z Top Spring Fund Raiser Trip z

Up Coming Events

June 13th

Fairfield County Fair Quality Assurance

June 30th - July 2nd

Officer Retreat

July 10th - 13th

Ohio Leadership Camp

July 13th - 17th

FFA CAMP

July 20th

Canoe Trip & Trap Shoot

July 21st - 26th

Washington Leadership Conference

September 21st, 2009

Monthly FFA Meeting

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Our FFA chapter sells mulch as a fund raiser each spring. Starting in 1996, the chapter started offering a weekend camping trip to the top 10 mulch sellers. Today, the top 15 sellers who sell in excess of 150 bags and the top 2 Spring flower bulb sellers are eligible to attend. We have gone to West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania in past years. We go camping and generally do some other activity such as canoeing, overnight backpacking, white water rafting or wild caving. This trip is held in late May and consists of a 4-day, and 3-night adventure. This year we traveled to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania on May 21st through 24th for our chapters top spring fund raiser trip. Brittany Pinkstock was the top mulch seller with selling 665 bags. Andrea Hollett was the second top seller with selling 520 bags. Ray Spence was the top Spring Flower bulb seller with 50 bulbs, and C.J. Broaddus was the second highest with 45 orders. There were 17 students that went this year along with Beth Fouse, Greg Pinkstock, and Mr. Tilley. This year we set a new record of mulch bags sold. Last year it was 8,072, this year we sold a little over 10,100 bags of mulch. WAY TO GO!!!

A-C Banquet

Each year, the chapter holds it's annual chapter awards banquet. This year our banquet was held on May 16th at 4 P.M. At the banquet, the chapter recognized it's members for their participation and accomplishments for the past year. Many members received various awards ranging from their success in Career Development Events (contests) to awards based upon their SAE Projects to awards based upon their overall participation. The banquet is designed for both members and their parents to enjoy a night of good food, community fellowship and to review the accomplishments of the members for the past year. All members are expected to attend this important activity. All family was encouraged to attend. All other supports of the FFA in the community were welcome to attend also. Our award winners this year include:

The Star Greenhand winners were Nate Seitz, Emily Cordle & John Miller. The Outstanding Sophomore was Aaron Miller. The Outstanding Junior was Scott Loudermilk. The Outstanding Senior was Brittany Pinkstock. The Star Chapter award went to Brittany Pinkstock & Alyssa Jenkins. The Leadership Camp Award went to Brittany Stevens, Scott Loudermilk & Daniel Quincel. The Made for Excellence Conference award went to Emily Cordle, Sarah Vannoy & John Miller. The DeKalb Leadership Award went to Josh Cordle. The Memorial Award went to Brittany Stevens & Andrea Hollett. Congratulations to everyone!

State FFA Convention

The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA attends the State FFA Convention annually. The State FFA Convention lasts for two days on the first weekend of May at the Ohio Expo Center and is made-up of several different sessions. At those sessions, state officers and well-known presenters speak about previous experiences and developing leadership skills. Other activities include the election and presentation of the new state officers, proficiency awards are presented for those with outstanding SAE projects and the top contest teams and individuals are recognized. Students get a chance to meet FFA members from all over Ohio.

This year we had 49 students attend. This year we had Josh Cordle, David Sams & Sarah Rogers received their State Degrees. Our chapter was recognized for donating money to Children’s Hospital, and CROP/Church World Services. We also got a gold rating on the Ohio FFA Service Foundation Award. The following received awards for their proficiency projects at the state level. Kaleb Miller placed 4th in the Outdoor Recreation, Ryan Davis placed 4th in Fiber and/or oil Production and 3rd in Grain Production, and also Jodi Roush placed 2nd in Dairy Production.

