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Four FFA Stars honored at State Convention

Four high school and college students received top FFA honors last night at the 82nd Minnesota FFA Convention in St. Paul.

Winners are:

Star Farmer. Jason Schaefer started buying feeder pigs back in thid grade and now produces 750 market hogs annually. He is a 2010 graduate of Hancock High School and is currently a student at Ridgewater College in Willmar, majoring in agribusiness and farm operations and management. Son of Stanley and Beverly Schaefer, Jason is a member of the Hancock FFA chapter. His adviser is Adam Bjerketvedt.

Star in Agri-Business. Kaylee Samaza has been buying, selling trading and training horses until she had enough money to purchase a quality pair of performance horses. She competes in rodeos, Western Saddle Club Association, National Barrel Racing and National Barrel Horse Association events. Daughter of Robert and Laurie Sazama, Kaylee is a member of the Perham FFA. Her adviser is Carl Aakre. She plans to attend Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas in the fall and to major in equine training and management.

Star in Production Placement. Andrew Steiner grew up in town and found his placement experience at C. R. Koehl & Sons. The Koehl farm operations include 7,500 acres of cropland and more than 5,000 acres of custom field operations near Hancock. Crops include 1,800 acres of alfalfa, kidney beans, wheat, corn, and soybeans. Steiner started out picking rock. His responsibilities have grown to manage work crews, harvesting kidney beans, and operating the disk ripper and tillage equipment. He plans to major in agriculture education. Son of Jeff and Jill Steiner, Andrew is a member of the Hancock FFA. He is advised by Adam Bjerketvedt and his agriculture instructor is Adam Steege.

Star in Agri Science. Ryan Bart is employed at the Central Lakes College Ag Center near Staples, where his responsibilities include assisting researchers from local universities. He has been involved with starting and planting more than 12,000 Miscanthus experimental grass cuttings and working with alternative oilseed crops such as Camelina and Pennycress. With his help, the University of Minnesota completed a project testing the uptake of antibiotic-laden compost in garden vegetables in high tunnel greenhouses. Bart plans to attend the University of Minnesota-Crookston and major in natural resource management and agronomy. Son of Roman and Karen Bart, Ryan is a member of the Staples-Motley FFA. His adviser is Kerry Lindgren.

Each year at the Minnesota FFA convention, 16 state finalists—four in each category— vie for the association's top awards: Minnesota FFA Star Farmer, Minnesota FFA Star in Agri Business, Minnesota FFA Star in Production Placement and Minnesota FFA Star in Agri Science. These awards honor students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their supervised agricultural experience; demonstrated outstanding management skills; earned the Minnesota FFA Degree – the Association's highest level of accomplishment; and met other agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements. Each finalist was interviewed by a panel of judges, who ultimately named the top candidate in each area. The winner was announced in an onstage convention ceremony and received a plaque and an award of $300. The runners-up also received plaques and $100 each.

The Minnesota FFA Degree recognition programs are sponsored by Ag Star Financial, as a special project of the Minnesota FFA Foundation. The Minnesota FFA Association represents 187 Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education programs and local FFA Chapters, serving more than 9,000 student members across the state of Minnesota.

 

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, April 6, 2011 - The Minnesota FFA Association and the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association are proud to announce the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Class of 2011.

These seven inductees will join the 134 members that have been inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame the past six years, including the 75 inaugural members in 2004.

They include:

MINNESOTA FFA HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2011

 

§  Rowland Bauck, New York Mills, MN

§  Tom Deming, Plainview, MN

§  Sheryl Meshke, Lake Crystal, MN

§  Steve Sviggum, Kenyon, MN

§  Dr. Larry Klingbeil, Bloomington, MN

§  John (Jack) Larson (deceased), Slayton, MN

§  Vic Richardson, Owatonna, MN

“The Hall of Fame is an excellent opportunity to honor the men and women who, over the years, have demonstrated leadership and commitment not only to the FFA but also to Minnesota’s agricultural industry,” said Jason Troendle, President, Minnesota FFA Association.

A selection committee consisting of FFA members, alumni and agricultural educators selected the final inductees. “We were looking for individuals who have been influential and supportive of Minnesota FFA and who have demonstrated a high level of service and longstanding commitment to agriculture, agribusiness, and/or education in agriculture,” said Steve Olson, co-chair, Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Committee.

An induction ceremony will be held on Monday afternoon, May 2, during the 82st State FFA Convention. The 2011 Hall of Fame Class will be featured on the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association website (www.mnffaalumni.org) as well as the state convention newsletter to be distributed shortly after convention.

