Mead FFA Chapter

Articles

District 2 Leadership Skills Events
by Kori Jensen

The Mead FFA Chapter hosted the FFA District 2 Leadership Skills Events Contest on November 26th. The entire chapter worked with members of the FFA Alumni and community members to conduct the contest. Ten Mead FFA members competed in the contest with two members advancing to the state competition in April. Jenna Schutt received first place in the Cooperative Speaking Competition and qualified for state with her speech on Open Harvest Cooperatives. Don Treptow received second place in Junior Public Speaking with his Organic Farming speech and will participate in the state contest. In the Creed Speaking Competition Allison Hough received a blue ribbon. Matt Rozic received a red ribbon in Natural Resources with his speech on the Nebraska Rainwater Basin. A white ribbon was received by Tim Hickman in Extemporanious Speaking. The Junior Parlimentary Procedure Team (Allison Hough, Brandon Morin, Amanda Ruhe, Lindsey Pearson, Michele Garcia, Jenna Schutt, and Jamie Larsen) received a Red Ribbon. Congratulations to the members participating in the contest. Thank you everyone that helped make this event a success.

National FFA Convention
by Kori Jensen

Late Tuesday night, October 21st eight Mead FFA members loaded a charter bus with 50 other FFA members from around Nebraska for the long drive to Indianapolis, Indiana. They joined almost 50,000 FFA Members from around the country for the 81st National FFA Convention. Mead FFA members attended general sessions, workshops, agricultural tours, and the National Career Show.
Members toured IB Horse Stables and Conner Living History Prairie. Emily Garcia was fascinated by the amount of work that goes into training horses. While at Connor Prairie students learned to throw axes in a Native American game and took a glimpse of life in the 1800s.
Downtown Indianapolis was the setting for most of convention. General Sessions were held in Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers and Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts home field. During these sessions members were inspired by the National Officers and motivational speakers and watched some of the most successful FFA members from across the country receive awards. Jamie Larsen said, “The best part of general sessions was the music and laser show.”
One of the favorite stops of convention was the National FFA Career Show. “I learned there are even more agricultural careers than I have ever even heard of,” said Lindsey Pearson. The career show plays host to more than 400 booths from a variety of colleges, agriculture-related companies, fundraising companies, U.S. Armed Services, and auto and truck manufacturers. The booths offer anything from interactive games such as the Nintendo Wii, mechanical bulls, and cars and trucks on display, to brochures, pamphlets and other handouts to take home.
At the FFA Hall of States each state association set up a both displaying agriculture in their state. This gave the Mead FFA members a chance to talk to someone from each state. Allison Hough, “I was surprised when the Georgians called pop coke and that we are the only state that has Runza.” Flowers from Hawaii and candy from Puerto Rico were just a few things members took home from the Hall of States.
After watching the Parliamentary Procedure and Creed Speaking finals the Mead FFA members are excited and ready to compete at the district leadership skills contest.
National FFA convention was an awesome learning and leadership opportunity for all eight Mead FFA members in attendance. They returned home with a better understanding of FFA, new friends from all across the country, and memories that will last a lifetime. The Mead FFA Chapter is grateful for support from the FFA Alumni that made this trip possible.

Ag Awareness
by Andrea Schmidt

On October 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 8th Mead FFA members traveled to the ARDC to help fourth graders learn about agriculture. The Annual Agricultural Awareness Festival is hosted by the Saunders and Douglas County Extension Offices. Several hundred Omaha elementary schools attended the event. For many of these students this is the first time they have seen a cow or a tractor. They learned about the digestive system of cattle, and how machinery is used to make the farmer’s job easier. While in the dairy facility, the students saw a cow with a hole in her stomach for research. One of the fourth graders’ favorite events of the day was climbing into the tractors for a farmers view. The Mead FFA members served as tour guides helping the University employees and teachers get the students to their designated areas. Many FFA members were surprised how excited the students were to see the farm animals. This is an event FFA members look forward to helping with each year. The Mead FFA Chapter would like to thank Mr. Quinn, Mr. Robertson, Mrs. Schutt, and Ms. Moser for aiding in transportation.

