ASHLAND, Ohio — The Mapleton FFA 2008 officer team traveled to the elementary school May 14 to conduct its annual Ag Day.
Each year, they speak to the preschool, kindergarten and first-grade students about some of the aspects of agriculture. This year, the officers set up five stations that each of the 160 students would visit.
The nutrition, tractor safety and poultry stations moved to each classroom. The nutrition station focused on what kinds of food are good for our bodies and where that food comes from. The tractor safety station reminded students how to behave around machinery. At the poultry station, the students were able to see and hear first-hand how poultry act. They were also able to hold the chicks and ducklings.
Two more stations were located outside. When visiting the cattle and swine stations, students climbed into the trailer to get a closer look. Two young pigs were brought for students to see, as well as a Jersey steer.
To remember their learning experience the children were given stickers, coloring books, pencils, balloons and erasers, along with a healthy snack.
The day before, May 13, Mapleton High School held its annual academic awards program.
Billy Keener was recognized for being chosen to receive the FFA DeKalb Award in March. Emily Ford was presented with one of the two Mapleton FFA Alumni Scholarships, as was Paige Rohr.
Jill Rohr received the Mapleton FFA Chapter scholarship.
ASHLAND, Ohio — Mapleton FFA held its annual fishing derby April 30. Ag students are permitted to fish, play corn hole and play hillbilly golf during their ag classes, study halls and lunch periods.
Every period, a tractor provided by Wynn Farms came back to the school to collect and drop off students. Students were given a relaxing hayride back to the pond.
During the lunch periods, students were provided with a lunch that included hot dogs, bratwursts, chips and pop.
Awards were also given for participants in the fishing derby. Frankie Brownson and Christina Hutman received the Angler Awards by catching to two bass with the largest surface areas. The smallest fish award was given to Shelby Emmons, who reeled in a 5-inch bluegill.
The longest fish award was given to Nick Rangel, who caught a 9-inch bass. The biggest bass award was given to Dustin Delisle for his 12-inch catch. Hillary Krause was given an award for the most fish caught, totaling eight.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Kate Booher of Laurel High School in New Castle, Pa., was recently presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company.
Booher, the daughter of Todd and Trinda Booher, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience. Booher’s significant experiences and accomplishments have included being chosen as the Pennsylvania Western Region Star Farmer; being The Pennsylvania Western Region Dairy Herd Proficiency Award winner; earning her FFA Keystone Degree; holding office in her FFA chapter; showing cows at local county fairs; and serving as the Pennsylvania Jersey Queen.
ASHLAND, Ohio — The Loudonville FFA chapter held its annual Farm Safety Day May 22 at C.E. Budd School.
All students received their own Rural Safety book. Fifth-grade and sixth-grade students completed the program, and spent the last half-hour of their school day rotating around four different stations on animal safety, fire safety, water safety and ATV safety.
The FFA members lectured for about five minutes then the groups of students rotated to the next station.
OBERLIN, Ohio — Firelands FFA student Veronica Thomas, a senior, has earned second place in the state Equine Management Career Development Event contest.
The event is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students current horse evaluation and selection techniques, as well as management of horses.
The contest was held in Columbus and 422 students from 114 schools participated. Thomas earned a state award plaque for her work.
Thomas also competed as part of a team, which earned 18th place. Team members were Ashlynn Yost and Shelby Balint.
