February 23, 2015
Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
The FFA today Developing leadership, cooperation and citizenship for tomorrow’s agriculturists - this is the main goal of the national FFA organization. For 86 years, the FFA has complemented agricultural instruction by making classroom lessons come to life through realistic applications. The FFA is structured on three levels - local, state and national. A board of Directors and six student national officers leads the National FFA Organization. Together they act on recommendations from the national convention delegates and set operational policy for the FFA. The program division, FFA New Horizons magazine, and the National FFA Supply Service, located in Alexandria Virginia (headquarters) carry through the policies, and provide programs and services for the organization. The national officers represent their members. A President, secretary, and four regional vice presidents are elected each year at the national convention. State associations function within the constitution of the national organization, but also may create individual leadership, award and contest programs. Chapters are chartered through the state associations. As on the national level, state officers lead their membership of the
associations, and are elected by convention delegates. The number and types of officers at the state level may vary. In Iowa the Iowa FFA student officers include president, six vice presidents, representing the six districts (North East, North Central, North West, South West, South Central, and South East Districts), a secretary and reporter. Each district is further broken down into 4 sub districts (North East, North West, South West, and South East, representing approximately 10-11 schools per sub district). The heart of the organization is at the local level. FFA Chapters may be chartered in any public school with an agriculture education program. Officers include a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, and sentinel. Additional officers may be utilized as the local chapter sees a need. A Program of Activities is utilized, serving as a road map for planning activities and accomplishing desired goals. Each member is assigned specific responsibilities within the program of activities to ensure total member involvement. Wideranging types of activities are utilized to meet individual member needs and the needs of their community. The FFA is structures into a degree program that rewards active FFA members
for progress in all phases of leadership, skill and occupational development. The Greenhand degree and the Chapter FFA degree are awarded at the chapter level. State Associations award top members with the State FFA degree. The highest degree, the American FFA degree, is conferred on an elite group of members at the national level. In addition to active membership (retain active membership until November 30, following the fourth National FFA Convention after graduation from high school), individuals can become members in three other categories - honorary, alumni and collegiate. Honorary membership is conferred on those individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the FFA and agriculture education. This degree is found on three levels: Honorary Chapter, and American FFA Degrees. Alumni membership is available to former members and other supporters of the FFA. Collegiate members belong to FFA chapters at two or four year post secondary schools and are enrolled in agriculture courses. FFA is a vital component of the agriculture education programs involving millions of students since its inception, in 1928, located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
Creston FFA Takes 9th Place at the 2015 Iowa Beef Expo Bright and early Sunday morning, 4 Creston FFA members tested their abilities in evaluating breeding and market beef at the 2015 Iowa Beef Expo Judging contest, February 8th in Des Moines, Iowa. Members participating in the contest evaluated some of Iowa’s top breeding cattle, to say the least members were looking for the small “stuff” to select the top animals. Classes were made of either purebred or commercial beef, which included breeding heifers, and bulls. In addition to visually evaluating the animals, team members were provided with performance data, scenarios and EPDs (Expected Progeny Difference) to evaluate and
place cattle to meet specific situations. Livestock is an important factor in raising and breeding livestock. Producers use the skill of evaluation on a daily basis for the improvement of his or her herd through selective breeding practices and culling management. FFA members are learning at an early age through career development events such as livestock judging, in the classroom, and through their supervise agricultural experience (SAE) projects how to use selection as a management tool for proper and successful animal husbandry. The Creston FFA livestock judging team will continue work and practice
their skills as they prepare to participate in the Iowa FFA judging circuit this summer and the Iowa FFA state livestock judging career development event in August. The Creston FFA livestock judging team had much to celebrate, as they took home 9th place overall team at the 2015 Iowa Beef Expo Judging Contest. Over 200 youth and 31 teams competed in the contest’s youth division. Members of the 9th place team included: Tyler Waddingham, Macy Evans, Gracie Russell, and Kaden Wilson. The team also earned 4th place in team oral reasons and Tyler Waddingham placed 17th as an individual.
Pictured in the Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair Grounds for the 2015 Iowa Beef Expo judging contest are Creston FFA members: Gracie Russell, Tyler Waddingham, Kaden Wilson, and Macy Evans.
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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 3c
Creston FFA honors members at 63rd Annual Awards Banquet Adam Baker, Creston FFA senior member was awarded the Kevin Eblen Memorial scholarship and Paul and Verna Bailey Memorial scholarship as well as Zack Peppmeier, senior member, was awarded the Terry Taylor Memorial Scholarship and Paul and Verna Bailey Memorial Scholarship to assist with college expenses at the Creston FFA’s 63rd Annual Parent/Member Banquet held Sunday, May 4, 2014. Baker will pursue a degree in agriculture business at Iowa State University in the fall, Peppmeier will also pursue an agriculture degree at Southwestern Community College in the fall. Special Awards: The Chapter’s fifth FFA Pride Award was given to Carl and Donna Watson. They were cited for their support of the Creston FFA chapter through their many volunteer hours. Watson’s daughter, Rebecca, is an active member of the Creston FFA Chapter. Senior member Taylor Rice was named the chapter’s 2013-14 DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award winner. Monsanto gives the annual award to a student that not only has an outstanding SAE program but also exhibits good leadership and citizenship qualities. The FFA Distinguished
Service Award was presented to Michael Harmison of Harmison’s fundraising for his involvement in assisting with annual fall and spring fundraising. The chapter’s Honorary Chapter FFA Degree was awarded to Claudia Peppers for the effort she puts forth in supporting and assisting the chapter. Contest Awards: Members receiving contest award pins and plaques in their respective areas were Lane Miller-Public Speaking; Brooke Thelen—Extemporaneous Speaking; Tyler Waddingham –Ag Sales; Taylor Rice—Job Interview; Mattie Travis – Ag Broadcasting; John Gravlin, Ashley Harris, and Ann Waigand--Program of Activities; Olivia Hartman – Freshman Creed Speaker; Macy Evans, Will Gordon, Morgan Shawler, Trevor Marlin, Rebecca Watson, Cody Tanner, and Mattie Wheeler – Freshman Conduct of Meetings; Gracie Russell, Caitlin McIlravy, Emily Gravlin, Maria Mostek, and Becca Ross, --Parliamentary Procedures; Logan Pettit, Tom Stienbach, and Dakota Burgmeier -- Freshmen Quiz; Kyle Jennett, Jake Miller, Nicole Haley, and Emily Gravlin-Chapter Quiz competition; Adam Baker, Wyatt Thomspon, Tyson Tucker, Darrian Fischer, Zach Hoffman, Jake Miller, and Kruz Adamson – Agriculture Is-
Creston FFA’s newly elected 2013-2015 officers: (front) Ashley Harris (treasurer), Savannah Hartman (historian), Darin Hatfield (president), Brooke Thelen (vice president); (middle) Macy Evans (assistant reporter), Madison Skarda (reporter), Bryce Briley (secretary), Darrian Fischer (officer at large); (back) Zach Hoffman (sentinel), Wyatt Thompson (officer at large), and Chad Lamb (parliamentarian).
sues and Perceptions; Jake Miller, Zach Hoffman, and Bryce Briley – Ag Marketing; Madison Skarda, Savannah Hartman, Olivia Hartman, Nicole Haley, Darin Hatfield, Chad Lamb, Darrian Fischer, Macy Evans, Logan Pettit, Cody Tanner, Will Gordon, Trevor Marlin, Dillon Bailey, and Nick Walsh – Experience the Action; Adam Baker, Jacob Powers, Jeremy Stoll, and Zack Peppmeier –Farm Business Management; Taylor Rice – Secretary’s book; Madison Skarda and Savannah Hartman—Reporter’s Scrapbook; Becca Ross and Emily Gravlin –Brooke Thelen—Chapter Website. Proficiency & Degree Recognition: Darin Hatfield, Zack Peppmeier, Lane
Miller, Brooke Thelen and Tyler Waddingham were recognized by the chapter for their outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE) and received a proficiency pin. Iowa Degree recipients recognized included Bryce Briley, Ashley Harris, Darin Hatfield, Savannah Hartman, Kyle Jennett, Chad Lamb, Gavin Leith, Jake Miller, Jacob Powers, Madison Skarda, Brooke Thelen, and Tyler Waddingham. The Iowa Degree recipients received their gold charms during the 86th Sate FFA Leadership Conference held in Ames. Brooke Thelen was recognized as a Star Agribusiness finalist for her equine training and riding lessons business, this recog-
nition is determined by the Iowa FFA Degree application and record book submission. Local Chapter Recognitions: Record-keeping awards went to Olivia Hartman, Wyatt Thompson, Darin Hatfield, and Lane Miller. Zack Peppmeier received the SAE-FFA Member Point Award. Other award recipients included Dillon Bailey, Salesmanship Award; Brooke Thelen, Chapter Leadership Award; Darrian Fischer, Star Farmer Degree; Star Greenhand, Macy Evans and Mattie Wheeler; Scholarship Recognition: Mattie Wheeler, Logan Pettit, Ann Waigand, Ashley Harris, Kyle Jennett, Jeremy Stoll and Zack Peppmeier.
Other Star Awards included Brooke Thelen, Star Chapter Agribusiness and Tyler Waddingham was Star in Agricultural Placement. Kelsey Bailey, FFA Advisor, thanked the parents and community for all of their support of the Creston FFA Chapter and its members. Bailey also addressed the members expressing her appreciation for their hard work, dedication, and leadership they have shown over the past year. After the program concluded, the chapter distributed more than $500 worth of door prizes which were donated by local businesses. Approximately 110 parents, members, and guests were in attendance.
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Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Youth involved in three-day bicycle safety program Everyone can fondly remember riding bicycles as a child. However, most people don’t know that every year about 176,000 kids go to the emergency room of a hospital because of bike accidents. Some of these injuries are so serious that children die, usually from head injuries. This is a problem the Creston FFA membership has been addressing for more than a decade. In this time well over 2,100 young people have been taught the importance of bicycle safety and provided with a helmet they can wear when riding their bikes. Creston FFA, working with the Creston Law Enforcement Center and the Union County Sheriff’s Department, presented their annual three-day bicycle safety program to over 200 first and second grade students in the Creston public and St. Malachy schools on May 15th, 16th, and 23rd. With the help of the Creston police, FFA members explained the importance of wearing safety gear and knowing the correct hand signals when riding a bicycle. Students received a coloring page on bicycle safety and were provided the opportunity to demonstrate how to properly ride a bicycle on a city street, how to use hand signals when turning away or into traffic,
and how to approach various street signs on a bicycle safety rodeo course. The Chapter was assisted in its presentations by local police officer Pat Henry. According to newly elected Chapter President Darin Hatfield, officer Pat Henry was very important to the overall program’s success. “The law enforcement always works well with the young people and are very knowledgeable about the bicycle safety laws, adding credibility to our presenta-
tion and program,” added newly elected Chapter Vice President Brooke Thelen another FFA member involved in the safety program. “Safety can save lives if we take it seriously,” stated FFA member Taylor Rice. “If we can get one youngster to look before crossing an intersection, our efforts will be worthwhile,” added Kyle Jennett who was a member of the team which presented the programs to the Creston area youth.
