CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Eighteen members of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter participated in the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 22–25.
During this time, chapter members listened to motivational speakers at convention sessions and explored more than 500 booths featuring agricultural colleges and businesses at the career show.
While at the career show, students had the chance to learn about new varieties of crops that are being developed by Monsanto during a short seminar given in the Monsanto mobile lab.
Everyone who participated came back with great leadership skills to use in their chapter, school and community.
Abby Snyder, a member of the chapter, was named runner-up in the National FFA Agriscience Student of the Year competition during the convention.
Snyder earned the recognition due to her many years of researching the physical and sensory characteristics of beef from Highland cattle.
Snyder is currently a food science major at The Ohio State University.
Three members of the chapter also participated in the National FFA Agriscience Fair during the convention.
The three members qualified for the national competition by each placing first and receiving gold ratings during the Ohio Agriscience Fair last May.
Graduate member Hannah Cox presented her project about Promoting GFP, while sophomore members Nick Ganus and D.J. Jordan presented a team project about meat preservation methods.
WEST SALEM, Ohio — Northwestern FFA and student organization leaders came together Oct. 15 to discuss a charity dance. Senior Kristen Warner is researching cancer and the American Cancer Society for her Senior Seminar project.
As part of her project she is to organize and collect donations for the society.
The annual FFA Charity Dance was held Nov. 1 at Northwestern High School.
The $5 admission fee will go to the society. The chapter donated the reduced cost of the disc jockey service.
INDIANAPOLIS – The National FFA Organization recently selected from a pool of more than 600 candidates nationwide the Smithville FFA Chapter as a 3-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program.
The chapter members attended the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 22-25, where they were recognized for this honor.
The award program recognizes chapters for developing and conducting a detailed Program of Activities.
Each activity provides opportunities for members to excel in one of three areas: student, chapter or community development.
The three-star rating is the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.
Three members of the chapter, Tim Gresser, Paul Mercer and Terry Nickles, received the American FFA Degree at the convention.
It is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production and service programs.
Gresser is the son of Irvin and Karen Gresser of Sterling, and is currently working on the home farm in Sterling; Mercer is the son of Paul Mercer Jr. of Cadiz and Diana Slicker of Marshallville, and is currently working for Thurman Custom Harvesting, Kiowa, Okla., and Nickles is the son of Earl and Sue Nickles of Marshallville, and is currently attending Hocking College, majoring in wildlife management.
Their agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser is Tony Stoller.
ALLIANCE, Ohio — The Marlington FFA Chapter will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in the horticulture building.
There will also be an alumni meeting at the same time. The alumni are currently seeking new members. If you would like to join the Marlington FFA Alumni contact Kimberly Katich, president, or Gary Baker, adviser, at the Marlington Ag. shop.
Items on the agenda include new fundraiser ideas, school calendar, fair projects, livestock judging teams and parliamentary procedure team.
ASHLAND, Ohio — Crestview FFA sent a delegation to the recent National FFA Convention in Indianapolis to see graduate Alaine Esbenshade receive her American FFA Degree.
Esbenshade’s projects include three beef market steers, a dairy market steer, 40 hours of home improvement, a market feeder calf, and 771 hours of job placement.
She has also participated in many chapter activities and has been active with the Crestview FFA throughout her years as a member.
She is the fourth out of four siblings in her family to receive this prestigious award. She is the daughter of Gene and Joni Esbenshade.
While in Indiana, the group visited Beck’s Seed plant.
BELOIT, Ohio — West Branch FFA has 120 new members that will try to become tractor certified. The students will participate in at least 10 hours of training and then take a tractor driving test. Those who pass the test will receive a tractor certification certificate.
West Branch FFA is now selling fruit, T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts. The chapter also recently purchased a digital camera.