 

 

Pancake Breakfast, Other Events Feed FFA Week at High School


The Belle Plaine FFA Chapter and almost 7,500 others across the nation are making their annual observance of National FFA Week, which began Monday and will continue through Sunday.
This year's National FFA theme is "Infinite Potential.” Through this, members are “encouraged to envision, discover and achieve their potential within their communities.”
The Belle Plaine chapter’s six officers and dozens of other members have a number of activities planned this week that will continue through Sunday.
The annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday will take place at Chatfield Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  (see ad in this week’s Herald for more information).
The Maynard Harms Memorial Euchre Tournament honoring long-time Belle Plaine FFA Advisor Maynard Harms will be held Sunday from 1-5 p.m., also at Chatfield Elementary School. There will be a silent auction throughout the day, proceeds from which will go to leadership scholarship activities.
On Tuesday, Belle Plaine FFA members were scheduled to visit fourth-grade students to talk about the state’s fruit and vegetable industry and make mini-pumpkin pies. Today (Wednesday), members will gather with third-grade students to talk about plant growth, corn and soybeans, and complete a “Soyboys” activity.

 

 

2011 National FFA Week highlights GRFFA accomplishments

Posted: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 12:00 pm

 

The year has been highlighted by an unprecedented chapter performance at the University of Minnesota, Crookston's Agriculture and Natural Resources Day in early December. The chapter earned $4,500 in scholarships through performances in several career development events held that day. The recipients of $750, first place individual scholarships were Josie Johnson in Floriculture, Torey Belich in Wildlife, and Kachina Lilley in Small Animals. The recipients of $600, second place individual scholarships were Max Madoll in Forestry, Travis Belich in Wildlife, and Lukas Maercker in Meats. The lone recipient of a $450, third place individual scholarship was Jessica Haig in Forestry. The chapter had 32 student participants, and 28 out of the 32 participants placed in the top third of their field in their respective career development events in Wildlife, Floriculture, Forestry, Small Animals, Meats, Agricultural Mechanics, Horse Judging, and Hippology.

FFA Week!

This past week (including today) was the National FFA week.  Every school and every FFA chapter celebrates this week in a different way but the base principle for FFA week remains the same, to  raise agriculture awareness and to let the community know that the FFA is still a strong and unified organization.  Here at Red Wing, we had dress up days for each day of the week, we had a teacher appreciation breakfast, and we have a lock in tonight (Friday the 25th and February).  The schedule for the dress up days goes as follows.

Tuesday: Blue Day

Wednesday: Gold Day

Faculty and Students at the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.

Thursday: Duct Tape Day

Friday: Flannel Friday

The dress up days were mostly just for fun and to raise FFA awareness.  Our biggest project for FFA week was a Leadership Lock-in that we planned at the Red Wing Gymnastics Center.  It is literally a lock in, because it starts at seven pm tonight and goes until seven in the morning.  Some of our activities will include dodge ball, team building activities, leadership strengthening games, diving into the foam pit, and socializing with friends.  We have high hopes for this event and we already have many people signed up to attend.

Hopefully our efforts have raised awareness about FFA and provided fun and beneficial opportunities for the students at Red Wing High.

Zach Phillips

Red Wing FFA Reporter

 

Farm Bureau and FFA - Working Together

  02/14/11 1:35:34 PM

The Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB) salutes FFA during National FFA Week, February 19-26. This week is a great reminder of the many reasons why Farm Bureau maintains such strong support for the FFA program.

Farm Bureau invests in FFA throughout the year because Farm Bureau sees future farmers, future agricultural leaders and future Farm Bureau members involved in this organization.

Below are some of the ways Farm Bureau partners with FFA throughout the year.

*The MFB Young Farmers & Ranchers and MFB Foundation sponsor the Minnesota FFA Discussion Meet contest.
*The MFB Foundation sponsors the extemporaneous speaking state contest and serves as a general sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Convention.
*MFB Foundation recognizes an FFA Advisor of the Year and sponsors the Minnesota Association of Ag Educators Young Educator of the Year award.
*The MFB has a representative on the Minnesota FFA Foundation board of directors and provides assistance to state FFA contests.
*Minnesota FFA state and regional officers serve as timekeepers at the MFB Young Farmers & Ranchers state discussion meet contest.
*MFB is a sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Foundation Golf Outing scheduled for July 28.
*MFB is a sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Foundation Twins event.

County Farm Bureaus and Farm Bureau leaders also support FFA programs by sponsoring local FFA activities or individuals, jointly hosting events such as safety camps and serve as a driving force to maintain FFA programs in local school districts.

Farm Bureau congratulates FFA in Minnesota and all of the youth and leaders who make FFA such an impressive organization. Farm Bureau is proud to be a strong supporter of FFA.