FFA member Darin Hatfield is shown assisting a bicycle safety participant learn how to use the “Stop” signal for when riding her bicycle where there might be traffic. First and second grade students participated in the chapter’s three-day bicycle safety program. The local FFA Chapter and Union County Law Enforcement Center purchased helmets that were given to all first grade participants.
212 and 360 leadership conferences 212° – the temperature at which water boils is the theme for the Iowa FFA fall leadership conference held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC campus in Ankeny, Iowa. At the conference the focus was on taking students to the boiling point of leadership. At 211° water is extremely hot, but just one more degree gets us to the next level. This conferences focused on student development. Students were challenged to push the limits. This year the conference specifically address the concept of virtue – what will it take to be a person of high morals and standards. Creston FFA’s freshmen members Taylor Sorrells and Jordan Moreland took on the challenge of starting their FFA leadership journey by attending the November 15th 212 Leadership Conference. The 360° leadership con-
ference took Creston FFA members Livi Hartman and Rebecca Watson full circle in chapter leadership development. The conference covered every angle for developing action plans for the chapter. This conference focused on chapter development and the theme centered
around the concept of vision – having a vision for personal and chapter goals. The 212 and 360 leadership conferences are sponsored by Syngenta, Crop Production Services, Helena and Willbur Ellis as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Creston FFA members attending the 2014 212 conference were freshman Taylor Sorrells and Jordan Moreland. The two girls learned the FFA is an organization that puts emphasis on the importance of living by and showing high morals and standards, this year’s conference was centered on virtues.
Creston FFA chapter members Livi Hartman and Rebecca Watson dedicated an entire Saturday toward learning how to build their FFA chapter’s program. Livi and Rebecca attended the FFA 360 Leadership Conference on November 22 at the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center on the DMACC campus in Ankeny, Iowa.
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Creston FFA Chapter named One of Iowa’s Best at State Leadership Conference Creston FFA members along with advisor Kelsey Bailey, and chaperones Wayne Hanson and Cody Lamb, were among the over 5,000 members and guest who attended the recently completed 86th annual State FFA Leadership Conferences in Ames, Iowa, April 28th and 29th. The Creston FFA Chapter’s tradition of excellence continued when the local FFA Chapter was again recognized as on of the elite programs in the state of Iowa during the 2014 State FFA Leadership Conferences proceedings held in Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University. The Creston FFA Chapter placed in the state’s National Chapter Award competition earning a gold emblem award and recognized with the Supreme National Chapter award. The chapter’s application will advance to National competition this fall. Creston FFA was busy with leadership contest while attending the conference. Maddie Travis participated in the state level agriculture radio broadcasting career development event earning a silver award. A large Experience the Action team earned a silver emblem at state conference, the team consisted of: Madison Skarda, Savannah Hartman, Olivia Hartman, Logan Pettit, Nicole Haley, Darin Hatfield, Chad Lamb, Darrian Fischer, Macy Evans, Cody
Tanner, Will Gordon, Trevor Marlin, Dillon Bailey, and Nick Walsh. The agriculture marketing team earning a silver emblem, the team was made of Bryce Briley, Jake Miller, and Zach Hoffman. The farm business management team made of Adam Baker, Zack Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll and Jacob Powers earned a gold rating at state. Two freshman members, Morgan Shawler and Mattie Wheeler earned a silver emblem for the greenhand quiz contest. The chapter display earned a bronze emblem; Becca Ross and Emily Gravlin created this year’s state chapter display. Individual FFA members were recognized and awarded for their outstanding leadership, SAE projects, and classroom achievement. Brooke Thelen was a candidate for the Star Over Iowa in Agribusiness. Brooke has an outstanding equine training and lessons business as well as competes in many barrel racing events; Brooke also raises and exhibits cattle, all of which she documents as her SAE in her record book. Wyatt Thompson was recognized as one of six Rising Star candidates. The Rising Star is an award presented to a sophomore member who shows outstanding leadership and growth in the FFA. Darin Hatfield was recognized as the top proficiency state winning member for his SAE in agribusiness place-
ment, Darin’s application has been advanced to the national level. Zack Peppmeier was awarded second place proficiency in diversified livestock production. Lane Miller received 3rd place at state with his equine science entrepreneurship proficiency and Brooke Thelen earned 4th place with her equine science placement proficiency. Four members earned the state’s academic achievement award they are: Adam Baker, Taylor Rice, Zack Peppmeier, and Jeremy Stoll. Twelve local FFA members were awarded the Iowa FFA Degree during the convention proceedings. This degree is the highest honor the Iowa FFA Association bestows upon its membership. Recipients of this honor must put forth great effort through involvement in course work, leadership, and SAE achievement. Those earning their Iowa FFA Degrees include: Bryce Briley, Ashley Harris, Savannah Hartman, Darin Hatfield, Kyle Jennett, Chad Lamb, Gavin Leith, Jake Miller, Jacob Powers, Madison Skarda, Brooke Thelen, and Tyler Waddingham. Over 20 Creston FFA members participated in the Iowa FFA’s state philanthropy project while attending the convention. Meals from the Heartland set up packaging tables on the floor of Hilton Coliseum, where thousands of FFA members
41 Creston FFA members attended the 2014 86th Annual Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in Ames, Iowa, April 28th and 29th. Members participated in many leadership career development events as well as honored for outstanding achievements.
packaged over 260,000 meals to give to the food insecure. Such meals will be shipped throughout the world and domestically to aid in fighting the global food insecurity epidemic. The Creston FFA Chapter was assigned the duty to assist in the clean up and load out of the 260,000
meals. Creston FFA members look forward to helping with the annual project, Chad Lamb states, “I like helping with Meals from the Heartland, it makes you feel good to know you are helping others.” Other member involvement saw Brooke Thelen
and John Gravlin serve as state delegates voting on all official business and state officer elections. The Chapter was extremely proud of our current president, Lane Miller, for making the state officer ballot for the South Central State Vice President.
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Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Local Chapter History Vocational Agriculture, now called ASTM (Agriculture Science, Technology & Marketing) began in 1917 when Congress passed the Smith Hughes Act and in 1928 the FFA organization was established. It was not until 1951 that the FFA became a part of the Creston Community School system. From its inception the Creston FFA Chapter has grown. Initially the program was located in a small room at the old high school, but by 1969 the enrollment of 58 students had outgrown its small facility. That year the ground was broken for a new facility on the corner of Swan and Pine streets. Evert C. Hunsicker was the instructor at that time. After Hunsicker’s retirement in 1977, Galen R. Zumbach became the sixth FFA advisor to work in the Creston Community School System until his retirement in 2010. Kelsey Bailey became the seventh FFA Advisor to head the Creston FFA program when she began her duties in the 201011 school year. Today the Creston FFA membership has become one of the top programs in the state of Iowa and the nation with a membership of 85 students. The Creston FFA Chapter was recognized nationally for thirteen years in Building Our American Communities
winning state and national competition in 1993 and state competition in 1994. After twenty-three years the BOAC program was discontinued in 1995. During the past sixteen years the Creston FFA Chapter has been recognized as one of the nation’s top programs in the FFA’s National Chapter Award Program competition. Since 1986 the Creston FFA membership won state competition in the National Chapter Safety Award Program six times (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996). The Safety program was discontinued in 1996. Both BOAC and Safety are now part of the new National Chapter Award program. The Creston FFA Chapter was the only Iowa chapter to be recognized in all three national chapter award programs areas (BOAC, Safety, National Chapter) from 1985 to 1995. These accomplishments led to the Creston FFA Chapter being named Iowa’s top FFA Chapter in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995, in what was then called Triple Crown competition, and as Iowa’s Supreme FFA Chapter in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2006 in the new National Chapter Award Program competition. In 1996 the Creston FFA Chapter was only one of three chapters in the nation to be a top ten finalist in all three national chapter award areas (chapter
development, student development and community development) being selected as the nation’s best in community development. In 1997 and 1998 the chapter was named a finalist in two of the national chapter award competition areas (Community Development and Chapter Development) winning in the area of Community Development for a second and third time. The local Chapter is the only chapter in the nation to win three national chapter award competitions. In 1999 and 2003 the chapter was named a national merit finalist in Community Development, and Chapter Development, winning the community development award on the state level in 1999. Nine times in the past fifteen years the local chapter has been named a state winner in one of the five chapter areas (Economic, Environment, Human Resources, Agricultural Awareness) found in the National Chapter Award Program. The Community Development Recognition Program was created in 2004 to recognize those programs in the state that most impact their communities in the following area: (1) Economic, (2) Environment, (3) Human Resources, and (4) Agricultural Awareness. The Creston FFA Program has won the overall state CDRP competitions in 2007 and 2010. In
