FFA News

By: Skyler Taulbee

The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter had their first annual administrative dinner on December 5, 2011. The dinner was a success. The Superintendent Dale Robertson enjoyed his dinner along with Roger Ellis, Dianna Whitis, Kathy Blevins, Yvonne Shuler, David Ulrich, Mary Johnson, Jeremy Bendel, Cyndi Brill and FFA Advisor Carmen Kennel.

Officers Darian Rader, Katie Bratton, Joan Anderson, Rebecca Smith, Tabby Blevins and Skyler Taulbee discussed past and future events along with goals of the FFA Chapter.  Cyndi Brill was the guest speaker and shared information with the others about the future of agricultural education in a high school setting. They all enjoyed the evening and got to know a little more about the jobs offered through the agriculture industry and how FFA will help the students in their future.… Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter
The Anthony Wayne Parliamentary Procedure team has put numerous hours preparing for their district competition. Parliamentary Procedure is the proper method to run business meetings, according to Robert’s Rules of Order. FFA chapter officer teams and members compete with other FFA chapters to test which group is able to run the most efficient and effective FFA business meeting. In addition, students take 30 question written exam to test their Parliamentary Procedure knowledge. The Anthony Wayne Parliamentary Procedure team consisted of Andrew Teet, Abbey VanTyne, DJ Gase, William Lemle, Tessa VerStraete, Lucas Froelich, Josh Metzger, and Justin Kuhon. The team placed second at sub-district and earned a district competition bid. District competition was held on December 6, 2011 at Penta Career Center. Anthony Wayne placed 4th out of a total of 7 teams.… Continue reading

In order to bring awareness of the importance of following safety tips during this hunting season, the Miami East FFA Chapter Environmental Committee sponsored a Hunter Safety Poster Contest for the students at Miami East Junior High.

The overall winner was 8th grader Ashley Burns. Her poster was selected because it displayed an overall alertness of the hunting safety tips as required by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

For her prize, Ashley received a hunter/safety orange Miami East FFA T-shirt and camouflage hat sponsored by the Farm Bureau.

The Miami East FFA Environmental Committee encourages all hunters to “Avoid Problems, Be Prepared!” Please follow these guidelines while you hunt:

1.      Get the landowner’s permission to hunt.
2.      Buy your annual hunting license and deer permit early.
3.       Make sure your gun is plugged and not capable of holding more than three (3) shells.
4.       Make sure you meet hunter orange requirements.… Continue reading

By: Janel Broering, chapter reporter

The St. Henry FFA sent care packages as a community service project for Veteran’s Day.  FFA members brought and packaged snack items for nine people in the service.  FFA Members helping with this event included Isaac Marchal, Alex Lefeld, Janel Franck, Lydia Stachler, Krista Broering, Michaela Siefring, Janel Broering, Chad Depweg, Jennifer Werling, Ryan Broering, Aaron Marchal, Brent Miller, Austin Jacobs, and Zach Siefring.… Continue reading

By: Elizabeth Overholt, chapter reporter

On November 18-19, 2011 the West Holmes FFA held the annual Greenhand Lock-In in the High School gymnasium. At this lock-in members participated in fun and educational evening geared to prepare them for success in their FFA career. The evening started out with icebreakers prepared by the Senior and Officers with added participation from the state officers in attendance Marie Arnold and A.J Hildebrandt who are currently serving Ohio FFA as District officers.

After the icebreakers, the freshman members broke into groups with the state officers to participate in their workshop entitled “I can”. The workshop allowed members to learn how to set goals and eventually make them. In the workshop members made an “I can” box, which allowed them to be creative. Once the workshop ended freshman members enjoyed watching a humorous parliamentary presentation. After the presentation, freshman attended sessions prepared by the seniors and officers.… Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

On November 30^th, 2011 the Preble Shawnee FFA chapter’s Parliamentary Procedure teams participated in the districts contest at Ansonia High School. Both of the teams did exceptionally well. The Beginning team placed second and the advanced team third. The beginning team was Knox Wilson, Alyssa McQuiston, Skyler Taulbee, Zach Nicely, Joshua Beyersdoerfer, Courtney Roberts, Abi Jones, and Eli Belvo. The Advance teams was made up of Darian Rader, Joan Anderson, Skyler Taulbee, Zach Nicely, Tabby Blevins, Joshua Beyersdorfer, Amber Booth, and Abi Jones.

 … Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter
The Monclova Community Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to families within the community during the Christmas season. This year, Anthony Wayne FFA members have decided to take part in this effort to improve the lives of these families and children that are struggling.

