News & Events of Our Local FFA Chapter at Chillicothe RII Schools

News and Events at Chillicothe's National FFA Organization

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December Food Drive

The Chillicothe FFA held their annual food drive this December. Students collected canned food items for the drive and compiled them at the December FFA Meeting, which was held December 3, 2008. The canned food items were then delivered to the local Salvation Army. The chapter collected ten boxes of food to donate to the Salvation Army. Seniors Tyler Jeschke and Lance Williams delivered the food for the chapter.

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FFA Christmas Party

On December 3, 2008, the Chillicothe FFA held their annual Christmas Party at the Chillicothe Middle School. This party represents a reward for members on an excellent Barnwarming this year as well as a time for fellowship.

The members enjoyed dinner and then moved into the field house for some games. Members played basketball, dodge ball, volleyball, and had other activities. The students also held a canned food drive and collected 8 boxed of canned food items. There were approximately 150 members present and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening.

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Fall Speaking Contest

CAPTION: Back Row L to R -Lauren Dietzschold, Kellin Ferguson; Front Row L to R - Maycee Hoover, Meredith Jones.

On November 5, 2008, Chillicothe FFA students participated in the Area 2 Fall Speaking Contest in Gallatin. Meredith Jones competed in the Missouri Farm Bureau Contest, Maycee Hoover competed in the Missouri Pork Producers Contest, Kellin Ferguson competed in the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives Contest, and Lauren Dietzschold competed in the Missouri Sheep Producers Contest. Three of the four members qualified to move on to the district competition. At the Northwest District competition, held on November 19, 2008 in Cameron; Kellin Ferguson received second in Missouri Institute of Cooperatives competition Meredith Jones received first in the Missouri Farm Bureau competition, and Lauren Dietzschold received third in the Missouri Sheep Producers competition. Meredith Jones will move on to the state competition, which will be held on December 7, 2008.

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Chillicothe FFA Chapter Receives National Ranking

The National FFA Organization recently selected from a pool of more than 600 candidates nationwide the CHILLICOTHE FFA CHAPTER as a 3-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program. The chapter attended the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 22-25, 2008 to accept this award.

The National FFA Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapter for developing and conducting a detailed Program of Activities (POA). Each activity provides opportunities for members to excel in one of three areas: student, chapter or community development. Every year, chapters are recognized as having earned a one-, two-, or three-star rating on their application.

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National FFA Courtesy Corps

CAPTION: Pictured - Left to Right: Back Row - Jake Meyers, Clayton Allen, Tyler Jeschke, Blake Reed
Front Row - Alexis Sykes, Lauren Mustain, Konner Ferguson.

Almost any event becomes more intriguing when viewed from behind the scenes. The 81st National FFA Convention, which includes everything from arena stage events to the Day of Service and workshops for nearly 50,000 attendees, is no exception.

It takes many volunteers to help make a convention of this magnitude a positive experience for all of its guests. This year approximately 900 FFA members, including students from the Chillicothe FFA Chapter, formed the National FFA Courtesy Corps. The students viewed the convention from the other side – backstage – playing a crucial role in the events logistics. Local members participating in the National FFA Courtesy Corps were Jake Meyers, Clayton Allen, Tyler Jeschke, Blake Reed, Alexis Sykes, Lauren Mustain, and Konner Ferguson. The 81st National FFA Convention was held October 22-25, 2008 in Indianapolis, IN.

“Participants in the National FFA Courtesy Corps provide valuable services for the overall convention operation,” says National FFA Advisor Dr. Larry D. Case. “FFA gains a tremendous resource, and the participants gain wonderful volunteer experience and an insight into the planning and logistics necessary to ensure a safe and successful convention. They are key to our ability to create a premier leadership and educational event for nearly 50,000 guests.”

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 500,823 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,358 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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14 Local Students Attend National FFA Convention

CAPTION: Pictured - Left to Right: Back Row - Jake Meyers, Tyler Jeschke, Lauren Dietzschold; Middle Row - Kelton Diggs, John Davis, Ashley Myers, Clayton Allen, Blake Reed, Konner Ferguson, Alexis Sykes, Becca Vandevort, Jim Grozinger (advisor); Front Row - Rusty Black (advisor), Baillie Schnieders, Brooke Westcott, and Lauren Mustain.