FFA CAMP

Ohio FFA Camp is a summer camp for FFA members from across the state. The Ohio FFA Association established a state camping program on October 4th, 1941 and moved into the current facilities in 1943. There are now five sessions of regular FFA camp, of which, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA typically attends session five. Specialty camps such as the Fall Greenhand Camp and the Ohio Leadership Camp (OLC) are also attended by members on certain years. The chapter has seen tremendous growth in attendance in the past few years, from just one member attending in 1996 to forty-one members attending in 2008. The session our chapter is attending this year is on July 14th-17th. The FFA Camp record of members attending was set a few years ago with FairField Union bringing 52 students. This year our chapter has out done that record with 58 students! The officer team this year just beat one of their top goals in less then 4 months of being in office! The ones who are attending the 5th session this year include: Morgan Baldwin, Becca Bentz, Leah Brumfield, Hannah Chenetski, Emily Cordle, Dusty Cornell, Garran Dilley, Jenna Ferguson, Jacob Genders, Tyler Genders, Jessika Harmon, Travis Hart, Tiffany Hayman, Erin Hiestand, Michael Hite, Chancey Holbrook, Andrea Hollett, Reba Hyme, Alyssa Jenkins, Sierra Jepsen, Ellie Johnson, Seth Sayre, Ryan Kelley, Colton Kougher, Scott Loudermilk, Jamie Luck, C.J. Mets, Miranda Metzger, Aaron Miller, Brad Minnard, Alex Norris, Brianna Parrish, Brittany Pinkstock, Chasity Pinkstock, Dillon Pinkstock, Teran Pinkstock, Kayla Porter, Daniel Quincel, Hunter Ricketts, Caitlin Robinson, Trisha Russell, David Sams, Kylea Schlosser, Nate Seitz, Kelsie Sharp, Shelby Sizemore, Ike Sowers, Ray Spence, Brittany Stevens, J.D. Stover, Tyler VanHorn, Sarah Vannoy, Aundrea Wymer, Kaleb Miller & Jacob White. There are 3 students from our chapter that are attending the 4rd session instead of the 5th session due to a conflict of time, they are: Josh Hampshire, Tyler Lewis & Seth Johnson. This will be your ONLY reminder about camp. Students, You will be leaving on Monday, July 13th at approximately 9 A.M. We will be arriving back at the school Friday, July 17th approximately 3 P.M. Don’t forget all your stuff! And remember “HAVE FUN!!!”

Liberty Union Olympics

Ever since 2001 when first invited, our chapter has attended the Liberty Union FFA Ag Olympics. This is a fun, social activity held in mid-May with various competitions in which our members can compete against members from other county FFA chapters. Some of these activities include: Tug-of-war, Apple Bobbing, Milk Chugging, Pie Eating, Poop-The-Potato, etc. This is a great activity for our county chapters and our members enjoy attending this activity every year. Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter won the olympics this year!!!

Baby Animal Farm

The Baby Animal Farm is an opportunity for FFA members to show the younger students in our school district their animals. It is a good opportunity for the younger students to learn about animals that they may not know much about. The FFA members typically bring horses, dogs, rabbits and other typical farm animals to display but there are also select members who bring in exotic animals, such as snakes, tarantulas, etc. Younger students are allowed to view and generally pet these animals. It is a very enjoyable opportunity for our elementary students. The chapter has been holding this activity since the mid-1990's, generally in the month of May. This year it was held on May 20th.

Pelotonia Bike Tour Lunch

This is a bike tour that takes place from Columbus to Athens, there will be several people doing this activity. This is held as a fundraiser to collect money for cancer. This is being sponsored by NetJets & The James Cancer Center. This year they decided to use Amanda as their stop for lunch! At this point it looks like the Chapter is going to be serving them lunch at the school. This activity will happen on August 29th. More information will be announced when received.

Officer Retreat

During the summer, the officers and the assistant officers go on an out-of-state camping trip to plan the upcoming years schedule. It is a 2 to 3 day trip full of different team building activities. In previous years, the trip has consisted of white water rafting, backpacking or wild caving plus various educational stops along the way. It is a great way to accomplish the planning for the year while still having fun. The Amanda-Clearcreek Officer Retreat used to be held immediately after school is concluded in early June but now is held in late June or in July. This year it will be held June 30th till July 2nd. The main Activity this year include White Water Rafting on the New River.

Ag Challenge Points

The Ag Challenge is a competition between grade levels that involves various activities held throughout the school year. Some are activities done at the end of every chapter meeting. These are friendly competitions between the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes. Some of these activities include: Feed Bag Hold, Scavenger Hunt, Peanut Butter Face, Corn Shelling, Volleyball Tournament, Straw Bale Toss and Egg Toss. The Ag Challenge has other components that can earn a class points, such as the number of Greenhand FFA Degrees earned, the class with the best GPA for a grading period, the class with the most fruit sold, etc. All of these activities earn the respective class points and at the end of the year, the class with the most points gets steak and ice cream at the June cookout. The Ag Challenge was started during the 2000-2001 school year. In the end the seniors lead with 219 points for the 4th year in a row, the Sophomores placed 2nd with 184 points, the Freshmen placed 3rd with 139.5 and last but not least falling in behind are the juniors with 86.5 points. Those juniors need to be stepping it up for next year!