The FFA citizenship committee established this as one of their activities for this year to make a difference in the community, while also including several FFA members in the activity. The metal fabrication class shopped for the gifts for a 9-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. The citizenship committee wrapped the gifts, and four additional students delivered the gifts to the Monclova Community Center. This was a great way to improve the lives of children during the holiday season while also teaching high school students the importance of giving.… Continue reading

Recently, on December 3rd, the Miami Trace FFA Ag Communications team, and the Food science teams competed at the FFA District competition held at Falicity High school, and at State competition held at the Ohio State campus. The Ag Communications Team placed 3^rd overall at the District competition, with Katie Frost placing 4^th place, and Hannah Peterson and Madison Hisey placing 2^nd. At the State Competition, the team placed 5^th overall. The overall high placed individual receiving 1^st was Hannah Peterson. During the contest, the members had to give proposals, create a web page, and write articles.

The Food Science team placed 3^rd at the district competition, with Emily Ratliff placing 5^th overall at the competition. At State, the team placed 7th overall in the contest. Its members included the top four members of the team who were Judith Straathof, Emily Ratliff, Rachel McClish, and Jessica Little.… Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

This year the Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter had a welcoming banquet to all the Greenhand members of Chapter. This banquet recognized our first year members and they received awards. The Greenhand members are enthusiastic about being recognized as a member of the Chapter. There was a dinner and guest speakers that talked about how this chapter will benefit them. This was held November 28^th.… Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

On November 14, 2011 the Preble Shawnee FFA chapter’s Parliamentary Procedure team participated in the sub-districts contest at National Trail. Both of the teams did very well. The Beginning team placed second and the advanced team also placed second. The teams will be moving on to districts on November 30, 2011. The beginning team was made up of Knox Wilson, Alyssa McQuiston, Skyler Taulbee, Zach Nicely, Joshua Beyersdoerfer, Courtney Roberts, Abi Jones, and  Ellie Belvo. The Advanced team was made up of Darian Rader, Joan Anderson, Skyler Taulbee, Zach Nicely, Tabby Blevins, Joshua Beyersdorfer, Amber Booth, and Abi Jones.

 … Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

On November 22, 2011 The Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter hosted a Cardboard city event. The members had to bring in cardboard boxes and set up their own houses. The weather was not very agreeable with this event, but it showed the members that it was not very easy to be homeless and that there are many struggles in living in a cardboard box. There was a guest speaker that came to teach us about the reasoning’s of being homeless. FFA members learned that living in a box is not the easiest thing to do.… Continue reading

By: Meghan Bruns, Fort Loramie FFA Reporter

The Fort Loramie FFA Chapter recently placed 2^nd in the sub-district Advanced Parliamentary Procedure competition. After placing second at sub-districts the team moved on to compete at Districts. Parliamentary Procedure is a leadership contest which consists of members conducting an organized meeting by following proper rules and procedures. The advanced Parliamentary Procedure team consisted of President, Katelyn Seger; Vice President, Meghan Bruns; Treasurer, Taylor Broerman; Secretary, Amy Holthaus; Sentinel, Taylor Timmerman; Reporter, Hailey Wray; Student Advisor, Andy Meyer; and Member, Matt Langenkamp.

The chapter also sent two Greenhand teams to compete in the Greenhand Parliamentary Procedure Contest.  The Greenhand contest is for first year FFA members.  Team A members were President, Amanda Seger; Vice President, Sara Bornhorst; Secretary, Lindsey Pleiman; Treasurer, Bailey Koverman; Reporter, Hailey Wray; Sentinel, Thomas Meyer; Student Advisor, David Holthaus; and Member, Elizabeth Kunkler.  Team A placed 3^rd in the Greenhand Parliamentary Procedure contest. … Continue reading

By: Elizabeth Overholt, chapter reporter

On November 21^st, the West Holmes FFA sent members to compete at district parliamentary procedure contest at Indian Valley High School. The contest requires the team to properly run a business meeting with the card provided that includes motions and abilities on it. Members also take a general knowledge test over parliamentary procedure.    In the contest, the senior team placed 2^nd as a team out of 6 teams and qualified for the state contest. The team consisted of Casey Schlauch, Travis Campbell, Liz Overholt, Mandy Taylor, Tawnya Eckerle, Sam Krejci, Madee Brewer, and Jesse Wines. The chapter also had a beginning team compete and place 5^th at Districts. The team consisted of Madee Brewer, Mandy Taylor, Dustin Niehaus, Doug Giauque, Alex Snow, Shyann Kick, Nikki Wagner, and Jesse Wines. Congratulations to both teams on job well done. The senior team will go on to compete at state contest in Columbus on December 17^th, 2011.… Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