 

Welcome FFA Student Officers

Photo of Commissioner with FFA Students

Commissioner Brenda Cassellius welcomed Future Farmers of America (FFA) student officer team: Kirsten Pagel, Fulda; Maddie Collin, Southwest Star Concept; Jason Troendle, St. Charles; Justin Crowley, Howard Lake Waverly Winsted; Erin Daninger, Forest Lake; Liz Rabbe, Martin County West

The students met with the commissioner as a part of National FFA Week 2011 and shared information about the Minnesota FFA Ag Literacy Challenge, Land of Service Project, and the 2011 Minnesota FFA Convention to be held May 1-3 at the University of Minnesota. Visit the Minnesota FFA site.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The 35 students that make up Montevideo’s FFA Chapter are pretty identifiable around school.

Their creativity spills out on their t-shirts, which are worn under their traditional FFA jackets.

“That blue and gold jacket is largely unchanged since the very first time it was put on. And the strengths that it stands for — leadership, personal growth, career success — those aren’t going to change either,” said FFA advisor, Brian Albers.

Albers has been Montevideo’s FFA advisor for 24 years. He has seen students come and go, but the quality has stayed the same. And it can be summed up in two words: corn drive.

“We go out in the country and we ask for donations of corn, or soybeans, or money. And all the donations will go to Camp Courage, which is a camp for kids with disabilities,” said FFA president, Rebekah Landmark.

They raised $2,000 last fall, and over the years have raised more than $100,000 for Camp Courage.

“It makes me smile really big because I know that our work has made a difference in those kids’ lives,” said Landmark.

“I feel that we, as students, get a lot from the community. And this is just one small way to give back to those less fortunate,” said FFA vice president, Jordan Voorhees.

Montevideo FFA members also built miniature buildings for the county fair, so kids could get a taste of farm life. They hold a Homecoming hot dog feed every year, and on Friday morning they served their annual pancake breakfast as part of National FFA Week.

“It’s so important to me,” said Landmark. “I love serving others.”

The FFA has received numerous awards over the years and was recognized in the local paper this week. That’s why WCCO is recognizing a group of small town students doing big things as this week’s Community Spotlight winner.

“Whether or not (there is) a monetary reward … we are just totally thrilled watching them grow and see the good students they’ve become,” said Albers.

Albers said the club will use the $500 Community Spotlight award money to help pay for next fall’s Homecoming hot dog feed and for leadership camps this summer.

Community Spotlight is sponsored by Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum, and Carey.

Minnesota Farm Bureau and FFA – Working Together
MFB recognizes the importance of youth in agriculture and supports various activities throughout the year.
Compiled by staff 
Published: Feb 21, 2011

 

The Minnesota Farm Bureau salutes FFA during National FFA Week, Feb. 19-26.

This week is a great reminder of the many reasons why Farm Bureau maintains such strong support for the FFA program.

Farm Bureau invests in FFA throughout the year because Farm Bureau sees future farmers, future agricultural leaders and future Farm Bureau members involved in this organization.

Below are some of the ways Farm Bureau partners with FFA throughout the year.

*The MFB Young Farmers & Ranchers and MFB Foundation sponsor the Minnesota FFA Discussion Meet contest.

*The MFB Foundation sponsors the extemporaneous speaking state contest and serves as a general sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Convention.

*MFB Foundation recognizes an FFA Adviser of the Year and sponsors the Minnesota Association of Ag Educators Young Educator of the Year award.

*The MFB has a representative on the Minnesota FFA Foundation board of directors and provides assistance to state FFA contests.

*Minnesota FFA state and regional officers serve as timekeepers at the MFB Young Farmers & Ranchers state discussion meet contest.

*MFB is a sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Foundation Golf Outing scheduled for July 28.

*MFB is a sponsor of the Minnesota FFA Foundation Twins event.

County Farm Bureaus and Farm Bureau leaders also support FFA programs by sponsoring local FFA activities or individuals, jointly hosting events such as safety camps and serve as a driving force to maintain FFA programs in local school districts.

Source: MN FB

 

 

 

Larry Case Retirement Annoucement

All,

On January 24, 1966, I began a career of service to Agricultural Education as a local agricultural education instructor at Northwestern High School in Mendon, MO.  Now 44+ years later I am writing you this email to announce something that I have always thought of as being a long time in the future.  Most of the time, I really did not think about it, at all!  The time has come, however, that I will be doing more than thinking.  I will be starting a new phase in my life on Jan 1, 2011 called retirement.  This date is 23 days short of being 45 years of service in public education.  With your permission, I am going to call it 45 years!

I started my Federal journey on May 29, 1984.  I have worked with many dedicated and competent professionals in the U. S. Department of Education.  I especially enjoy my work in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).  The OVAE staff is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students through the effective administration of Federal policy.  They take their work seriously and enjoy working together.  It is a pleasure to work with them.