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 the local chapter was named a winner in the areas of either environmental or economic development on the state level. Since 1977, 221 chapter members have received State FFA degrees. Prior to 1977 four chapter members received this coveted honor. Terry Taylor was the first member to receive this honor in 1961 followed by James Jones in 1962, Raymond Wilson in 1965, and John Wolfe in 1971. Raymond Wilson and his son Chris and daughter Erin were the first and only father, son, daughter combinations to receive their state FFA degrees. Chris received his degree in 1988 while Erin received her degree in 1992. Other chapter members who received their state FFA degrees since 1977 were David Brown, 1979; Dan Hawks, and Larry Bailey, 1980; Dennis Leith (Star South Central District-production), 1981; Brad Anderson, Joe Moore, Mick Pettit, and Kevin Moulin, 1982; Roger Baker, Lori Hartsook, Kevin Eblen, Dean Leith, and Ron Skarda, 1983; Steve Weese, Tim Loudon, Steve Rhine, Thane Glynn, and Alan Weisshaar, 1984; Greg Ehm, Scott Pettit, and Rick Quam, 1985; Tony Clem, Chuck Denton (Star South Central District-agribusiness), Doug
Fils, Brian Priest, and Ken Kline, 1986; Eddie Ide, Kara Frey, and Tom Woodard (Star South Central DistrictAgribusiness and Star Iowa Agribusinessman) 1987; Brian Smith, Sherry Sammons, Sean Dunphy, John Taylor, and Chris Wilson, 1988; Jodi Western, Scott Finn, and Kirk Francis, 1989; Alan Bennett, Derek Mohr (Star South Central Districtproduction), Matt Johnson, Rob Evans, and Shawn Kline, 1990; Erin Wilson, 1992; Ryan Mohr, Rod West, Ben Adamson, Andy Johnson, Matt Moberg, and T.J. Dunphy, 1993; Rick Reeve, Brad James, Jan James, Darren Long (Star South Central District Farmer), Jamie Travis, 1994; Brook Linderman, Chad Rieck, Melissa Baker, Brad Van Gelder, Nathan Pottinger, Ann Moberg, Michelle Saville and Shamus Stephens in 1995; Scott Evans, and Jake Tripp, 1996; John Paul Pokorny, Clint Travis, Amanda James, Clint Brown, Cody Purdum, Trista Ide, Kory Tanner in 1997, and Corey Bailey, Josh Sevier, Philip Moberg, Clint Hoffman, Meredith Baker, Mike Taylor, Curtis Hoakison, and Mandy Travis in 1998; Carly Hoffman, Caleb Hoakison, Nathan Studer, Levi Buxton, Charlie Tripp, Jeremy Ide, Nathaniel Jackson, Brian Bolton, Adam Travis, Logan Jackson, 1999; Jill Tussey, Dusty
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Brown, Rachel Bolton, Aaron Hoyt, Janelle Buxton, Josie Stephens, Matt McNichols, Trina White, Brad Crill, Casey Purdum, Chad Ide, Cody Waltersdorf; 2000; Adrian Richardson, Francine Jackson, Derek Quam, Travis Eggman, Kashia Studer, Blair Taylor, Alyssa Franklin, Clint Travis, Matt Raemaker, Nathan Katzer, Kelsey Hoakison, Cody Bailey and Matt Buck, 2001; Cody Bailey, Nathan Katzer, Cole Miller, Cody Frey, Mike Hilger, Cory Hoakison, Lindsay Loomis, Mallory Travis, Nick Tussey, Taften Kuhl, Kevin Lents, 2002; Jeff Baker (Star Iowa Agribusiness Degree Finalist) Mike Baker, Dan Martwick, Nick Schultz, Tyler Mahan, Sam Aleto, Michael Buck, David Schroder, Jordan Kralik, Ashley Studer, Chris Downing, Tim Jennett, Luke Baker, Matt Ramaeker , 2003; Sam Johnson, Jacque Jay, Megan Brown, Jim Ide, 2004; Austin Studer, Andy Jennett, Ashley Hartsook, Laura Baker, Heidi Ramaeker, Brooke Peppmeier, Austin Berry, Justin Linderman, Jacob Schierbaum, Adam Leith, Sam Katzer, Damian Richardson, Tyler Wolf, 2005; Curtiss Bird, Eric Bradley, Caleb Brus, Judd Goldsmith, Jenny Hagen, Michael Hyde, Emily Please see HISTORY, Page 7
Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 7c
HISTORY: Continued from Page 6
Ide, Jason Lents, Tyrell Miller, Steven Moeller, Steve Myers, Keith Peterson, Nicole Stoll, Cameron Weeda, Ben Weis, 2006; Alex Johnson, Kyle Thelen, Casey Frey, Jacob McGehee, Cody Pearson, Sarah Studer, Candace Weeda, Quin Leith, Jared Johnson, Tyler Harris, Adam Riley, Josh Maitlen, Abby Kinyon, Doug North., and Kyle Thelen (Star Ag Placement Finalist) 2007; Liz Beatty, Brandon Frey, Peyton Glynn, Rachel Griffith, Brian Katzer, Zac Leith, Pete Myers, Ayla Peppmeier, Todd Ramaeker, Daniel Riley, Alec Smith, Maggie Thelen, Nathan Vicker, Grant Wood, 2008; Colton Dunphy (Star Agribusiness Placement) Frances Myers, Ethan Harris, Seth Pals, Tyler Pettit, Kevin Irr, Spencer Bakerink, Mackenzie Pearson, Donovan Richardson, and T’Lee Ray, 2009; Isaac Sedlmayr, Brian West, Sarah Jennett, Chase Blazek, Haley Stalcup, Ashley Peters, Klint Craft, Chelsea Ekeler, and Alec Paup, 2010; Brad Weis, Allison Wood, Mallory Griffith in 2011; Zach Powers, Theo Hartman, and Lanae Ramaeker in 2012; Adam Baker, Lane Miller, Zack Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll, Cooper Bailey, Taylor Rice, Zaidy Frank, and John Gravlin in 2013; Darin Hat-
field, Chad Lamb, Gavin Leith, Jake Miller, Bryce Briley, Brooke Thelen, Savannah Hartman, Madison Skarda, Jacob Powers, Kyle Jennett, Ashley Harris, and Tyler Waddingham in 2014. Just as the State FFA degree is a good indication of outstanding individual programs, sixty-one members have gone one step further when they received the American FFA degree. This degree is the highest honor the National FFA organization can bestow on one of its members. Creston FFA members who have received this coveted degree are Dennis Leith, 1984; Kevin Eblen, 1986; Chuck Denton, 1987; Ken Kline and Brian Priest, 1988; Tom Woodard, Chris Wilson, 1989; Jodi Western, 1991; Alan Bennett, 1992; Erin Wilson, 1994; Ryan Mohr, Darren Long, 1995; Shamus Stephens, Michelle Saville, Ann Moberg, 1997; Clint Brown, Trista Ide, Cody Purdum, 1999; Mike Taylor, Nathan Studer, Philip Moberg, Nathaniel Jackson, and Cory Bailey; 2000; Cory Hoakison, 2001; Francine Jackson, Dusty Brown, Chad Ide, 2002; Derek Quam, 2003; Cody Bailey, Nathan Katzer, Kevin Lents, Lindsay Loomis, Cody Frey, Jeff Baker, Cole Miller, Michael Hilger, 2004; Tim Jennett, Luke Baker 2005; Megan Brown, Jimmy Ide, and
Sam Johnson, 2006; Austin Studer, Brooke Peppmeier, Andy Jennett, Justin Linderman, Laura Baker, Heidi Ramaeker, and Sam Katzer, 2007; Jason Lents, Pete Myers, Cameron Weeda, Kyle Thelen, and Tyrell Miller, 2008; Quinn Leith, and Candace Weeda, 2009; Brian Katzer, Liz Beatty, Todd Ramaeker, Zac Leith, Ayla Peppmeier, and Maggie Thelen in 2010; Ethan Harris and Tyler Pettit in 2011: Haley Stalcup and Alec Paup in 2012; and Zach Powers in 2014. The Creston FFA Chapter has also been fortunate enough to have twenty-two members hold several offices above the local level with four members serving on either the state or national levels. Kevin Eblen was named National FFA President in 1986-87 after serving the Iowa FFA Association as Secretary and President in 1984-85 and 1986-86 respectively. Brian Priest served the State FFA Association as Vice President in 1987-88. Erin Wilson and Jan James represented the Iowa FFA Association as Reporters in 1993-94, and 1994-95 respectively. Ann Moberg served the Iowa FFA Association in 1996-97 as State FFA Reporter. Dan Hawks became the first member to serve above the local level when in 1980 he served the South Central
District as treasurer. Other members to serve on the district level were Steve Sedam and Brad Anderson who served as District Reporters in 1981 and 1982 respectively; Kevin Eblen, District Reporter -1983 and District Vice President - 1984; Brian Priest, District Reporter 1985; Kara Frey, District Secretary - 1986; Sherry Sammons, District Reporter - 1987; Alan Bennett, District Sentinel - 1988; Alan Bennett and Scott Finn, District Treasurer and District Secretary respectively - 1989; Rachel Kneedler, District Reporter - 1991; Erin Wilson, District Treasurer - 1992; Ryan Mohr, and Erin Wilson served as District Treasurer, and District Reporter respectively in 1993; Dirk Glynn, District Treasurer, and Jenni Wernli, District Sentinel 1994, Amanda James, District Reporter-1996, Mike Taylor, was elected District Secretary in 1997, and S.C. District Vice President in 1998; Caleb Hoakison, District Sentinel, 2000; Megan Brown District Sentinel in 2004, and Donovan Richardson, District Treasurer in 2009. Since 1977, 252 members have participated in the state FFA leadership speaking contest areas with fifteen contest state winners. They were Kevin Eblen, Tim Loudon and
Rick Quam, Program of Activities - 1984; Greg Ehm, Mike Gilman, and Kevin Johnston, Program of Activities - 1985; Mark Swift, Brian Priest, and Tom Woodard, Program of Activities - 1986; Doug Fils, Extemporaneous Speaking - 1986; Sean Dunphy, Public Speaking - 1987; Derek Mohr, Alan Bennett, and Kirk Francis, Program of Activities - 1989; Scott Finn, Public Speaking - 1989; Kari Van Gelder, Loretta Harvey and Matt Johnson, Program of Activities - 1991; Erin Wilson, Jan James and Kory Borcherding, Program of Activities - 1992; Wesley James, Extemporaneous Speaking, 1992; Jan James, Public Speaking - 1994; Chad Rieck, Lonny Miller and Nathan Pottinger, Program of Activities, 1994; Hilaree Freml, D.D. Moffitt, and Heidi Calvin, Program of Activities, 2000; Nicole Stoll, Andy Jennett and Laura Baker, Program of Activities in 2006, and Donovan Richardson in the Freshmen Creed contest in 2007; Haley Stalcup, Job Interview in 2011; Brooke Thelen, Public Speaking 2013; Maddie Travis, Radio Broadcasting in 2014. Jan James won the 1995 Central Regional Public Speaking competition and placed second nationally. Eleven members have finished second in State
Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Radio Broadcasting, Program of Activities team, and Freshmen Creed Speaking competitions. They were Kevin McGlothlen in 1981, Kevin Eblen in 1983, Tim Loudon in 1985, Alan Bennett (Public Speaking), Scott Finn (Extemporaneous Speaking) in 1990; Erin Wilson (Public Speaking) in 1993, Gerry Miller (Creed Speaking) in 2002, Sam Johnson in Radio Broadcasting and Megan Brown, Jacque Jay, and Patrick Walsh (POA) in 2005, and Jason Lents, Nicole Stoll and Eric Bradley (POA) in 2007, In the official leadership speaking contests, the following have competed on the state level: twenty-two Program of Activities teams, eleven extemporaneous speakers, seventeen parliamentary procedure teams, nine Freshmen Conduct of Meeting teams, twenty public speakers, eight Freshmen Creed Speakers, thirteen Radio Broadcasting competitors, three Ag Sales contestants, and seven job interview leadership contests. Other contest accomplishments, since 1979, include fifty-three members advancing officer books to state competition. The following placed second in the State Please see HISTORY, Page 8
WORK with PRIDE
It takes hard work and dedication to be a farmer. That’s why we’re proud to salute the young men and women of FFA who have committed themselves to continuing this challenging and important profession!