On December 1^s, 2011, the Preble Shawnee FFA chapter attended the Cincinnati Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights. Our first semester of the year has been very productive and successful; therefore, we planned this trip as a reward for our members’ hard work so far. All members who went on the trip had a wonderful time and were thankful for being given the privilege to attend the event.… Continue reading

By: Meghan Bruns, Fort Loramie FFA Reporter

Fort Loramie FFA members have been working hard the past couple weeks preparing for numerous Career Development Events (CDE).  Just recently members competed in the Food Science and Technology CDE.  The Fort Loramie FFA sent two teams to the District 5 contest.  Team A consisted of Elizabeth Kunkler, Hailey Wray, Amanda Seger, and Bailey Koverman and placed 4^th overall in the contest. Team B consisted of Lindsey Pleiman, Austin Barlage, Alyssa Campbell, Laura Poeppelman, and Jordan Meyer, and placed 12^th in the contest.   Members competed in a team activity to develop a food product, design the product label, and calculate nutrition fact label for the product.  Each member also works individually by taking an online written exam, completing aroma and taste tests, responding to a customer complaint letter, and identifying safety and sanitation problems in food processing facilities. Their guidance and coaching was given by the Fort Loramie FFA advisor, Mrs.… Continue reading

By: Skyler Taulbee

On December 3rd, 2011, the Preble Shawnee FFA Chapter went to the First Church of God in Eaton, Ohio and helped the Blue Star Mothers. The FFA members and the Blue Star Mothers collected donations from community members and made packages for soldiers who are currently stationed away from their families. The packages will be sent to the soldiers for the holidays.

 … Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter

On Friday November 18, the Anthony Wayne FFA Chapter held a Leadership Night for members from other FFA chapters to attend. Members from Anthony Wayne, Genoa, Wauseon, and other chapters attended the Leadership Night at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg.

A few of the state FFA officers came to the event to speak to the FFA members and did several activities. This year’s theme was “Get MOOtivated”, and the theme of the leadership workshops was “The Value of Me, The Value of We”.

State officers instructed the members to meet new people and talk to each other about their personal characteristics and their favorite part of FFA. After the night was over students were free to do recreational activities such as putt putt golf and ping pong. Overall, members enjoyed meeting new people and spending time with their state officers.… Continue reading

By: Tessa VerStraete, chapter reporter

The Anthony Wayne FFA Chapter held its annual Thanksgiving meal at their November Meeting on the evening of Monday, November 14, 2011. It has become a tradition for the Anthony Wayne Chapter to hold an entire Thanksgiving feast during the meeting.

Students sign up to bring specific items of food such as turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, and cookies. All members then get to enjoy their meal while listening to the meeting and being informed of the upcoming chapter  activities. The students also shared with the chapter that which they were thankful. Everyone enjoyed the food, and the tradition will continue in the years to come.… Continue reading

The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP) is sponsoring a statewide competition among FFA chapters to increase awareness about the nutritional value of a diet with whole grains. OSGMP awarded nine chapters* with $500 scholarships to implement programs in their school systems and will select one program as the winning chapter to award $2,000 for future program implementation.
The most recent campaign took place at Miami East High School, which went “healthy” during the week of November 14, designated as “Healthy Lifestyles Week.”
The school’s FFA “Healthy Lifestyle Committee” sponsored a “Food For Thought” log in which, students and staff recorded their food and drink consumption during a day. During study halls, students received a healthy snack for keeping their log updated. Snacks included an apple, orange or banana, a low-fat whole-grain snack bar, water and a non-fat yogurt. Dannon Company donated the yogurt.
Additionally, the high school attended a Healthy Lifestyles Fair during lunch.… Continue reading

By: Dani Sands, chapter reporter

Recently, several members of the Miami East FFA Chapter toured the Irish Acres Dairy Farm near Fort Loramie. They were given a tour by Craig Hall and learned a great deal about the day-to-day operations of a large, family-owned dairy farm.

Irish Acres milks 1,550 cows three times per day. During the tour, FFA members learned about the nutrition and health of the cows, the breeding and calving program, and manure removal. They got to see first-hand the milking parlor, bulk milk tank used for storage, cow stall barn, calving pens, bunker silo used for storage of silage feed,  and manure storage lagoon.

A highlight of the trip was seeing how the manure is processed that that it can be used for cow bedding by extracting the moisture.  Members commented a favorite was also seeing newly born bull twin calves. The tour was a special project of the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program of Activities Committee members.… Continue reading