FFA News

By Matt Reese

The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP) teamed up with Mt. Gilead teachers, administrators and FFA students to improve awareness about the importance of nutrition. The result is the Food for  Thought Challenge.

The nine participating FFA chapters will make presentations at the Ohio FFA Convention next May and the winning chapter will receive $2,000 from the OSGMP. Participating FFA chapters submitted campaign entries in September and were selected in October based on the originality of their campaign ideas. They were each given $500 from the OSGMP to develop their campaigns.

The participating Food for Thought FFA chapters have already begun implementing their campaigns, which include promoting the use of student food logs, organizing educational fairs with health-related groups and providing healthy snacks between classes. Along with Mt. Gilead, the participating FFA Chapters are: Ridgemont, Northwestern, Clear Fork, London, Miami East, Ridgedale, North Union, and Twin Valley South.… Continue reading

“There is more to the bean than meets the eye”

Benjamin Logan High School Agricultural Science II students recently utilized materials provided by a Logan County Education Foundation Walter and Marie Lamb Memorial Building Grant to purchase a soybean science kit.  The soybean science kit was used by the students to present information and activities to Benjamin Logan Fourth Grade students.  The purpose of the grant was to allow students to be able to:

• Show that  science and engineering can be fun and enjoyable, as well as educational
• Provide teachers with engaging, interesting hands-on experiments
• Increase awareness about using renewable natural resources for making industrial products
• Teach and demonstrate fundamental principles of sciences (chemistry, biology and engineering)
• Demonstrate the concept that agriculture is the business of generating raw materials for industry

Students learned about types of beans such as soybeans, black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans. Students also learned about the different jobs such as nutritionist, chemist, agronomist, geneticist, and entomologist.… Continue reading

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, January 17, 2012/National FFA Organization) – With more than 100,000 new farmers needed over the next few years, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the young leaders of the National FFA Organization a challenge in 2011. “I would like you to with your fellow students and the adult leadership of the organization to develop a series of recommendations around the upcoming Farm Bill that will encourage more young people to pursue careers in farming,” Vilsack said.

It was a challenge that the national FFA officer team for 2010-11 took seriously. The students immediately began work- framing key questions, consulting FFA members, engaging leaders in agriculture, compiling input and formulating recommendations.

“Never before had we been invited to submit direct input to the Secretary of Agriculture that could enhance the ability of agricultural education and FFA to help students succeed and strengthen American agriculture,” said Riley Pagett, national FFA President, 2010-11.… Continue reading

International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership Program Goes to Southeast Asia this May

INDIANAPOLIS – The National FFA Organization is now accepting applications for its 2012 International Collegiate Agricultural Leadership (I-CAL) program. FFA will take 12 students to Southeast Asia this spring; the tentative program dates are May 19th-June 1st.
This conference allows students the opportunity to study global agriculture and international marketing. Students will learn about current international trade and cultural issues and gain awareness of how international markets for agricultural products operate. Upon completion of the program, students will give educational presentations to local groups and organizations about their experiences.
The I-CAL program was developed as a partnership with the U.S. Grains Council and The Grains Foundation. The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST. Potential participants can learn more about the program and download an application at www.ffa.org/collegiate.

About The Grains Foundation
The Grains Foundation was established by members of the U.S.… Continue reading

By: Katelyne Ackley, chapter reporter

On January 9, 2012 the Benjamin Logan FFA had 31 chapter degrees given out during the January FFA meeting.

Following the meeting was cake and pictures.