It goes without saying that I truly enjoy working in the best profession in existence!  I have enjoyed being a part of the changes and growth in agricultural education over the past 26 years.  Many victories have been won for the benefit of the profession, program, teachers and most of all our students!  The work is important!  As agricultural education professionals, we provide educational services that help students to be successful in their careers and lives.  The agricultural industry and our Nation are served by providing well prepared and highly motivated leaders who will effectively lead and operate our Nations’ agricultural business sector.  Our communities are well served with local leaders who care about the places they live and the success of others as well as themselves.  I thank each of you for your work! 

I look upon this next phase of my life as an opportunity to continue to grow, learn and serve.  I also am excited to be able to spend more time with my wife Joy, our children Jeff and Chanda Case; Becky and Mike Carter; and Matt and Rebecca Case. I am especially excited to be able to spend more time with Riley, Rachael, Aaron and Annabelle.  They, of course, are the brightest children in the world as they are Joy's and my grandchildren.  In addition, Joy and I will be traveling.  So it is my hope to see many of you on one of our “unhurried trips” sometime in the future. 

I look forward to seeing all of you at the 83rd National FFA Convention.  It will be my 27th and final National FFA Convention where I will serve as your National FFA Advisor "Stationed by the Owl."  I hope you will celebrate agricultural education as I intend to do the rest of my life!  Best wishes to all!!!

Larry D. Case

Senior Program Specialist-Agricultural and Rural Education and National FFA Advisor/CEO

US Department of Education

Washington DC, 20202

 

National Convention News

2009 Marks the 40th Year with Young Women in the FFA -- Kim Lippert was the first female president for the Minnesota FFA in 1976-1977. "Not only were women getting involved in agricultural education, but we started to see more people from non-farm backgrounds taking agriculture classes and expand the kinds of offerings we see in our high school curricula; FFA has kept up with the same kind of changes seen in agriculture." During the National FFA Convention, Lippert received her honorary FFA degree. Lippert is now an agriculture instructor at Ridgewater College. Listen to the RRFN report at http://rrfn.com/news/425dw.mp3. RRFN's coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored, in part, by the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council.

 

Larson Honored -- Minnesota State FFA Advisor Joel Larson received the Outstanding National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education Award. "There's so many people in state supervision that I look up to as mentors; to be named the outstanding member was not only a surprise, but also an honor." Minnesota started the year with 185 ag education programs, up two from last year. This report can be found at http://rrfn.com/news/431dw.mp3.

 

 

Star in Agriscience -- A Foley, Minnesota FFA'er is the 2009 American Star in Agriscience, one of the organization's highest awards. Amy Robak was recognized for her work in agronomy and conservation. Robak is now a student at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. After being named one of the four American Stars, Robak encouraged other FFA members to pursue their passion. "FFA can develop skills, not only for agriculture; doing those CDE's are so important and those leadership experiences; doing the internships in your career field is very important to do, too." RRFN's coverage of the National FFA Convention is sponsored, in part, by CHS Incorporated.

 

Jordan Hanson, Chatfield FFA, was awarded National Entrepreneurship Award at the National FFA Convention

Tom Eilertson, United South Central FFA, was awarded Diversified Agricultural Production-Entrepreneurship/Placement at the National FFA Convention

85 Minnesota FFA members received the American FFA Degree

Kim Lippert, Tom Anderson, Robin Kinney, and  Lisa Moorhouse received Honary American FFA Degrees

Mike Rowe with Discovery Channels “Dirty Jobs” was the keynote speaker at the first general session at the National FFA Convention this past week.  Below is the link to the video of his speech.  It’s about 45 minutes long.  http://www.ffa.org/convention/2009/video.cfm

 To view other presentations from the convention visit: http://www.schooltube.com/user/nationalffa.

 

On behalf of the Minnesota FFA Alumni Association we would like to announce the following chapters have been awarded $500 each for the purpose of bringing one of their administrators to the 2009 National FFA Convention:

Red Wing, Pine Island, Randolph, Foley and Dassel Cokato

⇔⇔⇔

Paul Day and Ed Frederick were honored September 6th at the Minnesota State Fair when they were awarded the first  Day-Frederick Award for a Lifetime of Dedicated Service to the FFA and the FFA Alumni.

⇔⇔⇔

Dassel-Cokato FFA Alumni was recently notified that it will receive a National FFA Local Program Support Grant of $1000. They will be receiving it at the National FFA Convention in October. The grant was titled ”Enhance Our Curriculum To Beautify Our Dassel Cokato Campus.” The grant will be used for updating the Nursery/Landscape and Horticulture study guides and curriculum. We will also focus on the Emerald Ash borer to develop a plan in case it would infest our school site (which is about 70% ash trees.)

 


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