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Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
HISTORY: Continued from Page 7
Reporter Scrapbook Contest: Kari Van Gelder, 1991; Matt Moberg; Brett Moffitt, 2002; Candace Weeda, 2007; Rachel Griffith in both 2008 and 2009; Mallory Griffith winning tops scrapbook in 2011. Trista Ide’s and Ashley Hartsook’s reporter’s scrapbooks placed third in 1997 and 2006 respectively. Amanda James, Francine Jackson, and Mallory Travis won the State Reporter’s Scrapbook Contest in 1998, 2000, and 2003 respectively. In the Des Moines Register Chapter Reporter Award competition Heidi Osche, Scott Finn, Kari Van Gelder (Kari also had the second place reporter’s scrapbook in 1991), Jan James, Michelle Saville, Cali Cross, Rachel Griffith, and Mallory Griffith were named the state’s top reporter in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2008, and 2011 respectively. Trista Ide and Francine Jackson were named the Iowa runner-up in 1997 and 2000. Mallory Griffith was the winning scrapbook in 2011. Amanda James, Taften Kuhl, and Candace Weeda placed third in 1998, 2003, and 2007. Haley Stalcup was named the top reporter in the ASTM/SAE Reporter Award competetion in 2010. Jacque Jay became the first chapter reporter to place first in
the ASTM/SAE Reporter Award sponsored by the Iowa FFA Alumni Association in 2004. Donovan Richardson became the first Creston Chapter member to have the chapter’s secretary’s book place as high as second in state competition in 2009. Two hundred and sixtytwo members have advanced proficiencies to the state level with fifty-four state and three national winners being named. Brian Priest won both state and national proficiency competition in 1986 in the area of Soil and Water Conservation. Brian Bolton was named the national winner in outdoor recreation in 1998, and Andy Jennet won the nation in the proficiency area of Turfgrass Management in 2008. Other members who have been recognized as national proficiency finalists include Levi Buxton in Agricultural Mechanics/Technical Placement, and Caleb Hoakison in Outdoor Recreation in 1998 and 2001 respectively, Michael Hilger in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Placement in 2003, and Tim Jennett in the area of Landscape Management Placement in 2004. Other state proficiency winners include Scott Reasland, Outdoor Recreation, 1985; Chuck Denton, Agriculture Processing, 1986;
Rob Evans, Agriculture Placement, 1990; Brad James, Wildlife Management; 1995; Shamus Stephens, Equine Production, 1996; Ann Moberg, Forestry Production, 1996; Brian Bolton, Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur, 1997, Michelle Saville, Ag Sales & Service Placement, 1997; Levi Buxton, Agricultural Mechanics, 1998; Mike Taylor, Beef Placement, 1998; Philip Moberg, Outdoor Recreation, 1998; Cody Purdum, Diversified Crop Production, 1998, Brian Bolton, Wildlife Management, 1998; Nathan Studer, Beef Placement, 1999; Tanner Kuhl, Forestry Placement, 1999; Alyssa Franklin, Sheep Entrepreneur; Caleb Hoakison, Outdoor Recreation; Philip Moberg, Agricultural Sales & Service Placement; Jill Tussey, Specialty Animal Entrepreneur, 2000; Taften Kuhl*, Forestry; Aaron Hoyt, Beef Production Placement; Matt McNichols, Agricultural Sales Placement, Cody Waltersdorf, Diversified Crop Production Placement; Chad Ide, Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship; Brad Crill Outdoor Recreation, Jill Tussey in Specialty Animal Placement, 2001; Tim Jennett, Turf & Lawn Management Placement, Taften Kuhl* in Landscape Management Placement, 2002; Mike Hil-
ger Environmental Science/ Natural Resource Placement, Cole Miller, Turfgrass Management, Taften Kuhl*, Community Development, Derek Quam in the area of Poultry Production Placement , 2003; Taften Kuhl,* Environmental Science & Natural Resources Placement; Cory Hoakison, Ag Sales & Service; Cody Bailey, Beef Placement; Lindsay Loomis, Swine Placement; Tim Jennett, Landscape Management Placement, Tyler Mahan in the area of Ag Sales Service Placement, 2004; Andy Jennett, Turf grass Management Placement; Kyle
Thelen, Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurship; Tyrell Miller, Grain Production Placement, and Ashley Hartsook, Equine Entrepreneurship (*Kuhl-4time state winner), 2006; Jason Lents, Beef Placement; Cameron Weeda, Forage Placement, and Andy Jennett in Turfgrass Management Placement, 2007; Maggie Thelen, Equine Entrepreneurship; and Jason Lents in Forage Production Placement, 2008; Todd Ramaeker, Grain Production Placement; Colton Dunphy, Poultry Production Placement, and Ethan Harris in Agri-
cultural Sales Placement, 2009; Ayla Peppmeier, Diversified Livestock Production, Todd Ramaeker in Diversified Crop Production in 2010, and Darin Hatfield in Agricultural Sales Placement in 2014. By promoting leadership, skill development, and community involvement, the Creston FFA looks for many more success stories to come. It is the hope of its membership that the next 64 years will bring as much growth and successes as have the years since the chapter was founded in 1951.
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Creston FFA competes in Beef Scholarship Extravaganza December 12th marked a first for the Creston FFA Chapter as 3 members competed in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Beef Scholarship Extravaganza. Senior, Tyler Waddingham and juniors Gracie Russell and Sydney Dunphy tested their beef industry knowledge. These members were responsible for knowing and understanding processes involved in the beef industry, include: handling and health, nutrition, marketing, seedstock merchandizing, job interview, keep-cull replacements heifers, reproduction, credit and finance, beef industry issues, and beef management challenge. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation hosts the Beef Scholarship Extravaganza, which offers more than $7,600 in scholarship awards. This contest is different from a regular judging contest as it incorporates all facets of the beef industry, not to mention it is very challenging and takes many hours of preparation. Tyler Waddingham shares what he has gained from the contest, “I
feel like what I have learned through my experience in the Beef Extravaganza will benefit me in the future as I have gained a wealth of knowledge about different areas of the beef industry.” Gracie Russell adds, “This experience has made me realize how many job opportunities are available in the beef industry; it has sparked my interest in pursing a career in the beef industry.” And Sydney Dunphy said “From the contest I realized I knew more about the beef industry than what I gave myself credit for and I stepped out of my comfort zone by giving a presentation to the judges.” The contest is open to junior and senior members; both Gracie and Sydney plan to compete in the contest again in 2015. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation made the contest possible by securing funding from these supporters: Land O’Lakes Purina Feeds, Farm Credit Services of America, Iowa Beef Breeds Council, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation.
Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 9c
The Tree Tradition Continues For many years, the Creston FFA Chapter has prided itself on enhancing the beauty of the Creston community by planting trees and has been recognized by organizations at the local, state and national levels. It is important to the members of the chapter to give to the community now so that it will continue to be a beautiful place to live and not to forget, we have a lot of fun planting trees! Mr. Galen Zumbach is an important partner in the chapter’s tree planting as began the chapter’s tradition and continues to volunteer to write grants for the chapter to secure funding for the planting projects. Mr. Zumbach also helps find locations in the community that would benefit from new
plantings and or replacements trees. Creston FFA partners with Trees Forever granting program as well as Earl May to purchase the trees and assist with the planting design. In the fall of 2014, Creston FFA planted trees at three locations, including: McKinley Park, Graceland Cemetery, and Creston High School. The selection of tree specimens for the plantings are both for function as well as diversification. Diversifying the tree specie population has been a focused effort to avoid an over population of one tree and run the risk of disease or pest out break, such is the case of the Emerald Ash Borer. A wide variety of deciduous shade trees and coniferous trees have been planted.
Pictured (left to right) are upperclassmen FFA members Sydney Dunphy, Tayler Pettit, Cameron Leith, and Wyatt Thompson working together to plant trees on a crisp fall morning.
AIN’T NO
Senior member, Chad Lamb, and junior member, Rebecca Watson finish planting a White Pine tree in the center lane of the main entrance at Graceland Cemetery.
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Page 10c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Creston FFA members highlight South Central FFA Chapters Host Over 400 Members SAE Projects at state level Supervised Agricultural Experience, SAE for short, is a project that all FFA members conduct in order to be considered an active member. SAEs are an integral part of the FFA learning model as it provides the opportunity for the members to practice skills and knowledge gained from the classroom and apply them to real situation that are meaningful to the member. Such projects are both traditional and non-tradition in nature, for the Creston FFA Chapter there is a combination of both. The Iowa State Fair provides an outstanding opportunity for FFA members to exhibit the work they have put into their SAEs throughout the year. Creston FFA members were particularly active in livestock projects this year, having 6 members exhibiting livestock and one member serving as a grandstand usher. Venues like the Iowa State Fair provide members networking, skill building, and life experiences that cannot be mimicked in the classroom. Creston FFA members exhibiting at the Iowa State Fair were extremely successful with Melissa Lindley winning the FFA Horse show barrel racing event as well as many blue ribbons awarded
Creston FFA member, Gracie Russell, pictured (middle exhibitor) exhibiting market lambs at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.
in performance classes. Jessica Beatty received 4th place overall in the ranch horse please division, 3rd place in her 2-year old halter class, and 5th place in 2-year old pleasure class. Tiffany Beatty exhibited the 2nd place 2-year old halter class and 3rd place in her ranch horse pleasure class. In the beef arena Jordyn Walsh place second with her Charolais breeding heifer and Lane Miller placed 4th in his commercial breeding heifer class. Gracie Russell exhibited 3rd place and 4th place were her market lambs. Tyler Waddingham was
selected by the Iowa FFA Association to serve as an Iowa State Fair Grandstand Usher. Waddingham spent the entire period of the Iowa State Fair serving the fair board and fair goers by manning the entrance gates, distributing fair programs, and most importantly helping people find their seats for the grandstand concerts. Through this experience, Tyler networked with FFA members throughout the state and interacted with Iowa State Fair and agricultural industry leaders and not to forget a few celebrities!
