The 2008

Amanda-Clearcreek

FFA

October

Newsletter

FFA fact of the month: IN 1988 THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION CHANGED TO THE NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION.

* Monthly Chapter Meeting *

The monthly chapter meeting is on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. in the Ag. Center. Members are required to attend and stay until the Ag. Challenge is done. The Ag. Challenge is the Straw Bale Toss. The seniors won the Egg Toss last meeting. A message from the seniors: “Bring It!”

Fruit sale

This years fruit sale will consist of the usually fruits we sell. Each members is asked to set a goal to sell a minimum of ten boxes/baskets of fruit, however members need to sell as much fruit as possible. This is our top fundraiser and in order for our year to run smoothly, we need to sell plenty of fruit. An important notice is that all orders are not pre-pay, there is a pre-pay price and a pay upon delivery price. If you don’t get asked to buy fruit by a member and would like some, please contact Mr. Sharp or Mr. Tilley; they would be glad to help. Call 740-969-7384. Remember the sale ends on Nov. 6th.

Flower Bulb Sale

We sold more than 665 orders of flower bulbs. Thank you to all who sold and bought. Flower bulbs should be in before Halloween.

Chapter Trap Shoot

Starting in the 1990's, the chapter has sponsored an annual Chapter Trap Shoot in the Fall. In recent years, Lonnie and Barb Green have hosted this event. This activity provides an opportunity for members to learn about firearm safety and enjoy testing their accuracy at firing at clay pigeons. Many members, their parents and past members normally attend this October activity. Members can just shoot for fun or compete for various door prizes provided by the chapter or other sponsors. Normally, this activity is held on a Sunday afternoon and a cookout-style lunch is provided by the chapter and the Greens. The chapter Trap Shoot is at the Green’s residence on Sunday, Oct. 12th starting at 1:00 P.M.

National FFA Convention

The National FFA Convention is an annual convention of FFA members from around the nation and abroad. It is the largest youth convention in the country. The National FFA Convention was held in Kansas City, Missouri from 1928 to 1998. It was held in Louisville, Kentucky from 1999 until 2005. The convention is now held in Indianapolis, Indiana. During the National FFA Convention, you will attend many sessions with thousands of other FFA members from all fifty states plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. During each session, the current national FFA officers will give knowledgeable and inspiring speeches. There are also many guest speakers that will discuss their life experiences as well as many motivational speakers who will help in motivating you to become more active in organizations as well as in life. Some of these speakers include Terry Bradshaw and Henry Winkler. During the final session, you will be able to witness the installation of the new national FFA officers, which is always an exciting time. Also, you will have plenty of free time to attend the Career Show. The Career Show is filled with booths from companies such as: Ford, John Deere, NASA, Dewalt, most state FFA associations and many others. During your week at the National FFA Convention, you may also have the opportunity to attend one of the convention dances and a music concert hosted by the FFA. This year we will be sending our Agricultural Communications team for the second straight year and Jodi Roush for Extemporaneous Speaking. Good luck to both these groups. The convention is from Oct. 22nd to Oct. 25th. The National FFA Convention is a great experience that you shouldn't miss out on!

*Spotlight*

Forestry CDE

The Forestry CDE’s purpose is to provide opportunity for those students who want to demonstrate skills and competencies in forestry. This contest will have you identifying many species of trees, using a compass, and how to scale logs with a Biltmore stick. The Knox County Invitational was on September 25th. Those members who participated were: Josh Hampshire, David Sams, and Ryan Mundy. The State CDE was on September 27th. The team placed 7th in the state!!! Congratulations!!!! Placing for the team were: David Sams (21st), Josh Hampshire (28th), Brittany Pinkstock (59th), Ryan Mundy (66th) , and Aaron Miller (68th).

Adopt-a-Highway

The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA has adopted a section of State Route 159 to clean-up as part of ODOT's Adopt-a-Highway program (this is about the tenth year for our chapter to be involved in this program). The chapters section runs from just south of Tommy Wayne's Pizza to the south end of Oakland, comprising three total miles. The chapter holds an

Adopt-a-Highway clean-up after school about two to three times a year and once during the summer months.

During these clean-ups, members of the chapter walk along the highway and pick-up trash. After this is done, the ODOT workers come by and pick-up the bags of trash. This makes for a cleaner and healthier environment. This is one of the many community service projects provided by the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA. Thanks to the members who helped on Sept. 3rd.

Farm Science Review

Each September in London, Ohio, The Ohio State University holds the annual Farm Science Review. The review shows farmers and others interested in agriculture what new product developments have appeared in the past year. Farm and construction equipment innovations and demonstrations generally attract the most interest to those attending, from the 1-1/2 horsepower small engines used in the industry to the 400 horsepower tractors. All members of the FFA chapter have an opportunity to take a one-day field trip the to the review. This is an excellent educational activity for all members, providing them the opportunity to see the many facets of agriculture. This year we attended the review on Wednesday, Sept. 17th. It was amazing the FSR even took place because on Sunday, Sept. 14th most of the tents were damaged from the hurricane gusts. With 70 percent of more than 600 vendors having tents that was a heck of a task to accomplish. Eighty-nine members attended this year.

Urban & Rural Soils CDE

The rural soils judging CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students to evaluate land and soil to determine its greatest potential use. The urban land and soil judging CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students to evaluate land and soil to determine its potential use for urban, home-site, and other non-farm uses. The District Soils CDEs were held on September 23rd in Lancaster. The Urban Soils team consisting of Mike Hite, Jonathan Wampler, Titus Disbennett and Brittany Pinkstock placed 12th. Jacob White, Cheyenne Jepsen, Josh Hampshire, and Sierra Jepsen made up the Rural Soils team which placed 11th in District competition.

November Events

- November 5th: Annual Chapter Hog Roast

- November 6th: Fall Fruit Sale orders due!!! (Sell as much fruit as possible!!)

- November 11th: District 7 Agricultural Communications CDE

- November 12th: State Officer Leadership Night

- November 17th: Chapter Meeting

- November 18th: Sub-District Parliamentary Pro. CDE

- November 20th: Holiday Food Bag Drop-off in Stoutsville

- November 25th: Holiday Food Bag Pick-up in Stoutsville

-November 26th- Dec. 1st: No School - Thanksgiving Break