PALMYRA, Ohio — The Southeast FFA chapter held a meeting April 21. Upcoming events include state convention May 5-6, which 30 members will be attending. The annual petting zoo, where kids from the elementary school will interact with animals and learn about tractor safety, will be held May 25 at the high school.
Recent events include the Ohio Meats Evaluation Online Career Development Event. Participants ranked Kelsea Ebie, 31st; Ashley Hench, 40th; Olivia Shaulis, 40th; Sierra Thomas, 40th; and Seth Johnson, 65th. As an overall team they placed 10th in the state. The FFA chapter also donated $200 to the Church Crop World Services.
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MINERVA, Ohio — Three students from the Minerva FFA chapter attended the dairy judging competition at ATI in Wooster April 9. Team members included: Britney Wayts, Jonathan Lucas, and Bryce Fankhauser.
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WEST SALEM, Ohio — On April 6, the Northwestern Ag Ed Department animal science and ag production classes toured the Case Farms bird processing facility and Heffelfinger Meats for a field trip. They watched the complete slaughter of broiler chickens at Case Farms and also the complete slaughter of a hog and steer. Rick Heffelfinger took the classes through the meat coolers and explained the hanging carcass parts as well as the tags on them.
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HANOVERTON, Ohio — The United Local FFA celebrated its 61st anniversary at the annual 2015-2016 banquet April 7. Awards were handed out for horse judging, wildlife, Envirothon, general livestock judging, dairy judging, creed speaking, beginning prepared speaking, prepared speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and parliamentary procedure.
Some of the year’s contest highlights included McKenzie Walton’s perfect score on her secretary’s book, and J.R. Himes placed third on the online state dairy test. Rebecca Bock made a return trip to state contest in the extemporaneous speaking contest.
Students also received certificates for helping build the educational fair booth and working at the All County FFA Alumni food co-op at the fair. Some $600 in scholarships had been awarded to United members from the food co-op. This year, five members were awarded their State FFA Degree: Kelly Heffinger, Zak Tomlinson, Brooke Hofmeister, McKenzie Walton and Austin White. They will receive their degrees at the Ohio State FFA Convention, May 6.
Four graduate members received their American Degrees in October. They were Dawn Berry, James Kataro II, Steven Rudibaugh, and Haley Vint. Joseph Kataro had his American Degree application accepted at the state level this year, and is awaiting finalization by the National FFA. He will receive his degree this October.
The Star Greenhand award was given to freshman Chyanne Narehood, for being the most active first-year member. The Star Chapter Farmer Degree was awarded to J.R. Himes. The Agro Business award was presented to Zak Tomlinson.
The Star Greenhand award was given to freshman Chyanne Narehood, for being the most active first-year member. The Star Chapter Farmer Degree was awarded to J.R. Himes. The Agro Business award was presented to Zak Tomlinson.
The Honorary Membership was awarded to Hanover Farms and was received by Richard Zehentbauer. Richard and Neil Zehentbauer donated the use of their equipment in the past years and donated the combing and hauling of the grain this year. The combine used was donated by Evolution Ag. The retiring 2015-2016 officers inducted the 2016 -2017 officers, including McKenzie Walton, president; Austin White, vice president; Brennon Jenkins, sentinel; Shawn Grubb, student adviser; Becky Bernet, secretary; Brooke Hofmeister, treasurer; and Kelly Heffinger, reporter.
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SMITHVILLE, Ohio — Members, families, alumni, friends, and supporters of the Smithville FFA met on a recent Saturday for its annual banquet at Smithville High School. The annual Blue and Gold Award was presented to Bob Platt. Platt assists annually with the Toy Tractor Show among other activities. The Honorary Chapter Membership was awarded to Sean Kelly to recognize his work that goes above and beyond to help plan for events, prepare the facilities, and hard work as the school’s custodian.
The Dekalb Outstanding Senior Award was presented to Frank Becker, and the Star Chapter Degree was presented to Thomas Becker. The Star Greenhand Degree was presented to Abby Stoll, the chapter freshmen member who has been the most active in ag class and FFA activities. Jacob Studer was awarded for beef production, dairy placement, and dairy production. Becker was awarded in vegetable production. Brett Bauman was awarded in fruit production and has also been selected as one of the top four in the state contest. The state fourth-placing Novus Parli-Pro team each was honored with a garment bag. Members included Abby Stoll, Noah Navratil, Savanna Rummell, Joel Shoup, Sydney Tekemple, Austin Dotterer, Talia Butler, Adam Baltic and Braden Young.
Earning the State Gold Rating for officer’s books were Willow Baer for the secretary’s book,
John Kelby for the treasurer’s book, and Megan Baltic for the reporter’s book. The State Degree was earned by Becker, Kelby, Jacob Studer, and Chris Tomic. The American FFA Degree was earned by Wyatt Baer and Wren Hostetler. The chapter’s top fruit salesmen included Drey Crawford at the top, with Brett Bauman placing second highest, and Kiersten Sugg placing third.
Ag Scholarships were presented to Austin Dotterer in Ag 1, Leah Gochnauer in Ag 2, Tristen Stoll in Ag 3, Emily Horst in Ag 4, and to Becker in Ag Leadership. A new tradition began of earning letter winners. Members obtaining this award were Adam Baltic, Megan Baltic, Talia Butler, Austin Dotterer, Maddie Lance, Noah Navratil, Savanna Rummell, Joel Shoup, Abby Stoll, Sydney Tekemple, Casey Tipple, Reilly VanLanen and Braden Young.
The $500 college scholarships were presented to Becker and Emily Horst. Thomas Becker, Megan Baltic, and Willow Bear were presented with The Washington Leadership Scholarship, an $800 value from the alumni to attend this educational program this summer. Presiding over the chapter for the 2016-2017 year will be Jacob Studer, president; John Welty, vice president; Willow Baer, secretary; Megan Baltic, treasurer; Tommy Becker, assistant treasurer; Abby Stoll, reporter; Braden Young, student advisor; Chris Tomis, sentinel; and Maddie Lance, historian.
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SULLIVAN, Ohio — The Black River FFA Outdoor Power team competed in the District 3 Career Development Event April 7. Overall, the team of Brandon Heath, Daniel Gorey and Tony Strojin finished third.
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UTICA, Ohio — Members and family of the Utica FFA gathered at the high school April 13 for the chapter banquet. There were more than 100 guests and about 50 members present.
Dinner was provided by Lee’s chicken and FFA alumni. During the awards program, chapter officers were changed.
Those recognized included classes, top sellers for chapter fundraisers, CDE participants, Agriscience Fair participants, National Convention attendees, donkey basketball players, farmers share breakfast attendees, and state officer candidates.