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Tuesday, September 30th, marked a first for the Creston and Wayne-Corydon FFA chapters as together they hosted the first multi Career Development Event (CDE) for the South Central FFA District. Over 400 members from 22 school gathered at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Osceola to participate in 5 different events – livestock evaluation, horse evaluation, dairy foods evaluation, farm business management exam, junior quiz and senior quiz. Career Development Events (CDE) provides opportunities for FFA members to apply their knowledge and skill attained in the classroom to situations that require evaluation and reasoning. CDEs are de-
signed to test members’ agricultural abilities that are pertinent for securing agricultural careers. Creston FFA Advisor, Kelsey Bailey, said “There is a need in our area to provide a venue such as the fall CDE day to get our new members interested in the contests as well challenge the skills of our older members.” Dan May, WayneCorydon FFA Chapter Advisor, added “We have had the event idea since last fall, over the summer we worked to move the idea forward and with the right connections, we were able to make the event possible.” The Creston FFA Chapter faired very well at the September contests as the horse judging team earned
first place with Cade Vicker earning first place individual honors and Taylor Sorrells earning second place individual honors. The livestock judging team also represented Creston very well earning 3rd place team; Tyler Waddingham earning first place individual honors, Wyatt Thompson earned 3rd place individual and Dalten Bierle earned 10th place individual. When asked, Wyatt Thomspon had this to say about his participation in judging livestock, “I enjoy judging (livestock) because I have the chance to challenge myself and see just how good I am at picking out the best stock. I raise cattle with my dad, so having an eye for cattle is important to me.”
Pictured is Creston FFA livestock and horse judging team members that competed at the 2014 Fall CDE day hosted by the Creston and Wayne Corydon FFA Chapters. Members are (front): Taylor Sorrells, Savannah Hartman, Cade Vicker, Macy Evans, Gracie Russell; (middle) Jordan Moreland, Nathan Pudenz, Dalten Bierle, Wyatt Thompson, Zach Hoffman; (back) Kaden Wilson and Tyler Waddingham.
February 21-28, 2015
Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015— Page 11c
“Go All Out!” marked the 87th National FFA Convention Macy Evans, Madison Skarda, Savannah Hartman, Mattie Wheeler, Ashley Harris, Brooke Thelen, Will Gordon, Wyatt Thompson, Zach Hoffman, Chad Lamb, Darin Hatfield, Jacob Powers, Nathan Pudenz, and Darrian Fischer know firsthand why “Go All Out” was the theme for the 87th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The convention’s theme symbolized the agricultural education organization’s mission to spark the passion and purpose to prepare students for success throughout their lives. More than 60,000 FFA members, advisors, supporters, and guests were in attendance at the annual convention held October 28th thru November 1st. The Creston FFA Chapter received a 2-Star National Chapter Award for its outstanding efforts in promoting and working toward the development of its members, chapter, and community by developing individual and cooperative activities that enhanced its members’ life skills; promoting its ability to develop a positive image, and interaction with support groups through cooperative and organized activities; and its developed community partnership in improving economic, environmental and human resources. The chapter stressed the development of its members, chapter, and commu-
nity through a wide variety of projects. During the past school year the chapter conducted over 150 activities locally, attended 15 leadership workshops and conventions, participated in over a dozen judging events, and had members compete in contests above the local level. Chapter activities Helping Hands, Make Creston Green, and Christmas holiday activities have been identified as programs assisting in Creston FFA’s success in being recognized as one of Iowa’s top 25 chapters. The chapter’s Helping Hands program provided the opportunity for FFA members to team up with special needs students and assist in their motor and communicative skill development. It’s Christmas holiday activities, including the CHS student body, involved purchasing presents for children, the collection of toys, and canned goods. The canned goods and toys were given to the community pantry for distribution during the holiday season. During the past school year, the chapter conducted a number of safety activities involving hundreds of area youth. Safety programs included its annual Bicycle Safety Program and rodeo where helmets were provided to participating youth. Hunter, Farm, and Halloween Safety program presentations were also presented.
Creston FFA members pictured in front of Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky while attending the 87th National FFA Convention. Members are: (front) Macy Evans, Madison Skarda, Savannah Hartman, Mattie Wheeler, Ashley Harris, and Brooke Thelen; (back row) Will Gordon, Wyatt Thompson, Zach Hoffman, Chad Lamb, Darin Hatfield, Jacob Powers, Nathan Pudenz, and Darrian Fischer .
The chapter also assisted with elementary counselors in conducting a “Red Ribbon Week” Drug Safety Awareness program for the school’s elementary students. Members attending were also involved in several national leadership workshops, which provided opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.
Convention participants also had the opportunity to listen to Nick Vujicic, who spoke first hand of overcoming adversity as we was born without arms nor legs. Members learned from Mr. Vujicic about being a true friend, not merely a friend on the surface and how this friendship is meaningful and has such an impact on others. Vujicic
also stressed the importance of living a good life, doing things for others, and the gift of serving others. Future education and career exploration also was a key component of the convention. Students attending visited hundreds of exhibitors that provided information about educational and career possibilities held at
the concurrent National FFA Alumni Convention and the National Agricultural Career Show. In addition to Convention highlights, members also embarked on a historical tour of the Marengo Caves, a National Historical site, and for fun members tested their driving abilities at the indoor go-kart racing facility.
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Page 12c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Two local royalty to represent the Creston FFA Chapter at the Iowa State Fair Creston FFA members, Madison Travis and Rebecca Watson, are the chapter’s Senior and Junior Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen candidates for 2014. Travis and Watson will represent the Creston FFA Chapter at the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen competition on Friday, August 8th, 6:30 p.m., held in the Jacobson Exhibition Center. The chapter holds and annual cowgirl queen show for interested Creston FFA members. Cowgirl queen contestants are evaluated on their poise and horseman-
ship skills in the arena. Judging includes 50% on beauty, attractiveness and appropriateness of Western attire and 50% on horsemanship of the rider (not the horse). In addition, contestants were evaluated on their ability to demonstrate the “Queen Salute” and perform a riding pattern. Rebecca Watson, daughter of Carl and Donna Watson, was crowned Creston FFA’s Junior Cowgirl Queen and Madison Travis, daughter of Jamie and Megan Travis, was crowned Creston FFA’s Senior Cowgirl Queen.
A little bit of team building for the Creston FFA Officer Team Each year the new Creston FFA Chapter officer team takes some time to get to know each other just a little better and learns how to function as a team. In the summer of 2014, the chapter participated in an officer training at the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center, that
was lead by Rachel Kagay, the Iowa Enrichment Center Leadership Development Coordinator. During the retreat the officer learned about their personality types thorough True Colors activities, worked together using verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and even
Chapter officers Madison Skarda, Macy Evans, Wyatt Thompson, Savannah Hartman, and Chad Lamb work together to draw a picture while their hands are tied together – that is tough team work!
Pictured are Creston FFA’s 2014 Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen candidates, Rebecca Watson (junior candidate, left) and Madison Travis (senior candidate). Travis and Watson will compete on August 8th at the Iowa State Fair for the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen title.
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tested their balance and trust of each other on the board walk challenge! A fun morning led to a fun afternoon in Des Moines. The remainder of the officer retreat was all about having FUN! The chapter officers know they have along year of hard work
and dedication ahead of them, so summer is time to kick back and have fun together. The team had a wet but fun afternoon at Adventureland Amusement Park at Altoona and then took in a movie at the mall. We believe that hard work deserves a reward!
All officers worked together in mastering the board walk activity. The purpose of this activity was to have all officers switch ends of the board without any officers falling off – so challenging and so much fun!
To end the day the officers stopped in for a late night movie. The officers pictured include: Savannah Hartman, Madison Skarda, Macy Evans, Darin Hatfield, Chad Lamb, Darian Fischer, Bryce Briley, Brooke Thelen, and Wyatt Thompson.
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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 13c
Creston FFA keeps busy at the Union County Fair The last week of July is always an exciting and fun time for the Creston FFA Chapter at it is Fair Time! Many the chapter’s members spend hours and hours at the fairgrounds, exhibiting their SAE projects, conducting an agriculture education booth during Kid’s Day, working the food stand, sponsoring agriculture Olympics, helping with the kids pedal pull, and hosting the livestock judging contest. The Union County Fair is an excellent opportunity for chapter members to display the hard work and dedication they have had throughout the year in raising their livestock. Whether it is cattle or chickens, our members put many hours in properly feeding and caring for the livestock. Many of the chapter members have began and or expanded their livestock operations while in FFA. Members participate in beef, swine, sheep, goat, horse, and small animal production. What members acquired through SAE projects equips them with employability and life skills. Our chapter has focused on bringing education and fun to the Union County Fair. We sponsor a booth at Kids Day that is called the “Ag Zone”. At this interactive display we focused on teaching about agriculture products and careers, as well as safety for kids when on
the farm and around equipment. At the 2014 Union County Fair the members conducted demonstrations a gravity flow wagon, showing the children what can happen if you play in the wagon and when grain moves. We have also demonstrated to children the hazard of being in a grain bin and how if trapped in grain it restricts a person’s ability to breathe. We have created a demonstration using a 5 gallon bucket filled with corn and a balloon taped to a straw. Children begin by blowing up a balloon, this is like their lungs filling with air. The participant then tapes a deflate balloon to a straw. The participant buries the balloon that is attached to the straw in the corn, they then try and blow up the balloon. When the balloon is buried in the corn it is very hard to blow it up, this gives them the experience of how a person cannot breathe if trapped in grain. In addition to the “Ag Zone” Creston FFA also sponsors the livestock judging contest for youth and adults. This contest has been a long time tradition for the chapter and is viewed as very important learning tool. The livestock judging contest at the County Fair provides and opportunity for FFA members to teach younger kids, and future members, how to use livestock knowledge and
skill to evaluate animals. In FFA we call contest such as livestock judging a Career Development Event (CDE). As always, the County Fair is a place to have FUN! To help create fun at the County Fair, Creston FFA assists with the Kid’s Pedal pull. At the pedal pull the chapter assists the event coordinator with managing children, passing out ribbons and trophies, and best of all give out candy! New this year was the ag Olympics. The Creston FFA officer team came up with the idea of an afternoon of good old fashioned fun with an ag Olympics. Activities Ag Olymics included: 3 legged race, egg and spoon, a relay through hay bales, a relay dressed in chore clothes, and a farm animal search in a bucket of woodchips and water. Ag Olympics was a lot of fun and will be sponsored again for the upcoming County Fair.
Creston FFA members: Darrian Fischer, Mason Kinsella, and Trevor Marlin spent an afternoon volunteering at the Union County Fair kids pedal tractor pull.
