FFA News

By Katelyne Ackley, chapter reporter

On Sept. 28, 2012 the Benjamin Logan FFA hosted an Agriculture Extravaganza throughout the Benjamin Logan District. FFA Members in the Animal Science Class brought in their own animals and did activities with each grade level. Animals that were brought in on grounds were: horses, sheep, goats, pigs, pot belly pig, dairy cattle, beef cattle, chickens, and rabbits.

FFA members contacted local farmers in the area, and asked them to bring in equipment to show students how much equipment we could get in the front yard to equal one million dollars, which they exceeded.  The Benjamin Logan FFA would like to thank the following: Parrott Implement, Ed Wenger, Dave and Kathy Mobley, The Cronkleton Family, Tim Lyden, The Boysel Family, ACK-LEE Register Holsteins, and Bob Reams for bringing in equipment.

The Benjamin Logan FFA would like to thank: Jamie Griffin and Lazy H Ranch for coming out and talking about their business.… Continue reading

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The Marietta FFA Chapter Rural Soil Judging Team competed at the Washington County Soil Judging Competition on Friday, September 21, 2012 and then competed at the District 10 Soil Judging Competition on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. The members of the team are Brittany Baker, Shania Baker, Allison Robinson, and Jonathan Wood.

At the county competition the team took third place out of five teams. The team then went on to the District 10 Soil Judging Competition.

At the district competition the team took second place out of 18 teams. With idividual results being: Brittany Baker taking sixth place; Jonathan Wood taking ninth place; Shania Baker taking tenth place; and Allison Robinson taking eighteenth out of 77 individuals.

With the second place finish at the district competition the will now travel to the State Soil Judging Competition. Which will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Malabar Farm in Richland County Ohio.… Continue reading

By: Kendra Beckman, chapter reporter

The Agricultural Awareness Committee of the Miami East FFA Chapter recently sponsored a farm safety poster contest at Miami East Elementary.  Students in the second grade were given poster board and had to create a farm safety promotion poster.  FFA members evaluated the pictures and awarded first place to each homeroom.  The results are as follows:

Mrs. Gentis – Samsaar Tapa
Mrs. Donnelly – Carter Vanhorn
Mrs. Riley – Kylee McKinney
Mrs. Rice – Linde Snodgrass

Each student participating received a gift from the FFA Chapter, including candy, an FFA sticker, and pencil.  The first place poster in each homeroom was also awarded an FFA Bear.  Congratulations to the winners!… Continue reading

District 4 State President Gary Klopfenstein visited Liberty-Benton High School on September 9 to talk to the students about their goals. He had fun activities for the students to do while in class.

Students in some of the classes broke wood blocks in their class. They also played FFA Jeopardy. Other classes did work on discovering their goals, how to reach them, and steps they can take to determine long, short, and dream goals. When asked what the deference between a dream and a goal was, a student replied that a dream was something that was a very long-term goal that was in some cases unrealistic and a goal was something you can accomplish whether it be long or short term. This student also replied that short-term goals only lead or help you reach your long-term goals.

While there, Gary also had lunch with some students from the fourth period Ag class and played some more games with them.… Continue reading

On Friday September 14, 4 members of the Botkins FFA Chapter and their advisor, Mr. Chad Berning, traveled to West Springfield, Massachusetts to represent the state of Ohio at The Big “E”. Competing for the team were juniors Michaela Kramer and Derek Shaffer, and sophomores Lucas Buehler and Kyle Moellenkamp. This past spring, the team qualified for The Big “E” after placing 2nd in the state FFA General Livestock Judging contest.

During the competition, the team had to individually evaluate 9 classes of livestock, give oral reasons on 3 of the classes, and take a 50 question written exam based on livestock and livestock production. They also had 2 team activities, which included a keep/cull activity and a 10 question worksheet based on one of the classes they evaluated.

The team competed against some of the top teams in Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, totaling about 30 individuals.… Continue reading

Several FFA students spent free time during lunch decorating a spirit sheet and a hay wagon in preparation for homecoming festivities, while others made signs and planned out a fundraising opportunity. About fifteen FFA members represented the group by riding the wagon in the parade, tossing out candy to onlookers. A few other FFA students volunteered their time painting many faces and challenged willing golfers with their putting skills in a small fundraiser throughout the evening before the game was postponed. The FFA students would like to thank the community for their involvement and support, as well as recent graduate, Zach McGraw, for use of the hay wagon in the parade.