6th Grade Camp

In past years, the Amanda-Clearcreek Elementary held a 6th Grade Camp for 6th graders in which the FFA had members help with various activities. This activity was discontinued in the early 2000's and starting in 2008, was resumed in a new format by the Amanda-Clearcreek Middle School 6th grade teachers. At the 6th grade camp, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Officer team helped the camp staff at FFA Camp Muskingum with the various activities held for the A-C 6th graders. At the camp, the 6th graders did many activities that helped to develop their leadership and team building activities with the A-C FFA officer team participating and supervising the activities. Some examples of these activities are: making a rope bridge, learning about reptiles and owls, and building a device to keep an egg from breaking forma fall off of a 2nd story porch. Also, the 6th graders went on a night hike after sitting around the camp fire where they heard stories and sang songs. This was an overnight activity.

Ice Cream Social

The ice cream social is something new our chapter thought we would try this year. It will be held on August 24th at 6 P.M. It will be held in the High School Cafetorium there will be all you can eat ice cream. There will also be games provided: card games, corn hole, etc. This will be a welcoming activity for our new members starting the 2009-2010 school year!!! Come and enjoy the fun!!!

Washington Leadership Camp

The Washington Leadership Conference (previously known as the Washington Conference Program) is a 5-day conference where FFA chapter leaders from around the country have the opportunity to our nation's capitol while learning valuable skills and experiencing personal growth. Those attending are chosen through an application and interview process within the chapter. The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA awards all-expense paid scholarships at the chapter banquet to the two members who have completed the interview process and have proved they possess the characteristics of future chapter leaders. There are several times throughout the summer in which the Washington Leadership Conference is held, but our chapter usually sends its members in late July. While attending, the students meet other FFA members from all across the United States. Friendships are made that continue on even when the conference ends. The conference is led by an inspirational and energetic staff of past FFA members who are currently in college. This staff is usually composed of 5 to 6 people who work with the FFA members to improve their communication and leadership skills as well as supply them with vital qualities for a future career. This is done in workshops involving all attendants of the conference, in small groups and in one-on-one teaching. The WLC is not all work and no play. The students have the opportunity to tour the amazing sites of Washington D.C. including the Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. Some of the memorials visited include the Vietnam War Memorial, the Iwo Jima War Memorial, the Lincoln and the FDR Memorials. In their free time, the FFA members went sightseeing throughout the capitol and visited a variety of places including the Smithsonian Institution, the Holocaust Museum, Ford's Theatre, and the Washington Monument. There was also time for shopping, relaxing, eating out, swimming and a dance was held the last night. When the FFA members have to eventually depart from the Washington Leadership Conference, they know they are taking home great memories. The skills and experiences that are earned can be brought back to the home chapter to inspire and teach all FFA members how to become better leaders. The WLC is something any member with desire to achieve should strive to attend. This year the Amanda-Clearcreek chapter is sending Brittany Stevens and Andrea Hollett as their representatives. It will be held on July 21st through 26th.

Summer Hours

Tarlton Fish Fry	Adopt-A-Highway
Cross Mound Park Clean-up	Green House Work Days
Ag Breakfasts @ 8 A.M.	Trap Shoot
Ohio FFA Camp	Washington Leadership Conference
Chapter Canoe Trip	Ohio FFA Leadership Camp
Ohio Poultry Association Food Booth	Ohio Cattlemen Association Food Booth

Eight hours of time are required for summer activities, but there is no limit. Above are the activities. If an activity has a limit on how many can attend, you need to sign-up for a particular activity, so please do so as soon as possible. Details on the activities are listed below. The FFA is an intracurricular program and all Ag Ed courses are worth 1.25 credits, with the extra .25 credits being derived from FFA activities such as these. You may sign-up for as many activities as you would like. This will be the first grade of the first grading period for the 2009-2010 school year.

Ag Breakfasts

Ag breakfast will be held in Circleville at 8 A.M. on July 9th at Bob Evans and August 6th at Goodwins in Circleville. Summer hours = 1/2 hour each

Cross Mound Park Clean-up

This is a general clean-up and repair at the Cross Mound Park near Tarlton on Sixteenth road (probably 2 to 3 hours). Fence repair, trail repair, etc. You will be meeting at the park at 10 A.M. Summer Hours = the actual hours working. Members who signed up: Ed Johnson, Andrew Bennett, Cody A. Smith, Sam Meenach, Seth Sayre, Brandon Bresler, Caitlin Robinson, Emily Cordle, Kayla Porter, Cody Epley, Daniel Quincel, Jennifer Bivens, Ellie Johnson, Kennedy Hardman & Cody Brewer.