Chapter officers, Macy Evans, and Savannah Hartman test Chapter officers, Macy Evans, and Savannah Hartman test their skill on the Ag Olympics hay bale obstacle course at their skill on the Ag Olympics hay bale obstacle course at the 2014 Union County Fair. the 2014 Union County Fair.
Proud of the Hard Work and Dedication of our Area FFA Youth!
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Page 14c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Dillon Bailey Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: FFA dances and bonfires. Future Plans: Attend Southwestern Community College, major in Agriculture Business and compete on the trap shooting team.
Jake Miller Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: State Conventions Future Plans: Attend NWMSU or UNI major in business finance
Bryce Briley Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: State FFA Convention Future Plans: Undecided on a college but will major in Agriculture.
2015 FFA Senior Salutes Nicole Haley Years in FFA: 2 Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite memory was roller skating and having a pizza party at the school. Future Plans: I will attend Graceland University to play volleyball and major in biology or a health major.
Ashley Harris Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite memory would be State Convention my sophomore year and hanging out with my friends there. Future Plans: Attend Iowa State University and major in culinary science.
Maria Mostek
Jacob Powers
Tayler Pettit
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite FFA memory would have to be State FFA Convention my sophomore year, Conner Pals, Tayler Pettit, and I placed 4th in Agriculture Communications – and State Convention is always fun! Future Plans: I will run track and cross country at Northwest Missouri State University and major in Agriculture Business.
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: Farm Business Management contest Future Plans: Attend Southwestern Community college to major in ag business.
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: State Convention Future Plans: Attend Iowa State University and major in chemical engineering.
Savannah Dawn Ide Hartman Years in FFA: 4 College: Iowa State University (CALS); Food Science Favorite Memory: National FFA Convention 2013, Experiencing FFA on a whole new level, getting to know other Creston FFA members better, meeting FFA members from across the country and hilarious road trips!
Madison Skarda Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite memories in FFA are either attending National FFA Convention or swing dancing. Future Plans: After graduation, I will attend Southwestern Community College and then I plan to continue my education at a university, majoring in elementary education.
Darin Hatfield
Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 15c
Kyle Jennett
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: National FFA Convention trips and chapter bonfires. Future Plans: Attend Southwestern Community College and major in Agriculture Business.
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: Staying up until 4 a.m. at State FFA competition cramming in last minute practices for contests. Future Plans: I will attend Iowa State University and major in Aerospace Engineering.
Brooke Thelen
Tyson Tucker
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite memory was getting ready at Nation FFA Convention at the hotel when the power went out due to a storm. Future Plans: Attend the University of Tennessee at Martin and major in animal science.
Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: Agriculture Issues team contest my freshman year. We won the contest at districts and got a gold rating at state. Future Plans: Attend Southwestern Community College for 2 years and transfer to a 4 year college.
Chad Lamb Years in FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: National FFA Convention trips and chapter bonfires. Future Plans: I plan to farm.
Tyler Waddingham Years n FFA: 4 Favorite FFA Memory: Rolling down the Kentucky interstate and the vehicle breaking down. Future Plans: Undecided on a university, will major in animal science.
Page 16c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Career Development Events – Horse and Livestock Judging Livestock and horse evaluation has been a valued skill of stockman for many years, and so too is it important to FFA members with livestock and equine interests. Each year, Creston FFA members have teams participating in livestock and horse evaluation Career Development Events (CDE) at the local, state, and regional levels. The skills gained from this CDE goes far beyond the placing of animals, the skills young people acquire are evaluation, reasoning, analysis, and finally making a decision which is the animal placing. In addition, members learn to communicate and defend their reason for
placing animals in the contest when presenting faceto- face oral reasons to the judge. Creston FFA had an outstanding year judging both livestock and horses at state and regional contests. In the fall of 2014 Creston FFA members, Kaden Wilson, Macy Evans, and Tyler Waddingham judged livestock at the FFA state livestock CDE at the Hansen Animal Learning Center on the Iowa State University Campus in Ames, Iowa. Our chapter co-hosted a multi-CDE event on the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Osceola, where the horse judging team earned 1st place with Cade Vicker earn-
ing 1st place individual and the livestock judging team placed 4th. At the Northwest Missouri State CDE day, our horse judging team placed 2nd with Taylor Sorrells earning 1st place overall individual. The livestock judging team at Northwest earned top ten finish with Tyler Waddingham earning 1st place in swine evaluation. And to start the 2015 judging year the livestock team consisting of Tyler Waddingham, Gracie Russell, Macy Evans, and Kaden Wilson placed 9th overall out of 31 teams and placed 4th in team reasons at the Iowa Beef Expo.
Northwest Missouri State University CDE – Creston FFA members compete at the Northwest Missouri State University CDE event; team members included: Tyler Waddingham, Kaden Wilson, Chad Lamb, Wyatt Thompson and Darin Hatfield. The horse judging team was: Rebecca Watson, Jordan Moreland, and Taylor Sorrells.
Fun Times and Fundraising Like most FFA chapters across the nation, fall is the time for fruit and cheese sales. Creston FFA officers are responsible for deciding on sale dates, distributors, and set sales goals for the year. In 2014, Creston FFA partnered with Harmison’s Fundraising to sell cookie dough, meats, cheeses, soups, and candies and partnered locally with HyVee as the citrus supplier
and Fareway as our apple supplier. Although fruit sales might not be the favorite activity of FFA members, they understand the importance of the fundraising for our chapter as fruit sales is the chapter’s biggest fundraiser of the year. In 2014, the chapter officers set a goal for members to sell 20 items; members averaged 23 items. Funds raised from the chapter’s
fruit and cheese sales goes towards the operating budget for the year. Expense for the chapter include travel to leadership conferences and conventions, awards, contests, community service activities, and special project conducted throughout the year. The chapter appreciates all the community support and the member’s efforts in our annual fruit and cheese fundraiser.
Creston FFA members are prepared at 8 a.m. for unloading the truck loads of apples, oranges, grapefruit, clementines, pears, peanuts and much more into the shop – it is a busy morning!
Thank you to our Creston FFA Chapter for their involvement in our community Creston Chamber of Commerce 208 W. Taylor, Hwy 34 • Creston • 641-782-7021 www.crestoniowachamber.com chamber@crestoniowachamber.com
Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015 — Page 17c
Keeping the roadways beautiful Fall is the Creston FFA chapter’s annual highway clean up. Creston FFA cleans a stretch of US Highway 25 north of Creston and just south of Orient. When it comes to cleaning the highway, the old saying “Many hands make light work” is the theme that is stressed to the members. A caravan of cars and pickups leave the Creston High School parking lot to make their way north out of Creston to begin the annual trash pick up. While working members get many waves, honks, and thumbs up in approval of the efforts in keeping Iowa beautiful.
It has become an annual tradition to follow the highway clean up with a chili feed at Cedar Park in rural Union County. As usual, while daylight is still available, a chapter football game is played on the lawn that always leads to bragging rights in the chapter of who wins the big game. In cool fall night air a bonfire is started and members huddle round, telling stories of memories for last year and plans for the new year.
Creston FFA members (left to right): Brooke Thelen, Jordan Moreland, Savannah Hartman, Cali Fogelson, and Olivia Hartman scan the ditches of highway 25 in search of trash to pick up. Creston FFA held the annual fall highway clean up in early October.
Following the fall highway clean up, Creston FFA members hold a chili feed and bonfire at Cedar Park in rural Union County.
Creston FFA members huddle around the bonfire following the annual fall highway clean up, many laughs and memories are shared around the bonfire.
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Agriculture Industry Tours
To start the school year, Creston FFA planned a trip to the Farm Progress show through the coordination of SWCC’s Career and Technical assistance program. It was a very wet start to the morning as members loaded the charter busses in pouring rain. Being an optimistic group we started the trip to Boone for the show and then received word the show had been cancelled. What seemed like a disappointing situation turned in to a great opportunity to tour local agricultural industry. A phone call here and a phone call there lead to the tour of Van Wall John Deere Equipment Dealership in Perry, Iowa and a tour of Hawkeye Breeders in Adel, Iowa. Both busi-
nesses were very welcoming of the FFA members and hospitable. While touring Van Wall, members learned of the advancement in technology of tractors, implements, combines, and even repairs. Hawkeye Breeders has been on the brink of the latest technology in the animal science industry for years, as they have been leaders in collecting and freezing cattle genetics since 1969. Members were amazed to learn of the number of units of semen housed at the facility, the number of standing bulls, and the amount of international business that is conducted through Hawkeye Breeders. At both businesses members had their questions of the future of agriculture and career security answered by the leaders of agriculture industry.
Cow Calf Conference – The 2014 Cow Calf Conference was held at the event center in Ottumwa, Iowa. Creston FFA members attending the conference included: Paige Creston FFA members participated in a fall agriculture industry tour in 2014. Parsons, Shannon Bierle, Nicole Haley, Madison Skarda, Kayla Luther, Will Gordon, Chad Lamb, and Dakota Burgmaier. Members walked through the vendor show, where over 100 businesses and organizations had informational booths, as well as sat in on learning session, such as the use of drones on the farm and how corn becomes soda.
Creston FFA members and FFA members from surrounding schools attended a fall agri- Creston FFA members (left to right) Trevor Marlin, Kolby Tomas, Dalten Bierle, Paige culture careers tour in 2014. Picture are members looking at a brand new John Deere Parsons and Mykenna Hribal look into tank filled with liquid nitrogen, the tank holds thousands of straws of bull semen. combine at Van Wall Equipment dealership in Perry, Iowa.
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2014 Homecoming Float A chilly fall afternoon was no match for Creston FFA’s school spirit as we pieced together the FFA homecoming parade float. Each year the chapter asks for members to volunteer time
to piece, paint, and create a homecoming float. The chapter enjoys taking part in a school wide, school pride activity and is an excellent way to get our members involved in the parade. Carl
Watson with AgriVision has volunteered his time and a tractor for the last 3 years to pull the float in the homecoming parade, we are thankful for his donation and support for our chapter.
AgriVision and Carl Watson has been generous in their donation of a tractor and time for pulling the float in the homecoming parade. Isn’t it fitting that the FFA float is pulled by a tractor!
Creston FFA members putting the final touches on the 2014 homecoming parade float.