On October 22 through the 25, 2008, 14 members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. The students attended many activities while in Indianapolis. The students attended leadership sessions, the career show, college fair, and convention session while at the convention hall. Other activities attended while at Indianapolis were the National FFA Center, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding. Students also attended a concert featuring Taylor Swift.

Local members that attended the convention were Tyler Jeschke, Lauren Mustain, Lauren Dietzschold, Alexis Sykes, Clayton Allen, John Davis, Konner Ferguson, Baillie Schnieders, Ashley Myers, Kelton Diggs, Jake Meyers, Becca Vandevort, Blake Reed, and Brooke Westcott.

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Area Greenhand Initiation

On October 15, 2008, 77 Greenhands of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the Area II Greenhand Initiation Ceremony in Gallatin, MO. The Area II officer team, lead by President Tyler Dietzschold of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter, conducted the initiation. During the initiation, the Greenhands listened to the 2008 Area Creed speaker recite the creed, watched a slide show featuring Area II Greenhands, listened to the Missouri FFA State Officer from Area II, Aimee Gutshall, speak, and were presented their Greenhand pins during the Greenhand Ceremony.

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Chillicothe FFA Participates in Fall Trapshoot
Keith Dietzschold, FFA Advisor GRTS, 10 08 08

This fall, the Chillicothe FFA is once again involved in a shooting sports discipline – trapshooting. With the help of the Chillicothe School District, school administration, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, the FFA is teaching students the self-discipline and responsibility of shooting sports. The objectives are to involve students in the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior, along with safe and responsible use of firearms. Additionally, the program helps to develop self-confidence, personal discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The students were required to pass the Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education program and attended one of the safety meetings sponsored by the Ag Education Department.

Recently, the chapter attended a trapshoot sponsored by the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg. The university has a school shooting facility on their university farm. The students enjoyed the day and learned a lot about competition. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter team had 17 individuals that traveled to Warrensburg and they had one squad that placed 3rd out of 56 squads that participated that day, also, one of the members place in the top five as an individual. The members of the team are looking forward to more events.

PHOTO

CAPTION: Members of the Chillicothe FFA that traveled to the UCM Trapshoot. Front row – Austin Cassisty, Nick Koeing, Kyle Ulmer, Lance Surber, Jake Englert, Brooke Westcott, Matt Gillilan, Matt Goll; Back Row –Amber Kieffer, Jacob Ballard, Tyler Dietzschold, Lance Williams, Derrick Scott, Travis Swank, Dalton McMullen, Trevor Meyers, Kayleb Berry.

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FFA Earns Over $19,000 Through Barnwarming Events
Published CT 11 04 08

On Saturday, November 1, 2008, the Chillicothe FFA held its annual Barnwarming festivities. These festivities included a dance, games, a hay tunnel, and the coronation ceremony. This year’s 2008 Barnwarming King and Queen are Ben Radcliff and Meredith Jones. The Seniors Class, candidates – Meredith Jones (daughter of Charles and Sherry Jones) and Ben Radcliff (son of Steve and Betty Sue Radcliff) raised $7,023.63 with an average of $163.34/person; Juniors, Emily Sallee (daughter of Jan Sallee) and Jared McCauslin (son of Dewayne and Janet McCauslin) raised $4,637.24 with and average of $115.93/person; Sophomores, Maycee Hoover (daughter of Mark Hoover and Kimbra Mullenix) and Jesse Riddle (son of Jason and Mary Jo Riddle) raised $2,715.75 with and average of $69.63/person; Freshmen, Dani Moore (daughter of Tammy Moore) and Tanner Thompson (son of Genelle Barnett) raised $4,771.00 with and average of $59.64/person. The chapter raised $19,147.62 this year for the chapters operations that average out to $94.79/member.

It is Chillicothe FFA Barnwarming Time Again!

