September 2001Newsletter

by Rachel Makarius,Reporter


Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFAChapter is on Sept. 24th. This will be the first meeting for freshmenstudents. More details will be given in class.
Review of SummerActivities:

Auction Food Booth - The A-C FFA ran the food booth for a summer fundraiser at an estate auction in Bremen on July 14th. Josh Knotts, Kevin Strickler, Kristin Graves, CassieShaeffer, Tiffany Timmons, Sidney Bennett, and AaronStrickland all helped out with thisactivity.

FFA Camp- FFA Camp was held at Camp Muskingum in Carrollton from July 16th toJuly 20th. Those members attending were: Meagan Silva, Jennifer Evans, Justin Strickland, MarkFrancis, Joe Davis, Jace Spires, Mary White, Mike Justice, ShannaSpencer, Stephani Crabbe, David Thomas, Cliff Rutter, Rick Foster,Heather Bussert, Emilee Klamfoth, Samantha Wiggins, JustinCox, and Jordan Lee.

Washington Leadership Conference -Mark Francis, RachelMakarius, and Beth Fouse attendedthe Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. from July24th to the 29th. This conference further develops the leadershipskills of FFA members and also involves touring WashingtonD.C.

Canoe Trip - Cliff Rutter, NateHolbrook, Mike Justice, Amy Araujo, Zach McPherson, Sidney Bennett,Joe Althaus, Whitney Turner, Lindsey Turner, Ryan Foster, DustinWesthoven, Tabby Strausz, Erin Gilfillen, Heather Edler,and Emilee Klamfoth wenton the canoe trip to the Mohican River on August 2nd.

North Market Ag. AwarenessActivity - The A-C FFA, along withthe Bloom Carroll FFA Chapter, displayed farm animals and otherag-related products at the North Market in Columbus to help raiseagricultural awareness in the community. Mallory McMaster, Calvin Hanes, Martina Stanley,and Holly Edwardsparticipated in the North Market Ag Awareness Activity.

Hosting the FFA Center - Dawn Helber, AngelaDavis, Amy Araujo, Brandy Vannoy, Jenny Green, Deanna Pontius, KatieBowman, Kristin Graves, Samantha Wiggins, and MeganFishel hosted the FFA Center at theOhio State Fair on Aug. 14th. They greeted people at the door of thecenter and sold raffle tickets for a John Deer Gator for the Ohio FFAAssociation. Two years ago, the A-C FFA was second in the amount ofticket sales in the state. Last year, the A-C FFA sold more raffletickets than any other chapter, winning a Lincoln arc welder that isnow used in the Ag Production classes.

Litter Prevention Program- Each year, members from theAmanda-Clearcreek FFA and National Honor Society participate in theLitter Prevention Program at the Ohio State Fair. FFA membersvolunteering their time for this activity were: Joe Althaus, Devon Timmons, Calvin Hanes, Eric Cox,Lindsey Turner, Whitney Turner, Holly Edwards, Silas Carpenter,Mallory McMaster, Christina Gierhart, Rachel Makarius, Angela Davis,Megan Fishel, and Dawn Helber.

A-C FFA Alumni Trip - Ben Blosser, NickGriener, Michael Shaeffer, Jennifer Cochran, Tony Davis, RobertBlosser, Cliff Rutter, Mr. Tilley, and Mr.Sharp, all A-C FFA alumni members,went on a backpacking trip to Dolly Sod's wilderness in WestVirginia. The trip lasted two nights and three days. The group hikeda total of 10 miles.


Upcoming CDE's:

Forestry - The Forestry CDE consists of three parts. The firstis forestry tool identification, and the second consists of twopracticums from the following list: Measuring standing timber on a1/5 acre plot, Geological Map Reading, Use of a Hand Compass, ChainSaw Part Identification and Troubleshooting, and Forest BusinessManagement. The last part of this contest is a written test takenover forestry.

Soils -Urban - Soils are judged for use of construction, such asbuildings, roadways, etc.

Rural -Soils are judged for their potential in agricultural use.

*If you are interested in doing either ofthese contests, contact Mr. Tilley or Mr. Sharp immediately


Adopt-A-Highway - The next Adopt-A-Highway will be Sept. 24th, beforethe meeting at 3:30. The A-C FFA covers the 3-mile stretch of SR 159between Amanda and Oakland. Please come and help out so the cleanupcan be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Freshmen,this is a great opportunity to earn some extra bonus points.
Big E Competition - Last spring, the General Livestock Team, consistingof Jennifer Strickler, KevinStrickler, Robert Blosser, Mark Francis, Erin Gilfillen, BrianBussert, and Travis Kiser placed2nd out of 143 teams in the state. Kevin, Jennifer, Mark and Robertwill be representing Ohio at the BigE, a regional contest in Massachusetts on Sept. 15th.
Farm Science Review - On Tuesday, Sept. 18th, the A-C FFA will attend theFarm Science Review, a large outdoor display of agricultural productsin London. Cost to students will be $3. Everyone attending will leavethe school at 7 a.m. Two buses will return students to the school.The first one will arrive back at 3 p.m. for sporting events, etc.The second one will possibly return at 6 p.m. for everyone else. Alldues and fees must be paid for members to go to the Farm ScienceReview.
National FFA Convention- The National FFA Convention isheld annually in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the largest gathering ofFFA members in the nation. Over 45,000 FFA members attend eachyear.

This year, Eric Valentinewill be recognized for receiving his American FFA Degree.The A-C FFA will be recognized for being named a 2-star chapter,which is the highest placing we have received in chapter history. TheAg Communications team, consisting of Beth Fouse, Jennifer Cochran, HeatherMakarius, and Rachel Makarius willbe competing at the National level at the convention. Their contestwill take place during Wednesday and Thursday of theconvention.

Two trip options, long and short, are againbeing offered for the National Convention this year. The short tripwill be October 26-27. This option is limited to 9 students, who willride to Louisville in a van. The long trip will be October 24-28. Ifenough members are interested in this option, a school bus will betaken. This is not the fastest or most comfortable way to travel, butit greatly reduces the cost of the trip for students. Anon-refundable deposit for both trips will be due on Sept. 21st.


Fair Booth - The A-C FFA sets up a fair booth at the FairfieldCounty Fair every year. Volunteers will be needed to help set-up thebooth the Friday before the fair and take it down afterwards. Thebooth will display wood and electrical projects and leafidentification books.
Fruit Sale - The fruit sale will begin sometime around fair. Moredetails will be given to students in class.
Lion's Club Dinner - The Lion's Club will be having a chicken barbecuedinner in the High School cafeteria on Sept. 15th. Volunteers areneeded to help serve food and cleanup after the dinner. More detailswill be given in class.