Helping Hands and Happy Hearts Creston FFA had an ongoing Helping Hands program with Mrs. Simpson students at Creston High School. The spring of 2014 brought an end to the program but we still maintain friendships with the students from Mrs. Simpson’s program. During the time of the program, Creston FFA members coordinated with Mrs. Simpson to plan small activities to conduct with her students. Projects usually were some type of craft and had a theme that went with a holiday or tradition that paired with the month. The relationships developed through Helping Hands were heart warming. Each spring Creston FFA would receive a graduation invitation from the students graduating from Mrs. Simpson’s program. It was always fun to help the graduates cel-
ebrate and we felt honored for a new program to fill the to receive a special invita- void of our missed Helping tion. The chapter is search Hands program.
In early spring, the project for Helping Hands was scrapbooking. Mattie Wheeler is pictured with Lizzy and Christian making their scrapbook pages.
Logan Pettit is pictured with Christian showing off his finished scrapbook page.
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Knoxville FFA hosts South Central District Soils Career Development Event Learning to evaluate soils is just one of the many opportunities available to FFA members. Four Creston FFA members gained valuable experience in developing knowledge in soil evaluation by competing in the South Central District Soils Judging Contest held at Knoxville, where they
received a silver emblem award and placed 12th out of 27 teams. The contest involved FFA members taking a general knowledge test and evaluating four soil pits. The evaluations involved soil conservation practices, determining soil texture and surface features, land
capability classifications, the evaluation of current and future management practices, and the suitability of the various soils present for non agricultural uses. The Creston FFA members competing were: Will Gordon, Darin Hatfield, Ian Burns, and Nathan Pudenz.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education initiative is sponsored by Monsanto, with the purpose to support education in the rural communities throughout the nation. Farmers have the opportunity to nominate the school and organization of their choice to Monsanto, one school is selected from
the nominations from each county. In 2014, Larry Bailey nominated the Creston FFA Chapter to be a recipient of the award. Monsanto donated $2,500 to the Creston FFA Chapter. The chapter used the funds to send members to leadership conferences at the state and
regional levels as well as purchase training materials for leadership and technical skill contest teams. Remaining funds will be applied to the purchase of hydroponics equipment that will be used for Plant Science course work and for student supervised agriculture experience projects.
Creston FFA received the 2014 America’s Farmers Grow Rural Communities sponsored by Monsanto. Pictured are: Cody Downing (Monsanto representative), Madison Skarda, Ashley Harris, Bill Messerole (Creston High School principal), Brooke, Thelen, Lane Miller, Darin Hatfield, and Larry Bailey (farmer who nominated the chapter).
Creston FFA members participating in the 2014 Soils Career Development event are (left to right): Nathan Pudenz, Darin Hatfield, Will Gordon, and Ian Burns. The team earned an silver award and placed 12th at the event.
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YMCA Home and Garden Show Planting a garden can be a fun and rewarding experience for youth and adults alike. Creston FFA hosted a booth at the 2014 Home and Garden Show, that encouraged children to get involved with gardening. At the booth, Creston FFA members taught children how to make seed tape. Seed tape is a method for planting small seeds that are hard to see and hard to handle. The seed tape was made using toilet paper, turnip seeds, and Elmer’s glue. The process included placing dots of glue on the toilet paper, placing the seed on the dot of glue, and folding over the toilet papers. Once dried, the toilet paper can be rolled up and stored until ready for planting. When ready to plant, a furrow is made (the seed row), the seed tape is un-rolled inot the furrow and covered with soil and watered. The toilet paper and Elmer’s glue disintegrate with water and weathering leaving the seed to germinate and grow. Not only is the seed tape a good planting method for children, it is also helpful for those that have troubles handling very small seeds. Creston FFA also assisted at the YMCA Home and Garden show by directing traffic. Members assisted the parking staff in monitoring parking spaces and keeping the flow of traffic running smooth.
Madison Skarda and Jacob Coke are pictured in front of the Creston FFA’s seed tape demonstration at the 2014 YMCA Home and Garden Show.
30th Annual Legislative Symposium & FFA Day at the Capitol Making a difference, students visit with legislators, skills learned in the classroom applied in a world where citizenship is essential. Nearly 350 high school students wearing blue corduroy flooded the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 27. The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship. This was all part of the 30th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol that more than 50 FFA chapters attended. During the morning, FFA members had the opportunity to hear from leaders in the agriculture industry at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill, addressed the students concerning the future of Iowa’s agriculture and the importance of being involved with statewide issues. The FFA members also heard remarks from Libby Crimmings of the World Food Prize on effectively advocating for agricultural education. Following the legislative visits, members congregated at the World Food Prize for tours and to hear remarks
Creston FFA members are pictured with Representative Jack Drake while visiting the capitol at the 30th Annual Legislative Symposium. Pictured are (left to right): Representative Jack Drake, Brooke Thelen, Nicole Haley, Chad Lamb, Darrian Fischer, Madison Skarda, and Kayla Luther.
from Ambassador Kenneth Quinn of the World Food Prize. State FFA President Abrah Meyer read the Governor’s Proclamation identifying February 21-28 as National FFA Week in Iowa. The 30th annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol is made possible with support from the Iowa Farm
Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The Iowa FFA Association has 225 local FFA chapters with more than 14,200 FFA members. FFA is a national organization more than 610,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local,
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Creston FFA attends Agriculture Leadership Meetings Part of being a FFA member is lifelong leadership. In the spring of 2014, two senior FFA members, Lane Miller and Taylor Rice attended the state of Iowa’s Agriculture Leaders Dinner. While at the dinner, chapter members mingled with leaders in the industry, including senators and representatives from Iowa’s legislature and the governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad. At dinner, member sat at tables with various business leaders, including
Pioneer, Monsanto, John Deere, Vermeer, Tyson Foods, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO and Iowa Pork Producers representative. Attending the Iowa Agriculture Leaders Dinner was an outstanding opportunity for Creston FFA members to learn of the issues facing today’s agricultural industry as well as learn of future agricultural career opportunities. Creston FFA was invited to the Union County Farm
Bureau’s annual meeting. Members of the Creston FFA Chapter officer team attended the annual meeting. Many attendees were please to see the members in attendance and happy to see young people pursuing agricultural studies and careers. Members had the opportunity to listen to and meet one of Iowa’s top agricultural celebrities and the evening’s keynote speaker, Mike Pearson of Market to Market.
Farm Bureau annual meeting: Creston FFA member attended Union County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting at 3-Mile Lodge. Members are pictured with the host of IPTV’s Market to Market, Mike Pearson. Members are (left to right): Darin Hatfield, Brooke Thelen, Wyatt Thompson, Macy Evans, Market to Market host, Mike Pearson, Madison Skarda, Darrian Fischer, and Zach Hoffman.
Ag Leaders Dinner photo: Senior members, Lane Miller and Taylor Rice, represented the Creston FFA Chapter at the 2014 Iowa Agriculture Leaders Dinner held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Creston members give tree seedlings to kindergarteners Most people think of trees as having values that can’t be expressed in dollars. They think of cool shade on a hot day, beautiful flowers in the spring, great fall color, or other, less tangible benefits. Some of the benefits of trees can be expressed in dollars, however. According to the American Forestry Association, trees have significant monetary benefits. They have found that a single tree that lives for fifty years can provide $57,151.00 in environmental benefits such as reduced costs in air conditioning, heating, erosion control, and air pollution. This is the lesson the Creston FFA members try to instill in every kindergarten student in the Creston school system when each student is provided a free tree seedling of their own to plant. According to Creston FFA Advisor Kelsey Bailey, “It is neat to get pictures showing large evergreen trees from students who received or planted seedlings from our chapter when they were little and now, as high students, are reaping their environmental benefits.” This past year over 400 White Spruce, Red and White Pines were individually packaged in peat moss
It is hoped these young seedlings impact their enviand distributed to all kindergarten students in the Cres- people will plant, care for ronment as they and the tree ton school system. and watch how these young seedling grows to maturity.
FFA/Faculty Breakfast Served In May 2014, 12 Creston FFA Chapter officers catered a morning breakfast to approximately 30 Creston high school staff. The breakfast was served in the home economics room. Members provided breakfast casseroles and pizza, muffins and breads, fruit, milk, coffee, and juice. Creston FFA celebrates the end of the year with the faculty breakfast to thank the faculty and staff for all they have done throughout the year.
Pictured are St. Malachy kindergarten students receiving a seedling to plant.
Both new and retiring Creston FFA Chapter officers prepare an appreciation breakfast each spring for all faculty and staff at Creston High School.
Creston FFA members Macy Evans, Wyatt Thompson, Tyson Tucker and Darrian Fischer are pictured presenting to St. Malachy kindergarten students about the importance of trees and the trees they will be getting from the Creston FFA Chapter.
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Earning to Live……Living to Serve Service, it is a focus of the Creston FFA Chapter. Often times when people think of FFA they envision the FFA members with their individual supervised agriculture experience (SAE), feeding livestock, showing livestock, harvesting, planting, working at an agriculturally related business – any yes, this is the picture of the individual FFA member. However, as a chapter we strive to serve our community and the people of our community. The FFA motto is: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve. Learning takes place in the classroom (Learning) through instruction and discovery. Doing, doing is what the members go back home and apply from the classroom their own SAE projects. Earning, members earn money or invest their time in activities that are agriculturally related. This earning requires members to take records of their investments and earnings, teaching financial responsibilities and personal management. Finally, Serving. Serving is the opportunity for members to work together or individually to make the world around us a better place to live. The FFA believes if service is a focus at a young age, then that need and desire to help one another will follow the
member throughout adulthood. Creston FFA is a model of excellence for serving the community. There have been many service projects conducted throughout the year by the Creston FFA Chapter. We start the beginning of the year off by cleaning a stretch of Highway 25 between Creston and Orient. What seems like a very long stretch of highway is actually a quick task as our members many hands make for light work. This year, following our clean up, members gathered at Cedar Park for some backyard football, chili feed, and bone fire. In the fall, Creston FFA also helps the CARE organization with Bright Eyes in the Park. A group of members is formed to gather straw bales from the Creston Livestock Auction as well as tables from the Eagles and then delivered to McKinley Park to set up for the event. Following the conclusion of the event, members load all the bales and tables and return them to the respective locations. Although this is only a small part of the Bright Eyes celebration, the chapter feels good about their contribution and is happy to help such a worth cause. The Christmas holiday season brings forth a host of service traditions for the Creston FFA Chapter. We start the season by helping deco-
rate the downtown Depot for the annual lighted Christmas parade. In the school, the chapter challenges their peers to take part in helping the community by collecting food donations, gently used toy donations, and adopting families. Our ‘Santa Can’ project partnered with CHS Student Government this season, both groups were thrilled with the turn out. One thousand three hundred and nineteen non-perishable food items were collected for the Creston food pantry! Our ‘Santa’s Toybox’ provided 153 toys that were delivered to the neighborhood center for holiday giving. And what is most heart warming, they chapter and many of CHS’s student body and organizations adopted 22 families this Christmas. Christmas is also a time
for giving and what better gift is there than food. Creston FFA helps the Creston Christmas Basket Club in the delivery and distribution of food baskets to the needy families in Creston and surrounding areas. The Christmas basket food activity is one of our members favorite activities. As Madison Skarda says “There is just this warm feeling that you get from this project that you don’t get other places.” Living to serve, it is not only said in the Creston FFA Chapter it is practiced. Our members are community minded young people that want Creston to be the Christmas Basket Club 3: Creston FFA members Macy Evans and Ashley Harris work together to find a Christmas best it can be for all of us to Basket to deliver to a needy family in the Creston area. live, work, and raise families. Our members are the leaders of tomorrow, the service they do today will continue on into tomorrow.