Canoe Trip

Canoe trip will be on the hocking river. This will be on July 20th, you will be leaving about 9 A.M. and get back around 4 P.M. Cost approximately $30 plus you will be stopping for lunch. Summer hours = 4 hours.

Tarlton Fish Fry

You will be meeting at the Tarlton Town Hall at 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. Must be in school appropriate dress. 20 students max, no cost, you will also get a meal. This will be held on June 25th. Summer Hours = 4 hours. Members who signed up are: Lyndsey Alexander, Ed Johnson, Andrew Bennett, Sam Meenach, Seth Sayre, Shala O’Hare, Emily Morgan, Madison Ball, Kelsie Sharp, Brandon Bresler, Alisha Campbell, Aavon Entler, Kayla Porter, Justin Strittmatter, Tiffany Hayman, Cody Sharp, Matt Lamb, Daniel Quincel, Jennifer Bivens, Matt Wamsley, Reba Hyme, Kennedy Hardman, Erin Evans, Hayley Moss & Brittany Stevens.

Ohio Commodity Food Booth Work Day at the Ohio State Fair

At the Ohio State Fair, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA members volunteer their time at various food booths run by the different agricultural commodity organizations found in Ohio. We have groups of our members that go and work a shift by making and selling food. Members then also have time on their own to experience the fair. This activity encourages our members to get involved in volunteering and helping other organizations within the agricultural community. Most years, the chapter works with the Ohio Cattleman's Association and the Ohio Poultry Association. This year we will be working both on July 29th, which is also the first day of the Ohio State Fair. Be at the school by 9 A.M. return by 9 P.M. If enough members are available we will be working the Ohio Cattlemen Association food booth at the Ohio State fair. 30 Students max, work one shift, enjoy the fair the second half, spending money needed. Summer hours = 7 hours if all day, 5 hours if half day. Ohio Poultry Association students that signed up to work are: Dustin Merritt, Brianna Parrish, Taylor Forquer, Kayla Poston, Jenni Miller, Kayla Porter, Amber Foreman, Reba Hyme, Sarah Vannoy, Brandon Hayman, Makala Blackburn, Matt Wamsley, Jessica Henderly & Jake Genders. The Ohio Cattlemen Association students that signed up include: Shala O’Hare, Kelsie Sharp, John Miller, Seth Sayre, Zach Hill, Matt Shannon, Alisha Campbell, Autumn, Dustin Merritt, Kennedy Hardman, Scott Loudermilk, Cynthia Cruit, Aidan Willis & Hannah Carpenter.

Misc. Work Days

If someone needs more hours, we will have a few days to clean main shop, organize shop etc. Summer Hours = Actual hours worked

Greenhouse Work Days

We are planning on taking quite a few days this summer to work on the greenhouse. We will need to call those that sign-up and schedule each person for individual days (only have a few people at one time.) Summer Hours = Actual hours worked

Trap Shoot

An additional Trap Shoot will be held this year at Mr. Sharp’s house. Come enjoy some fun with everyone. Get a bit to eat and shoot some clay pigeons with our chapters new thrower. This will be held on July 20th at 6 P.M. All FFA members, parents, and Alumni are invited! Summer Hours = 2 hours

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. 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 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 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. Adopt-A-Highway was held on May 20th and will again be held in the summer on August 6th meet at the Ag Shop at 10 A.M. Summer hours = 3 Hours. Members who signed up for this activity include: Lyndsey Alexander, John Miller, Emily Cordle, Kayla Porter, Erin Hiestand, Cynthia Cruit, Cody Epley, Tiffany Hayman, Ryan Mundy, Devan Picklesimer, Scott Loudermilk, Brianna Parrish, Kyle Klingler & Brittany Stevens.

Abiti Paper Recycling Program

This program is a simple and free service for communities to use for paper recycling. Distinctive green and yellow paper retriever bins are provided to encourage the community to bring their paper and put it into the drop off location, which is behind the Ag Shop, right down from where the baseball fields are located. The company accepts catalogs, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, school paper, notebooks and folders. The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter receives that money earned from our two recycling bins and that money goes into an Memorial Award account. This money is ONLY used for the Washington Leadership Conference trip. For the last few years our FFA Chapter has recycled paper for this company. This is a benefit for our school and also our FFA Chapter. So feel free to recycle what you need to into these bins at anytime (its open in the summer too).

By:

Brittany Stevens