To receive a chapter degree the requirements are: “Received the Greenhand FFA Degree, Satisfactorily completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, Have an approved SAE in operation, Enrolled in an agriculture course, Participated in the planning and implementation of at least three official FFA chapter activities, Earned and productively invested at least $150, or have worked at least 45 hours outside of scheduled class time, or a combination of the two, through their SAE, Have developed plans for continued growth and improvement of their SAE, Effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes, Demonstrated five parliamentary law procedures, Show progress toward achievement in FFA award programs, Have a satisfactory academic record, Submitted a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree, Complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service activities.”… Continue reading

Montana Fry, a freshman member of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter, was recently awarded an Animal Systems Grant from the National FFA to help fund her supervised agriculture experience program. The $1000.00 grant will be used by Montana to improve her small swine operation. She plans to construct a small farrowing barn and purchase a bred gilt to begin a small herd of pigs. Eventually she hopes to raise her own market hogs to show and sell at the Ross County Fair. Montana was selected for the grant from among thousands of applicants across the United States. She hopes to continue her interest in livestock at the collegiate and professional levels by completing a degree program in Animal Science through Ohio State University and gaining employment in the swine industry someday. Congratulations Montana!… Continue reading

On Saturday, December 3^rd, four students from Zane Trace competed in the Ohio FFA Food Science Career Development Event held at the Ohio State University.  This year’s team consisted of Sarah Cox, Jessie Proehl, Kasandra Dalton and Eva Bugg.  The students participated in five different activities that mimic the skills performed by food scientists in their day to day work.  These activities included: an online test over food chemistry and food safety, a triangle taste test, aroma identification, consumer complaint letter response and team development of a new food product.

Participation in the State Food Science CDE has become a tradition for the ZT FFA over the years and this year’s team was able to take this tradition further than it has ever been taken.  The team placed 4^th overall and Sarah Cox took 2^nd place honors individually. The group will receive a banner to display in the agriculture classroom for their efforts. … Continue reading

By: Emily Cordle, chapter reporter

Every year, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA chapter sells fruit in the fall of the year as a fundraiser. This is the main source of funds for the chapter and a common fundraiser for most FFA chapters across Ohio. The chapter starts up their annual fruit sale fundraiser as the Fairfield County Fair kicks off and comes to a close the second week of November.  After all members turned in their orders, the final count was 1780 boxes and baskets of fruit. This is a huge success for the FFA chapter! The top two sellers this year were Chapter President Nathan Seitz with 92-1/2 boxes and Chapter Reporter Emily Cordle with 59 boxes.  The chapter sells over 23 different combinations of fruit and 2 different sizes of fruit baskets. If anyone compares the chapter’s fruit sale to local grocery stores, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA chapter gives you more for your money! … Continue reading

The January 2012 Miami East FFA Member of the Month is Sarah Pyers. She is the daughter of Kevin and Lori Pyers of Troy.

Sarah is a junior and third year member of the Miami East FFA Chapter. She has participated in attending the State and National FFA Conventions. She is preparing for the upcoming public speaking contest. Additionally, she has served as a fill-in officer at chapter FFA meetings. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience Program is chrysanthemums flowers.

Every month of the school year the Miami East 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 medallion on celebration of their accomplishment.… Continue reading

The Miami East FFA Alumni Chapter is sponsoring a Basket Bingo on Sunday, January 29th  at 2:00pm in the Miami East High Cafeteria. This is a change in location from previous years. Beautiful and functional Longaberger Baskets will be the prize for the 20 games, with the grand prize being a retired basket feature. Doors will open at 1:30.

Tickets are $20 for the 20 games and a raffle entry. There will also be raffles, extra games, and concessions sales offered. All winning tie-breaking cards with a consolation prize of a Longaberger product.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Miami East FFA Alumni Chapter at (937) 335-7070 ext. 3212 or by purchasing them at the door.

All funds raised will be donated to the Miami East FFA Chapter in support of their community activities and leadership development.… Continue reading

A new group has been formed to support the local agricultural education program while being advocates for agricultural education. The Fort Loramie Ag Boosters are alumni of the FFA, parents of FFA members, business people of the community, farmers, and all have a deep interest in the future of tomorrow’s agriculture. You do not need to be a former FFA member to participate!

