Students learning and helping community through FFA

By DAWN SLADE
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 2/19/03

For 75 years, the FFA has been helping students improve personal growth, attain goals, and become better community members - in turn strengthening communities and the ag industry.

And this year is no exception.

National FFA Week, Feb. 15-22, has a theme for its 75th anniversary - One Mission: Student Success.

The Milaca FFA members are successful and have been working hard at improving their various skills throughout the year, generously giving back to the community in the process.

Advisor Doug Olson said, "Our membership has been very active this year. A high percentage of our members attend our monthly meetings and they are always willing to help out with any activities that we are planning."

So far this year...

FFA officers include Kari Beumer, president; Tracy DeVries, vice president; Eric Guzy, treasurer; Connie Ransom, secretary; Lyz Tesch, reporter; and Boone Hawley, sentinel.

Members of the FFA have participated in a variety of learning events this year.

Hawley and Shaun Ransom went to the State Leadership Greenhand Camp in Deep Portage last June as new members of FFA.

Connie Ransom also went to Deep Portage for the State Leadership Camp for Chapter Leaders (SLCCL) as a new FFA officer.

The members participated in leadership classes, met state FFA officers, went rock climbing, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and played volleyball.

Hawley even received the "Spirit Stick" award for his "politicking" abilities during the week-long camp.

Some FFA members participated in livestock and dairy judging competitions at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul last October.

Several members also attended the FFA National Convention in Louisville, Ky. Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2002.

And the FFA group is currently helping those in need by sponsoring a winter coat, mitten and snow pants drive this month.

Area residents can drop off items in marked boxes at designated sites, including Milaca Dairy Queen, Olsons SuperValu and the district office at Milaca Public Schools.

Looking ahead...

On Thursday, Feb. 27 at MHS, the forestry team and the ag/mechanics team, which consists of small engine, welding, electrical, building construction and farm machinery will be competing against approximately 10-15 schools.

The meats team will also be competing that day in Foley to identify different cuts and grades of meat, including pork, beef and poultry.

Eight members of the parliamentary team will compete at Northeast Metro High School on Thursday, March 13.

The parliamentary procedures team conducts meetings, records minutes, makes motions and acts on those motions.

Four FFA members have applied for the Region IV Degree, including Ransom, Hawley, Beumer and DeVries. Region IV consists of 30 schools.

The candidates are required to apply for the degree and interview with the Region IV officers.

Part of the criteria for obtaining the Region IV degree includes FFA involvement, local and state competitions, participation in regional activities, and other leadership activities.

The four will find out in April at the Region IV banquet in Howard Lake if they have received the degree. According to FFA Advisor Dene Byers, theyíre a shoe-in.

DeVries, a junior at MHS, has already earned the Region IV Proficiency Degree. Itís based on the FFA members involvement in a supervised ag experience.

For DeVries that was taking care of and recording the production of sheep her family owns. Since ninth grade, she has taken care of the sheep, recorded the income and expenses of owning the sheep and taken photos to chart the progress.

DeVries will now advance to the state level for proficiency. Her original regional application has been returned to her so she can update and make any corrections to it and will be sent to the state at the end of this month.

DeVries will find out in April how she fared at the state level.

This week in honor of National FFA Week the organization is holding a number of events at MHS, including a hay bale toss contest for students and staff, a scarecrow making contest, a milk drinking contest and a corn kernel guessing game.

The FFA members also participated in an ice fishing contest on Lory Lake earlier this week.

Last year the group recognized Matt Spindler and this reporter with Honorary Chapter FFA Degrees at the annual banquet.

Who will be honored this year? Weíll find out at the annual FFA banquet in April.

The 2003-2004 FFA officers will also be announced at the meeting. Candidates are interviewed in March and the officers are selected by outgoing seniors, two alumni members, and two members of the FFA foundation.

Byers said, "I think the pictures show that we have an FFA chapter membership that shows a lot of leadership and the desire to be actively involved in the many FFA activities throughout the year.

"I hope that we can continue to offer a quality agriculture education program and FFA chapter that challenges these students to become premiere leaders."

For more information about FFA, contact advisors Byers at 320-982-7335 or Olson at 982-7340.