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Over 55 students in Southeastern’s high school agriculture classes recently attended the 50^th annual Farm Science Review. Most students completed an assignment that allowed them to research many resources and exhibitors at the event, while others gathered information from company representatives on possible job and internship opportunities in the agriculture industry. A handful of other students volunteered their time to assist the Ohio Cattlewomen’s Association with their food tent, practicing customer service and organization skills while gaining valuable service and volunteer experience. Many students witnessed the new grain rescue training module and sharpened their land evaluation skills at the practice soil pit. Students also gathered many resources and brochures that can be utilized in their classes throughout the year.… Continue reading

Members of the Southeastern FFA recently competed in the Clark County FFA soils competition, which was held near Greenon High School. Fifteen students represented the Southeastern FFA in rural soils competition, which involves evaluating land for crop and agricultural use. The team placed a fourth in the competition, with Alex L. placing fourth individually out of all competitors. Nine students competed in the urban soils competition, which involves evaluating soils for construction and landscaping uses. The team placed third with Cory K. leading the way by placing second overall individually. The teams will next compete at the district level in Logan County at the end of September.

In soils competitions, students must inspect and evaluate four soils sites, which include a soil pit where properties such as soil depth, drainage, soil texture and erosion are evaluated. Students must also measure the slope of the land. Upon gathering information on soil properties, students must identify appropriate land uses and make recommendations on overcoming soil weaknesses or limitations due to properties that pose a challenge.… Continue reading

Liberty-Benton FFA members Lauren Burner, Jordan Wright, and Amber Dick enjoyed the honor of becoming Hancock County Fair royalty for the fair that ran from August 29th – September 3rd.  Lauren Burner was selected as Beef Queen, Jordan Wright Poultry King, and Amber Dick Goat Princess.

Chapter members also submitted a variety of projects in the fair. Fair projects for the 2012 Hancock County Fair submitted by L-B FFA members included nail boxes, birdhouses, electric panels, welding panels, electric cord carriers, mechanics creepers, ladder golf games, sawhorses, concrete patio blocks, and posters among other entries such as animals that were entered in the fair by other FFA members. Some of the featured animals in this year’s fair by L-B FFA members were rabbits, horses, and chickens. Members also exhibited other animals in open class and 4-H.

Chapter members also participated in volunteer work at the fair. On Saturday, September 1st L-B FFA members worked at the Hancock County Sheep Improvement Association Lamb Stand.… Continue reading

Michala Challen, a 2012 graduate of Findlay High School and Agricultural Education student at Liberty-Benton High School was presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company.  Michala is the daughter of Mike and Staci Challen, and received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience.  Challen’s significant experiences and accomplishments include receiving the Ag Credit 110% Award, and she was involved in such career development events as soil judging and equine management.  Her Supervised Agricultural Experience projects have included horse production, pasture management, and fence improvements.  Michala plans to study animal science in college and pursue a related career in either animal science or equine science.  Mark Badertscher was Michala’s agricultural education instructor at Liberty-Benton High School.

The DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award celebrates its 65^th anniversary in 2012.  Over these 65 years more than 168,000 high school seniors from across the country have received the award, which has become a symbol for excellence and the school’s highest agricultural honor. … Continue reading

One of the most hazardous industries in the United States is agriculture. As a result, many injuries and illnesses occur to farmers and ranchers almost everyday across the nation.

Farmers and ranchers, and the general public are often injured when agricultural machinery is involved in roadway incidents. To increase the awareness of the limitations of agricultural machinery in traveling speed and maneuverability the National Safety Council will observe the National Farm Safety and Health Week focusing on this issue from September 17 to 21.

Planned events include daily activities such as a seat belt awareness challenge for all students and staff, a drive-your-tractor-to-school day, a Farm Safety Day for all Miami East second graders, and a Hunter Safety Awareness night before a home football game.