Ag Booster members can assist the local agricultural education program in a number of ways, including providing expertise and experience for students in the classroom or while preparing for contests, chaperoning FFA chapter events, helping to develop work-based learning sites for students’ SAE programs, assisting in chapter events, mentoring students, fundraising to provide scholarships and financial support to the chapter, providing advocacy for the program at the local, state, and national levels, and working with the chapter on community service activities.

The next Fort Loramie Ag Boosters meeting will be held Wednesday, January 11^th at 7:30 pm in the high school Chorus room.… Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter

Alanna Rowlands is spending a year at Anthony Wayne High School.  She is from Sydney Australia and was very excited to become a member of Anthony Wayne’s FFA Program.  Alanna is a very positive girl and is extremely enthused to be a part of the FFA program as Australia does not have a program quite like this.  Alanna says they have agricultural classes that they can take throughout their high school years but not to the extent that we offer.  She is passionate about nutrition and is currently in a Food Science course where she is taught by our Agricultural advisor Whitney Short about the nutrional value of various foods.  We are all really excited about having Alanna as a member of our program, and many students are learning about how school is in Australia.  Alanna says “I’m very glad to have the opportunity to be a part of the FFA program, as this is a great experience for me because we don’t have an agricultural program like this at home.”… Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter

On Tuesday December 13, 2011, five students competed in the annual District Nursery Landscape CDE held at Penta Career Center. The five students from Anthony Wayne that competed were Abbey VanTyne, Lucas Froelich, Dusty Moosman, Matt Osborne, and Jarrett Gleason.  These students were required to identify approximately 100 different horticultural plants, seeds, insects, and diseases which were displayed on slides, photographs, and drawings. They were also required  to demonstrate the ability to identify, select, use and maintain appropriate supplies and equipment for nursery and landscape operations, including equipment and procedures in mechanization and automation.  These students did a fantastic job and placed 4th overall.… Continue reading

On December 1, 2011 Smith Concrete unveiled a much anticipated masterpiece at Warren High School. One of the company’s concrete trucks was painted to be FFA-themed as a show of support for  the National FFA Organization.  The company will be using this truck not only in Ohio, but in West Virginia as well.

Robbie Clifton, President of Warren FFA, was impressed by the gesture.  “Smith Concrete has done much more than anyone imagined with this truck, and it is purely awesome to see the great job that they did.”

This truck is the tenth truck that Smith Concrete has had specially painted to raise awareness for a nonprofit organization. The work involved with painting the truck took over 100 hours and several tries to get it just right.  Those present at the revealing of the truck were Dick Wilson, General Manager  of Smith Concrete Co., Ross Snyder, Vice President of Sales, Dick Bennett, Plant Manager, and Rick Kemper, Operations Manager. … Continue reading

By: Elizabeth Overholt, chapter reporter

On December 17th, 2011 the West Holmes FFA sent members to compete at the State Parliamentary Procedure contest in Columbus. The team placed 4th in state, marking the 4^th year in a row West Holmes has earned this honor. The team members consisted of Casey Schlauch, Travis Campbell, Liz Overholt, Tawnya Eckerle, Sam Krejci, Madee Brewer, Mandy Taylor, and Jesse Wines. The FFA parliamentary contest is a mock business meeting in which the team must conduct the meeting in a proper way handling all the motions and abilities properly. They also take a general knowledge test prior to the contest to decide the seeding of the team. Going in to the contest the team was seeded into the 4th room in the prelim round. The team came out of the prelim and placed 1st moving into the State Finals. The team went in the finals and placed 4th in state.… Continue reading

By: Jessica Millenbaugh, chapter reporter

Pioneer in partnership with Colonel Crawford FFA have been busy this month with activities that include adopting a family for Christmas, fruit sales, meeting and contests.
The chapter adopted a family from turning point, a domestic violence shelter in Marion. They used money made from the fruit sale to purchase items for a young mother and 4 year old daughter that was at the shelter. The community service committee went shopping and bought items from their wish list. After the Dec. meeting the chapter wrapped the gifts.

