parade.

The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter also assisted with the kiddie tractor pull, where they helped set up, record pull lengths, hand out trophies/ prizes, line up, and signed up participants.

 … Continue reading

By Jessica Millenbaugh, chapter reporter
The annual Fall Festival hosted by Colonel Crawford FFA in partnership with Pioneer, was a big success.  The CC FFA set up a tent and put on the petting zoo.  Despite the cold, and wind, the petting zoo was a wonderful experience for kids looking to experience fun with animals that are in our community.

Not only did we host the petting zoo, but we also held a bake sale to raise money for the FFA National Convention trip from Oct. 24 through Oct. 27.… Continue reading

The annual FFA Fruit Sale fundraiser is now running for the Hiland FFA Chapter. Sales are now being taken and will run until Nov. 19.

Fruit will come in the week of Dec. 10. The chapter is selling Navels, Tangelos, Tangerines, Oranges, Red Grapefruit, Nuts and Barbecue Sauces.

Please contact a Hiland FFA member or Ms. Albright at Hiland at 330-893-2626.… Continue reading

Aaron Clark, son of Heidi Truit, Chris and Julie Clark, was one of the four national finalists for the Diversified Agricultural Production. The National FFA Organization’s Agricultural Proficiency Awards program recognized outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business working for an existing company or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience.

Aaron became eligible for the national contest after winning the Ohio state FFA contest earlier this year and will take home a $500 award plus a special plaque.  Aaron worked at Loder Farms and Kick Farms, where he did both crop and livestock production for the past four years.

Aaron has worked on farmland on a 6,000 acre gain and poultry farm, he helps with fieldwork, plant beans, takes soil samples and inspects the eggs of the approximately 45,000 laying hens. At a different operation, he works with a 150 herd of crossbred dairy cows, feeding calves, hauling manure and grinding feed.… Continue reading

National FFA Organization has selected the Madison Plains FFA chapter to participate in the Invest 2 Fight Hunger (I2FH) Pilot Program. Only 30 chapters were extended this opportunity across the nation. Madison Plains will be hosting at least four educational workshops regarding hunger and its related issues.

The National FFA Organization is committed to helping combat hunger by providing its chapters and members with resources and opportunities to engage in this important cause. The Invest 2 Fight Hunger (I2FH) Pilot Program will provide opportunities for students to put their FFA leadership skills into action by educating their community. In addition, the chapter will partner with its local ADM grain elevator and Feeding America Food Bank to help provide relief for needy area citizens.

The Invest 2 Fight Hunger Pilot Program is sponsored by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

About the Howard G.… Continue reading

Recently members of the Miami East FFA Chapter donated dozens of to the elementary libraries of three schools that participate in the Miami East Ag Day in May. The books will be available for all the elementary students to learn about where their food comes from and gain a better understanding of agriculture in their lives. The schools donated to include Troy City School’s Cookson Elementary, Troy City’s Concord Elementary, and Miami East Elementary.

These books were selected from an approved list provided by the American Farm Bureau Federation and Ohio Farm Bureau as recipients of Children’s Literature Medal for accuracy in agriculture and farm-friendly.

One of the books donated was the 2012 Ohio Farm Bureau’s Award for Children’s Literature Winner, “How Did That Get In My Lunchbox? The Story of Food,” by Chris Butterworth. The book was chosen because it is a clear, engaging look at the steps involved in producing some common foods.… Continue reading

Twenty- four Mowrystown FFA members attended the 2012 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The students enjoyed sessions, the expo, and the tours and activities they did while they were there.

A few stops that they made were at: The Children’s Museum, Lincoln Tech, and the National Museum of the US Air Force. On Saturday, Logan Morris, Ashley Frazer, and Taryn Christy were received their American Degrees.

Everyone enjoyed the trip and had a good time!… Continue reading

By Jessica Millenbaugh, chapter reporter

Colonel Crawford FFA is selling fruit starting on Oct. 18.  Fruit forms will be due Nov. 19 and fruit delivery will begin around Dec. 7.

The FFA chapter will be selling navel oranges, grapefruit, tangelos, various nuts, BBQ sauce, and Fruit Baskets.  Call the Colonel Crawford FFA chapter at (419) 562-6755 to order or contact a FFA member today.… Continue reading

By Jessica Millenbaugh, chapter reporter

During the week of Oct. 24 – 27 FFA members Jessica Lohr, Rebecca Enright, Tony Gwirtz, Jessica Millenbaugh, Cheyenne Johnson, Kendra Hudson, Taylor Lutz, Dalton Hoover, Kyle Hudson, Adam Widman, Alex Brause, Darren Thomas, chaperone Nate Rhodes, Andrew Betti and Advisor Krista Betti traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the National FFA Convention.

The group first stopped and made a tour in Springfield, OH of Dole, we toured the plant and watched the process of lettuce from raw material to being boxed up to be shipped. The next stop was a tour of the Dull Wind and Conservation Farm. We learned about wind mills and solar panels and also the production of seed corn. The chapter also stopped at Tuttle farms and toured the apple orchard and got to taste different varieties of apples. One stop was at Ozark Fisheries, which is a koi and goldfish producer.… Continue reading

By Audrey Ivers, chapter reporter

The West Holmes FFA chapter traveled to National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 24-27. The 14 members who attended National Convention were: Liz Overholt, Matt Schelgel, Dustin Niehaus, Sam Krejci, Mandy Taylor, Clay Armstrong, Harlie Spurlock, Paige Miller, Shyann Kick, Beth Klien, Megan Miller, Justin Lorentz, Dylan Harsh, and Elise Neville. Additions to the members were: Chaperones and Graduates: Ms. Rosales, Mrs. Taggart, Jaime Chenevey, Aaron Clark, and Garrett O’Donnell.

On Wednesday, the chapter went on a tour of the State House and to the Air and Space Museum. At the State House, members had the opportunity to listen to a Representative speak, they also toured where the Senate and House of Representatives meet, and toured the State House. During the Tour of the Air and Space Museum, the chapter walked around and looked at the historical documents, the airplanes and had the chance to sit in airplanes and even sat in airplane simulator games.… Continue reading

By  Emily Daniel, chapter reporter

FFA Greenhand Camp is held each year for first-year FFA members to attend.  The camp is held at Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, Ohio.  The camp focuses on teamwork and goal setting.  Students learned about future FFA careers, leadership opportunities, and contests.  It also helps the students set goals for their high school careers and beyond.

Mohawk FFA sent 11 members, which is half of the first-year class. The students who attended were Tori Chaney, Morgan Edgington, Cambria Kohlenberg, Joanie Lininger, Megan Ohl, Katie Pinkston, Logan Reinhart, Dominic Smith, Sara Spencer, Vanessa Stull, and Jordan Wheeler.… Continue reading