Fall Festival FFA Meeting
by Andrea Schmidt

The October FFA Meeting was held on October 7th at 6:30pm. After opening ceremonies several items were discussed. Eight members will attend National FFA Convention in Indianapolis October 22-25th. Fruit Sales were discussed and will begin November 10th with the beginning of December being the target delivery. Members updated the chapter on their progress with Leadership Skills Events and talked about hosting the contest. After the FFA meeting FFA members enjoyed a spaghetti supper and decorated pumpkins. The chapter was divided into teams of two or three and painted pumpkins. Watch for the pumpkins to be on display in the Ag display window.

Building Leaders
by Lindsey Pearson and Jenna Schuttbr>
On Thursday October 16 eleven Mead FFA members attended the Impact Leadership Workshop with the Nebraska State FFA Officers. Mission Possible was the theme of the workshop, students participated in activities and conversations to improve and develop their leadership skills. The Mead FFA members wrote and presented skits that demonstrated communication and leadership. They also practiced setting goals and fulfilling missions. There were fours sessions for students to attend starting at 9:15 and going until 1:45. FFA members enjoyed working with the state FFA officers while preparing for the future. Mead FFA members enjoyed meeting FFA members from all over Nebraska.

Student Compete in District Land Judging
by Kori Jensen

After spending the past three weeks studying soil in their Plant Science class five Mead students attended the District Land Judging Contest. These students learned to identify soil types and textures, calculate erosion, and estimate slope. The also discovered how to classify areas of land and give usage recommendations. These skills will be valuable to any home owner, producer, or agriculturalist to understand the land and its uses. Matthew Rozic explained that the skills and knowledge he gained land judging would be beneficial in many agricultural career areas. Don Treptow, Michael Schwab, Matthew Rozic, Maison Frahm, and Ethan Wellman competed in the contest near Ceresco along with 160 other students from around the area on Thursday, October 9th.

Mead FFA Members Attend Husker Harvest Days
by Kori Jensen

Four Mead FFA members joined agriculturalists from all across Nebraska in Grand Island for Husker Harvest Days. Members watched harvest demonstrations where some of the newest combines were on display. They also learned about new genetic technology from various seed companies. One of the favorite stops was the agricultural commodity building; students sampled products made from soy, grain sorghum, and other Nebraska products. Theses Mead FFA members had a glimpse into the future of agriculture as the saw new equipment, technology, and products. Matthew Rozic’s favorite part of the day was the field demonstrations and looking at the newest equipment technology. Michael Schwab created a slide show presentation of the group’s trip and presented at the September Mead FFA meeting. The Mead FFA chapter is exited for next year’s trip to Husker Harvest Days.

First Mead FFA Chapter Meeting
by FFA Reporter, Andrea Schmidt

On August 26, 2008 the Mead FFA Chapter kicked off the year with the first FFA meeting.
There were 22 members present. During the meeting several items of business were discussed.
The chapter decided to sell fruit as a fundraiser again this year and a committee was set to design chapter shirts. Members were encouraged to apply to attend National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Indiana, October 22-25. Members were also encouraged to begin preparing for Leadership Skills Events which takes place in November. The chapter filled vacant Reporter and Parliamentarian Positions. Andrea Schmidt was elected 2008-2009 Reporter and Lindsey Pearson is the 2008-2009 Parliamentarian. Upon closing in the meeting FFA members enjoyed a grilled hotdogs and tailgate games. The next meeting of the Mead FFA Chapter is scheduled for September 18, 2008.

GRAPE HARVESTING
by FFA Reporter, Andrea Schmidt

On August 23, 30, and September 7 the Mead FFA Chapter helped harvest grapes for Al Vybiral’s vineyard. Members harvested wine grapes, which have and uneatable pit. FFA members tasted each variety of grapes they picked, the overwhelming favorite was the Brianna White Grapes. The students harvested enough grapes to produce 2300 bottles of wine. This vineyard produces three types of grapes; each must be harvested right before wine production to ensure freshness and proper sugar content. The students spent two Saturday mornings and one Sunday afternoon working. FFA members learned a lot about all aspects of grape production through this partnership.

Mead FFA Chapter

2008-2009 Mead FFA Officers

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