As you travel the rural roads of Miami County please drive slowly and cautiously. Farmers can’t maneuver or slow as quickly as a passenger vehicle. Farmers also drive their equipment on the road during all hours of the day and night.… Continue reading

A local FFA chapter has developed a plan to tackle an environmental issue in the community, and now its FFA members have received a national grant to bring their ideas to life.
The Jackson Center FFA received a $1960.00 grant from the National FFA Organization’s Living to Serve: Environmental Grant program and will begin their yearlong environmental project when the school year resumes. The Living to Serve: Environmental Grants are provided through funding from CSX, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
The National FFA Organization makes grant funds available for FFA chapters to develop service-learning projects that impact environmental issues in their community. Chapters may apply for up to $2,000 to support yearlong service-learning projects focused on developing and implementing projects that address local environmental needs. The service-learning method challenged members to identify, research, develop and implement solutions to needs within their school or community.
These projects illustrate the final line of the FFA motto (“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve”) by encouraging FFA members to unite in service within their communities.… Continue reading

On September 21st, the Colonel Crawford  FFA chapter will be holding the annual Fall Chicken & Pork Chop BBQ dinner that is open to the public.  The meal will consist of your choice of a half a chicken or boneless pork chop, corn, applesauce, roll, and your choice of desert and drink. The BBQ will be located in the Ag shop, directly behind the school, at the big garage door, from 4-7:00.

There will be a limited number of extra chicken and pork at the door. The tickets for this event are $8, so give us a call at (419)-562-6755 to reserve your tickets, and an FFA member will be willing to help you with any questions.  The BBQ is being held on a Friday night during football season; the Colonel Crawford Eagles will be playing the Lucas Cubs.  The profits will benefit a senior in the form of a scholarship, and also will help to send some of our members to the National FFA Convention in late October.… Continue reading

By Jessica Davis, Hiland FFA Chapter Reporter

On July 27-28, Hiland FFA Officers had their annual Officer Retreat. Officer Retreat was held at Raber’s 40 Acres. The purpose of Officer Retreat is to bond with each other and to plan out the schedule for the upcoming school year, as well as to review officer duties, set goals for the chapter, learn leadership skills and to encourage teamwork among the officer team. Officers attending were President: Mac Cordle, Vice President: Megan Hippert, Secretary: Rachelle Yoder, Treasurer: Taylor Raber, Reporter: Jessica Davis, Student Advisor: Grant Mast, and Historian: Brandon Kozak.

The officer team participated in several activities, including the slip-n-slide, leadership sessions, playing bocce ball, planning meals, and grocery shopping for items to make for their meals. Ms. Albright allowed 5-10 minute breaks between different activities. They had several leadership sessions and team building activities that focused on relationships, characteristics of leadership, and strengths.The… Continue reading

INDIANAPOLIS—The National FFA Organization recently selected the Fort Loramie FFA Chapter as a 3-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program from a pool of more than 660 candidates nationwide. The chapter members have been invited to attend the 85^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 24-27, where they will be recognized for this honor.

The award program is sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. The National FFA Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters for developing and conducting a detailed Program of Activities (POA). Each activity provides opportunities for members to excel in one of three areas: student, chapter, or community development.

The application highlighted several activities in which the Fort Loramie FFA participated. Activities include promoting scholarship among FFA members, encouraging students to enter agriculturally-related fields, providing opportunities for financial literacy, participating in leadership development activities, showing appreciation for school employees, growing and selling flowers in the chapter’s greenhouse, having a food stand at local festivals, and helping to make consumers aware of current agricultural industry issues.… Continue reading

NDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012/National FFA Organization) — The National FFA Organization, Rural TV, iHigh.com and Alltech have joined together to enable FFA to deliver educational materials and programs to middle- and high-school students across the U.S. through TV and Internet broadcasts.

FFA programming can now be accessed 24 hours a day by visiting iHigh.com/FFA. Programming includes state FFA convention sessions, National FFA Convention & Expo sessions, coverage of the 2012 FFA Alumni Development Conference and local FFA events.

“The new digital distribution options will allow more students, FFA members, teachers and FFA alumni to participate in major activities, such as state and national FFA conventions. FFA members who can’t attend those events will be able to share and benefit from educational and motivational presentations at the events,” said Dwight Armstrong, chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization. “Rural TV, Alltech and iHigh understand the value of helping FFA build an educational pipeline for future workers and innovators in agriculture while also building leaders that strengthen local communities.”… Continue reading

By Jessica Millenbaugh, Colonel Crawford FFA Chapter Reporter