Bright Eyes photo: Creston FFA helped C.A.R.E set up for the Brighteyes in the Park Halloween celebration at McKinley Park. Members help set up tables and deliver straw bales. Members pictured include: Darrian Fischer, Christmas Basket Club 2: Mattie Wheeler and Zach Tom Steinbach, Chad Lamb, Jordan Moreland, and Darin Hoffman take a moment to pose for a photo before assisting with the loading of food baskets for needy recipients. Hatfield.
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Decorate the depot 2: Decorating the depot is a favorite activity of the Creston FFA Chapter. Late November the chapter decorates the depot in just before the annual Decorate the depot 1: Creston FFA members (left to right) Gracie Russell, Sydney Creston Lighted Christmas Parade. Decorating the depot is always a fun time for all! Dunphy (behind the tree), Cooper McDermott, and Tayler Pettit work together to assemble one of the many Christmas trees that make up the decorations at the depot.
Santa Can: Creston FFA partnered with Creston High School Student Government to challenge CHS to collect 1,000 non-perishable food items this holiday season. As you can tell, Creston FFA members are thrilled as 1,319 non-perishable food items were Secret Santa: Sophomore, Logan Pettit, and freshman, Alexis Baker, helped load all collected. Pictured are (left to right) Nicole Haley, Savannah Hartman, Cade Vicker, of the presents collected for the 22 families that were adopted through Creston FFA’s Secret Santa program. Madison Skarda, and Zach Hoffman.
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Page 26c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Creston FFA Summer Meeting and Barbeque Summer is a time for rest and relaxation but not for the Creston FFA Chapter. In July the Creston FFA Chapter met for the summer meeting. Items covered at the summer meeting included County Fair activities and member duties as well
as approving the new year’s program of activities. Following the meeting the chapter held a barbeque and bonfire at Cedar Park in Union County. Cedar Park has become a gather place for social activities for the chapter where there has
been many football games and capture the flag games played. Taking time for recreation is important for our chapter, we take time to reward the chapter for all of the hard work that has been put forth throughout the year.
Pedal Pulls -old chapter tradition
Creston FFA holds kid’s pedal tractor pulls at two community events, Balloon Days in September and Creston Elementary’s PTO carnival. This old chapter tradition is a favorite of many children and a favorite of our members too. Creston FFA holds monthly meetings, including meetings in the summer. Chapter officers conduct all meetings as well as prepare the agenda and officer reports for each meeting. Pictured in Creston FFA Chapter’s 2013-2013 president, Lane Miller.
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Purina Partners with Creston FFA for a Poultry Feed Trial
In the spring of 2014, Creston FFA partnered with Farmers Coop and Purina Feeds to conduct a poultry feeding trial. The chapter was responsible for the daily care and record keeping of Seven Creston FFA members were inducted into Creston National Honor Society in the birds. The birds were 2014. Members include: (left to right) Nicole Haley, Brooke Thelen, Ashley Harris, Adam provided by the Coop along Baker, Maria Mostek, Kyle Jennett, Taylor Rice (inducted 2013), Savannah Hartman, Zack with equipment and feed, Peppmeier (inducted 2013), and Jeremy Stoll (inducted 2013). while the chapter supplied the labor, water, and electricity. The trial was conducted over 6 weeks with a final presentation given at SWCC to 4-H and FFA exThe Land O’Lakes Foundation has identified FFA has partnered with Land O’Lakes in 2013 hibitors interested in rais21 regions nationwide to host an Answer Plot and 2014 to implement a community garden. ing meat birds to exhibit Community Garden in 2014. This program, in Produce harvested from the garden is donated at the Union County Fair. partnership with local co-ops, FFA chapters to the Creston Community Center. A wide The project was a great sucand Land O’Lakes own WinField agronomists, variety of produce was planting in the garden, cess and the chapter gained was created as part of an ongoing effort to help including: tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, sweet alleviate hunger in rural communities. potatoes, radishes, sweet corn, eggplant, green The goal of the program is to encourage peppers, and jalapenos. Each year chapter multiple groups in various communities to members learn new planting and management grow, harvest and donate 150,000 servings of techniques to enhance the output of the garfresh product to local food shelves. Creston den.
knowledge and skill from ers Cooperative and Purina the partnership with Farm- Feeds.
Creston FFA Partners with Land O’Lakes for a Community Garden
Creston FFA received the Land O’Lakes Community Garden grant in 2014. Accepting the grant are: Tyler Waddingham, Lane Miller, Brandon Parsons (Winfield Land O’Lakes representative), Byrce Brile and John Gravlin.
Pictured is one of the chicks that were part of a feed trial conducted by Creston FFA in partnership with Farmers Cooperative and Purina Feed. Chicks were weighed every other day, both chick weights and feed consumption were recorded.
Creston FFA member, Mattie Wheeler is pictured transporting a chick from the growing tank to the scale to record weight. Creston FFA partnered with Farmers Cooperative and Purina Feeds to conduct a poultry feed trial during the spring of 2014. Chicks were cared for and managed by the chapter members, records were kept by chapter members, and members presented results of the trial to FFA and 4-H members interested in raising and showing meat birds at the Union County Fair.
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Page 28c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 23, 2015
Creston FFA advances Leadership Contests to state
Saturday, March 8th, 37 Creston FFA members attending the South Central District Leadership Convention in Chariton, Iowa, there the members successfully participated in 11 leadership contests, accepted academic achievement award honors, and represented the chapter in delegate sessions as well as accepted the a Supreme National Chapter award. Leadership contests are an opportunity for members to gain life skills that are applicable to many careers in and out of agriculture industry. Two leadership contests from the Creston FFA Chapter have advances to the state level of competition, the contests and the participants include: Maddie Travis earning gold and advancing to state in Agriculture Broadcasting; Experience the Action team received gold and advance to state, they include Madison Skarda, Nicole Haley, Savannah Hartman, Olivia Hartman, Chad Lamb, Darin Hatfield, and Logan Pettit. The top two participants in each of the leadership contests advance to state, Creston had many gold rated contests and 3rd place finishes. Contest results include: Brooke Thelen, Chapter website (Gold); John Gravlin, Ashley Harris and Ann Waigand, Chapter Program (Gold); Macy Ev-
Thirty-seven Creston FFA members participated in 13 leadership activities at he 2014 South Central District FFA Convention. Members gained knowledge and skill in various real to life events that will prove beneficial to the members as they secure careers in agricultural industry. Members pictured include: (front) Zach Hoffman, Savannah Hartman, Madison Skarda, Darin Hatfield, Trevor Marlin, Macy Evans, Caitlin McIlravy, Mattie Wheeler, Maria Mostek, Taylor Rice, and Morgan Shawler; (middle) Kruz Adamson, Wyatt Thompson, Logan Pettit, Olivia Hoffman, Nicole Haley, Gracie Russell, Becca Ross, Maddie Travis, Ann Waigand, Tyson Tucker, and Tyler Waddingham; (back) Zack Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll, Dillon Bailey, Kyle Jennett, Lane Miller, Chad Lamb, Darrian Fischer, Adam Baker, Jake Miller, Cody Tanner, and Will Gordon. (Not pictures: John Gravlin, Emily Gravlin, Brooke Thelen, Rebecca Watson and Ashley Harris)
ans, Will Gordon, Morgan Shawler, Rebecca Watson, Trevor Marlin, Cody Tanner, and Mattie Wheeler, Conduct of Meetings (3rd Gold – Alternate for State); Emily Gravlin, Maria Mostek, Gracie Russell, Caitlin McIlravy, and Becca Ross, Parliamentary Procedures (3rd Gold – Alternate for State); Adam Baker, Jake Miller, Tyson Tucker, Darrian Fischer, Wyatt Thompson, Kruz Adamson, and Zach Hoffman, Agricultural Issues and Perceptions (Bronze); Kyle Jennett, Jake Miller, Emily Gravlin and Nicole Haley, Chapter Quiz
(Silver); Tyler Waddingham, Agricultural Sales (3rd Gold – Alternate for State); Lane Miller, Prepared Public Speaking (Gold); Taylor Rice, Job Interview (Gold), Secretary’s Book (Bronze); Madison Skarda and Savannah Hartman, Reporter’s Scrapbook (Silver). Four of Creston FFA’s graduating seniors were awarded and recognized for their outstanding academic achievements during their FFA membership. Members receiving the Iowa FFA Academic achievement award include: Adam Baker, Jeremy Stoll, Taylor
Rice, and Zack Peppmeier. Twelve of Creston FFA’s junior and senior members have earned the highest award presented by the Iowa FFA Association, the Iowa FFA Degree. Members must meet scholastic, leadership, and financial requirements to earn such and honor through the FFA Association. The 2014 Iowa FFA Degree recipients include: Chad Lamb, Brooke Thelen, Darin Hatfield, Bryce Briley, Gavin Leith, Tyler Waddingham, Ashley Harris, Kyle Jennett, Madison Skarda, Savannah Hartman, Jake Miller, and Jacob
Powers. Members will receive their degree certificate and gold Iowa FFA Degree medallion at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Convention in April on the campus of Iowa State University. The Creston FFA Chapter continues to be recognized as one of the top 25 chapters in the State of Iowa by earning the Supreme National Chapter Award. The chapter has earned such prestigious recognition due to our continued efforts in building our members, our chapter, and our community. Creston will be recognized at the Iowa FFA State
Leadership Conference in April as well as the National FFA Convention in October 2014, which is held in Louisville, Kentucky. Creston FFA hosted the 2014 West Sub District contest on Tuesday, February 25th. Creston hosted over 200 members, advisors, and guests for the first round of leadership contest competition. Our chapter and the chapters in the west side of the South Central FFA District thank all of the judges and volunteers that donated their time in making the evening a successful event.
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