The Chillicothe FFA has selected its King and Queen Candidates for the 2008 Barnwarming. These individuals will lead the charge in the fund raising efforts of the Chillicothe FFA members. The FFA members are now available to do your odd jobs around the house and farm. Give them a call and they will organize a work team to help you in your fall cleanup activities. The class that averages the most money per member will have their candidates crowned King and Queen on November 1, 2008 at the annual Barnwarming Dance. The candidates are as follows: Seniors, Meredith Jones (daughter of Charles and Sherry Jones) and Ben Radcliff (son of Steve and Betty Sue Radcliff); Juniors, Emily Sallee (daughter of Jan Sallee) and Jared McCauslin (son of Dewayne and Janet McCauslin); Sophomores, Maycee Hoover (daughter of Mark Hoover and Kimbra Mullenix) and Jesse Riddle (son of Jason and Mary Jo Riddle); Freshmen, Dani Moore (daughter of Tammy Moore) and Tanner Thompson (son of Genelle Barnett). The chapter has set a goal to raise $19,000 this year for chapter operations. If you have any type of job please give an FFA member a call or call one of the advisors at the Grand River Technical School at 646-3414.

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Barnes Baker Donation

CAPTION: Chillicothe FFA members gather around a truck donated by Barnes Baker Motors for the FFA chapter to use this summer. The FFA members expressed their appreciation to Barnes Baker for the use of the truck. Several members are also holding plaques of various awards individual members and the entire chapter received over the summer. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter received the Swine and Poultry Sweepstakes Award during the 2008 Missouri State Fair.

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August 2008 Meeting

CAPTION: Chillicothe FFA Chapter held their annual the August meeting last (Wednesday) night, August 27, 2008. The meeting was held at the Chillicothe High School commons and served as a new member orientation. FFA advisors report that there are 95 new members to the local chapter and there were approximately 320 parents and FFA members at the meeting. Attendees enjoyed the FFA opening ceremonies presented by the Chapter Officers. The group was then broken into two groups, one being parents and one being students. The parents were given an overview of what to expect being an FFA parent. The students group participated in mixers, watched a skit, and got to ask questions of the officers. Students in the Chillicothe FFA Chapter are from Chillicothe, Bosworth, and Southwest.

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2008 American Degree Recipients

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Ethan Beck (son of David & Suzi Beck), Geana Gates (daughter of Gil & Karen Gates), Wade Judy (son of Richard Judy & Wendy Wilson), Rebecca Kerr (daughter of David & Brenda Kerr), Clifton Lauhoff (son of David & Janet Lauhoff), Shelby Moss (daughter of David & Debbie Moss), and Andrea Williams (daughter of David & Carla Williams), members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter recently received the American FFA Degree. Earning the degree means these individuals are one of a select group to be recognized for years of academic and professional excellence. The honor was presented on October 25, 2008 at the 81st National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.

The American FFA Degree recognizes demonstrated leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, and processing or service programs. To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also make it their mission to demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement. Each award recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key, and certificate in a blue leatherette frame. Of 500,823 FFA members nationwide, Ethan, Geana, Wade, Rebecca, Clifton, Shelby, and Andrea were seven only 3,341 to be recognized in 2008. Case IH, The Farm Credit System, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation sponsor the degree recognition program.

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2008 Pig Show Extravaganza

On May 31 and June 1, 2008 the Livingston County 4-H & FFA Fairgrounds-Jenkins Expo Building hosted three swine shows. There were approximately 400 head of hogs shown at this weekend’s event. On Saturday morning the show was sponsored by the Missouri Swine Youth Supports. There were approximately 190 head of hogs at this show. The results of the show were:

Supreme Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker
Reserve Supreme Gilt went to Carter Ward
Supreme Barrow went to Kimberlee Gieseker
Reserve Supreme Barrow went to April Baker.

The Saturday night show was the Missouri Elite Breed Spectacular. This show was sponsored by Certified Pedigree Swine, Chillicothe State Bank, Davis Livestock, Davis Spot Farm, J.R. Reid Show Pigs, Whitehead Spots, Travel Tyme/Pap’s Primitive, Oram Family Spot, Diamond J Livestock, Gail and Garett Reid Families, Randy Derr, Stein and Stewart Genetics, Perry Purebreds, Robinson Genetics, and National Swine Registry. The results were:

Champion Berkshire Gilt went to Katy Bryant
Reserve Champion Berkshire Gilt went to Taylor McGaugh
Champion Chester Gilt went to Sarah Bridges
Reserve Champion Chester Gilt went to Jon Black
Champion Duroc Gilt went to Creighton Sapp
Reserve Champion Duroc Gilt went to Adam Perry
Champion Hampshire Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker
Reserve Champion Hampshire Gilt went to Quincy BeVelle
Champion Poland Gilt went to Lawton Johnson
Reserve Champion Poland Gilt went to Olivia Loges
Champion Spot Gilt went to Taylor McGaugh
Reserve Spot Gilt went to Sarah Bridges
Champion Yorkshire Gilt went to Zack Craven
Reserve Champion Yorkshire Gilt went to Katie Viets
Champion Berkshire Barrow went to Katie Viets
Reserve Champion Berkshire Barrow went to Lance Williams
Champion Chester Barrow went to Harley Wooldridge
Reserve Champion Chester Barrow went to Brad Storck
Champion Duroc Barrow went to Taylor Bryant
Reserve Champion Duroc Barrow went to Kimberlee Gieseker
Champion Hampshire Barrow went to Cameron Ward
Reserve Champion Hampshire Barrow went to Katie Viets
Champion Poland Barrow went to Johnny Johnson
Reserve Champion Poland Barrow went to Brent Boland
Champion Spot Barrow went to Noah Gamm
Reserve Spot Barrow went to Clay Wooldridge
Champion Yorkshire Barrow went to Taylor Loges
Reserve Champion Yorkshire Barrow went to Justin Kindsen
Junior Showmanship went to Harley Wooldridge
Senior Showmanship went to Chelsea Bridges.

Sunday morning the Chillicothe FFA Alumni hosted the North Central Missouri Show Pig Bonanza, where there were approximately 200 head of hogs. The sponsors of this show were Ag Venture, American Family-Janet McCauslin, Andy Parks, Bank Midwest, Barnes Baker Motors, Brammer Show Pigs, Brotherton Farms, BTC Bank, Chillicothe Animal Hospital, Chillicothe State Bank, Chula Farmers Coop, Citizens Bank & Trust, Croy Show Pigs, Cunningham Plumbing Co., Davis Livestock, Dean Machinery, FEC, Grand River Technical School, Hoffman-Reed Inc., Hutchinson & Co., J.R. Reid Show Pigs, Livingston TV & Appliance, Pioneer HiBred Seed, MFA Agri-Service, Roberts Law Office, Rudasill Farms LLC, Simms Show Pigs, T & R Soil Service, TLD Livestock, Trans Ova Genetics, Williams Farms, Wolf Farms, and Wolf Brothers. The results of this show were:

Supreme Champion Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker
Reserve Supreme Champion Gilt went to Taylor Loges
Supreme Champion Barrow went to Troy Sloan
Reserve Supreme Champion Barrow went to Noah Gamm
Junior Showmanship went to Bryana Binkley
Senior Showmanship went to Troy Sloan.


Supreme Champion Gilt Kimberlee Gieseker	Supreme Champion Barrow Troy Sloan

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2008 Area II Chapter Officer Workshop

On Friday, May 30, 2008 the Missouri Area II Officers held a workshop for chapter officers at the Chillicothe High School. The workshop focused on communication skills and etiquette. The workshop consisted of the Area II Officers conducting opening ceremonies. Then Tom Brand, Farm Director for KFEQ radio, presented the key note address on “Positive Communication about your Chapter”.

CAPTION - Tom Brand giving his key note address.

The chapters competed in both a rituals contest and a best dressed contest. The rituals contest is to see which officer team can present the official FFA opening ceremonies with the fewest flaws. The best dressed contest is to see with chapter officer team follows the rules of official FFA dress the best. The winners of both contests were the Trenton FFA officer team.

The workshop session covered the topics of newspaper communications, radio communications, websites, and e-mail etiquette. The presenters for these workshops were - Newspaper Communications - Cathy Ripley (Chillicothe C-T) and Susie Mires (St. Joseph News Press), Radio Communications - Tom Brand (KBEQ) and Janet Adkison (KMZU), Websites - Brenda Fellhoelter (BK Web Works) and Chuck Erke (Greenhills.net), E-Mail Etiquette - Marti Miller (Miller Auction Co.) and Chris Holland (Livingston County Library).

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