The fruit sale was a success with the chapter selling 360 units of fruit. Profits from the sale were used to purchase gifts for the adopted family, for entry fees for spring skills contests, and will also be used to put on the chapters Annual Spring Banquet. Thanks to all for supporting the chapter with their purchases.
At our December meeting on the 14th, the chapter discussed and passed paying for and participating in the Dist.… Continue reading

One of the world’s largest animal health companies will provide more than $1 million in sponsorships of National FFA Organization programs, local chapters and more this year.

New Jersey-based Pfizer Animal Health is one of the largest contributors to the National FFA Foundation Leadership Fund, which provides unrestricted funds for FFA programs. Pfizer Animal Health has funded the development of the new National FFA Veterinary Science Career Development Event and will sponsor the first event in 2012. Through the National Association of Agricultural Educators, Pfizer Animal Health sponsors a series of teacher workshops at the National FFA Convention, which draws more than 50,000 students, advisors and industry professionals each year. Pfizer is a participant in the convention’s Agricultural Career Show and Collegiate Career Expo.

Pfizer Animal Health also provides significant funds to help their retailers support local FFA chapters.

“Pfizer Animal Health is proud of its relationship with the National FFA Foundation.… Continue reading

By: Meghan Bruns, chapter reporter

In an effort to learn more about various corn hybrids and their traits, Fort Loramie FFA members partnered with Trupointe Cooperative and Laneview Farms to put out a research corn plot.  The goal of the project was to compare various corn hybrids to track variety differences, product advancement, and to study competition in our local area.

Students worked over the summer plant 18 different corn hybrids.  They also met with agronomists in August for a “Plot School” that included training on plant populations, planting depth, growing degree days, plant growth and development, and compared the hybrids planted.

Recently members helped harvest the corn plot to see which type of corn had the best outcome over the crop season.  Students measured row lengths and learned to determine percent moisture and test weight using crop samples. FFA members later calculated the yield of each hybrid.  Yield calculations will be shared with area farmers and seed corn companies.… Continue reading

On November 22nd, Buckeye Central High School hosted the 2011 County Parliamentary Procedure contest.  Competing for the contest were Buckeye Central, Wynford, and Colonel Crawford.  The Colonel Crawford had a senior team and a junior team. The senior team placed 2nd and the junior team placed fourth.
The sub-district parli competition was held on November 30th at Wynford High School. The Colonel Crawford FFA Senior and Junior Parliamentary Procedure team both competed.  The senior team finished sixth out of seven.  The junior team got third out of four.  Team members demonstrated to judges how to effectively conduct a business meeting. They had to properly bring up and dispose of 6 abilities during the course of the timed 15 minute meeting.
Members of the senior team are Hannah Yaussy, Jessica Lohr, Wes Pollock, Jesse Sellman, Jessica Millenbaugh, Ashley Geiger, Wyatt Caldwell, and Kendra Hudson. Junior team members are Ashton Bell, Dalton Hoover, Tony Gwirtz, Katie Cramer, Cheyenne Johnson, Curtis Hatcher, Travis Bogard, Rebecca Enright, and Andy Crock.… Continue reading

By: Emily Cordle, reporter

The Agricultural Communications CDE team of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA chapter competed and won the State CDE contest on Saturday, December 3^rd. The contest was held at The Ohio State University.

The team, coached by advisor Scott Sharp, consisted of Alex Norris, Nick Brumfield, and Sierra Jepsen. Individually, Nick placed 2^nd, Sierra placed 3^rd, and Alex placed 5^th. This is the 7^th year that the Agricultural Communications CDE team of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA chapter has won the State contest.

The team now has three members, instead of five, who must do a 15-minute presentation on an agricultural-related topic, take an editing quiz, and participate in their own practicum. The three practicums are Social Media, Press Release, and Graphic Design. The team will be heading to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the National Agricultural Communications CDE contest in the fall.… Continue reading