Hoping for a “big ‘un,” Matt Dietz and Cody Crossland try their luck at trout fishing in a Colorado stream. The FFA officer retreat in Colorado included leisure activities new to those on the trip. (Photo by Ron Smith)
FFA team places first in land judging event
--Contributed by Liz Leiker, reporter
The WaKeeney FFA chapter place first in the 2008 Northwest District Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Career Development Event on September 17.
Trego hosted the event in which 10 area schools evaluated six sites to determine factors such as texture, slope, runoff, erosion, soil fertility, permeability, and depth of soil to determine the class of land and best conservation practices for its use capability.
WaKeeney’s senior team received first place with 1,182 points. Trego dominated the event with five top-10 placers: Cody Crossland, 1st; Monte Schmitt, 4th; Liz Leiker,5th; Jimmy Gosser, 7th; and Curtis Satran, 8th.
In the Greenhand division, the first-year team earned a fourth place finish with 829 points. Placers included Kaylee Smith, 5th; and Beth Hafliger, 8th.
Other participants included Tyler Hafliger, Tyler Windholz and Ashlea S.
This competition would not have been possible without the help of the Trego Natural Resource Soil Conservation District and the WaKeeney FFA Alumni, who tabulated points and provided refreshments.
TOP RIGHT: The 2008 Northwest District Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Career Development Champs include the following senior FFA team members: Tyler Hafliger; Jimmy Gosser, 7th; Liz Leiker, 5th ; Cody Crossland, 1st; Monte Schmitt, 4th; and Curtis Satran, 8th. The WaKeeney chapter hosted the event on September 17. RIGHT: Greenhands who participated in the Northwest Kansas District Land Judging and Home site Evaluation Career Development competition included Beth Hafliger, who placed 8th; Kaylee Smith, who placed 5th; and Ashlea S.
FFA takes part in Ag Day
--FFA Reporter Liz Leiker
The WaKeeney FFA Chapter held this year’s Farm Bureau Ag Day for 4th graders at the Trego County Fair Grounds.
The surrounding schools participating included WaKeeney, Ellis, Ransom, Grinnell and Grainfield.
The goal of the day was to teach students about agricultural life so they could learn about the importance of agriculture in today’s society.
Many different presentations for the students filled the day: “What’s in Your Water?” by Stacie Minson; “Kansas Wheat” by Lois Keller; “Water Jeopardy” by Judy Kreutzer;“ Farming Is More Than Food” by Diane Hoobler; “Wow That Cow!” by Jeanne Clawson; “Soybeans” by Sarah Farlee; “Rain Simulator” by Mike Grogan; and “Sunflowers” by Brittany Nichepor. The WaKeeney FFA Members also presented the different groups of livestock to teach kids about the basic care of animals and their use in agriculture.
FFA presenters included Liz Leiker with her horse; David Ghumm and Ashlea Schneider with their poultry; Tyler Windholz with his swine; Ethan Ghumm with his sheep; Kaylee Smith with her goats; and Brandon Neff with his bucket calf.
FFA team attends retreat to prepare for new year
The FFA officer team participated in the annual officer retreat, held at Amen Cabins near Monarch, Colorado, from July 28 to August 1.
The travelers held leadership workshops during which they planned chapter activities, worked on parliamentary procedure skills and led team-building activities.
The trip also included leisure activities. Each night the group played quiz bowl to test participants’ knowledge of the FFA and Par Law. Bragging rights and missing out on kitchen duties were the prizes for the games’ victors. Also, participants engaged in white water rafting, mountain climbing on Monarch Pass, trout fishing and touring of the Colorado Gators farm near Alamosa. Here, with the assistance of a trained professional, the team got hands-on experience as they helped rescue a gator.
“It was a very successful trip, and they look forward to a great year, “ said Ron Smith, FFA advisor.
The FFA team members included Matt Dietz, Evan Cronn, Cody Crossland, Curtis Satran, Liz Leiker, Brandon Neff, Tyler Hafliger, Taylor Bliss and David Ghumm.
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| Pres. - Matt Dietz V-Pres. - Evan Cronn Sec. - Cody Crossland Treas. - Curtis Satran Rep. - Liz Leiker Sent. - Brandon Neff |
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FFA team takes 1st in State career development event
--Contributed by Liz Leiker
The WaKeeney FFA chapter traveled to Cheylin to compete in the 2008 State Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Career Development event on September 25.
WaKeeney’s team placed first among nine schools. Medalists included Curtis Satran, 1st; Cody Crossland, 3rd; Jimmy Gosser, 4th; Tyler Hafliger, 7th; and Monte Schmitt, 10th. Other team members included Kaylee Smith, Beth Hafliger, Ashlea S. and Liz Leiker.
Qualifying for the Nationals competition to be held in May, the Golden Eagle team will be one of five Kansas schools advancing to that event.
It was the team’s goal, after winning second place at State last year, to go to the national competition. To prepare, the team with have numerous practices throughout the year.
RIGHT: Competing in the State-level Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation Career Development event, Tyler Hafliger checks for the land's slope. Five local FFA members placed in the top 10 and qualified to compete in national competiton in Oklahoma City in May.
Three place in FFA Creed competition
--Contributed by Ron Smith
“I believe in the future of agriculture with a faith born not of words but of deeds” is the opening line of the five-paragraph FFA Creed, which was written by E.M. Tiffany, and which was adopted at the third National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1930.
The FFA Creed is a symbol of pride and dedication to the agricultural industry and the values that the FFA was founded.
Three local members participated at the local level in the creed speaking career development event with the opportunity to go on to the district competition to be held at Norton on October 4. Receiving first place was Kaylee Smith. Second place went to Sierra W., and Jacob Weber placed third.
This year’s local winner will receive a free FFA Jacket provided by the local chapter.
A special thanks goes out to Lori Mattke and Dan Bliss of the WaKeeney FFA Alumni for judging this year’s event.
Three freshmen, who placed in an FFA Creed speaking contest, pose with local judges. (left to right) Dan Bliss; Jacob W., third; Sierra W., second; Kaylee S., first; and Lori Mattke.
FFA Chapter travels to
National Convention
--Contributed by Ron Smith
Members of the WaKeeney FFA Chapter traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the 81st Annual National FFA Convention.
More than 50,000 national members attended this year’s event and were dazzled by the more than the $14 million in corporate sponsorship of FFA.
This year’s convention theme was “Step Up, Stand Out” and featured convention speakers, career success tours, workshops, career show, and plenty of fun for all.
Highlights of the trip included career exploration activities and tours to St. Louis Arch and museum, Kelsey Dairy Farm, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Churchill Downs, and Louisville Slugger, a business that makes bats for Major League Baseball, in Louisville, Kentucky. The group also got to see country music star Taylor Swift and attend the Extreme Bull Bash, hosted at the Indiana State Fair grounds.
Members attending the event included Cody Crossland, Curtis Satran, Evan Cronn, David Ghumm, Liz Leiker, Beth Hafliger and Kaylee Smith.
FFA Sponsor Ron Smith commented about the trip.
“This is an awesome opportunity for FFA members to see the opportunities in agriculture at a national level and bring back innovative ideas and motivation for success to the local chapter.”
FFA members Kaylee Smith and Liz Leiker are off to the races during their recent trip to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the National FFA Convention. Churchill Downs was a one stop for the travelers
