Local FFA members embody creed, ensure future of agriculture

2 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA

FFA FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS 3 Local FFA members embody creed, ensure future of agriculture FFA Creed I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years. I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny. I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil. I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me. I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task. BY HANNAH SHEELY HANNAH.SHEELY@THESHERIDANPRESS.COM SHERIDAN When Dylan Good watched a girl cry as she brought her FFA show steer into Valley Meat to be slaughtered, he understood how she felt. The reporter for Tongue River FFA had faced the same challenge of getting attached to an animal and knowing its fate. Letting go is one of many hurdles to overcome in agricultural life. Add it to (really) early mornings, bitter cold outings to fix fence and financial woes caused by uncontrollable market prices and it is no surprise that the pursuit of agriculture is diminishing around the nation. However, Good said, the challenges are worth it. That show steer was donated to a homeless shelter, proof that the joys of agricultural life outweigh the discomforts. Agriculture is where everything comes from, Good said. I always come back around and see the need for raising livestock. Good is not alone in his fondness for agriculture. Nearly 175 members of FFA chapters in Clearmont, Dayton and Sheridan feel likewise, contributing to the strength of agricultural education Wyoming has added two FFA chapters while ag programs around the nation are being axed and the future of the industry. Commitment to agricultural life is one element of the FFA Creed, but local FFA chapter advisors agree their students embody the whole creed, making the future of agriculture even more promising. The majority of people in agriculture are older, so I think a big thing with the FFA program is it encourages younger generations to pursue agriculture degrees and participate in agriculture, John B. Kendrick FFA President FILE PHOTO Paden Koltiska wipes down the head of his cow at the 2016 Sheridan County Fair at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. Paden Koltiska said. The Sheridan chapter launched approximately 95 years ago, and the school will celebrate 100 years of agriculture education in the 2017-2018 school year. Even with such a long history, chapter advisor Ward Cotton worries about the effect of state budget cuts on the program. Encouraging young people to pursue agriculture means having agricultural education to offer in the first place, Cotton said. SEE FUTURE, PAGE 4

4 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA FUTURE : Gain leadership, responsibility through local, national projects FROM 3 Koltiska said their chapter also strives to knock down stereotypes and build awareness of the importance of agriculture. First, agriculture classes are not just for farmers and ranchers, Koltiska said. A career in agriculture includes welding and mechanics, animal science, environmental science and natural resources, agricultural business, agricultural engineering and more. Second, FFA members strive to educate about where food, clothing, furniture and more come from the production chain behind the supermarket and clothing store. This is done through programs in elementary schools, public outreach, and county and state fairs. Like so many other industries, the future of agriculture is also tied to embracing technology and encouraging the endeavors of progressive agriculturalists. For example, Cotton likes to tout one of his own students who uses drones to watch his band of sheep. It doesn t replace getting into the field, but it is an innovative way to simplify his job. After John B. Kendrick FFA Secretary Haley Timm fell in love with a club calf she raised to show for FFA, she used genetics to successfully produce a small herd of 12 more. She has also used technology to synchronize her herd to calve within one 24-hour span, eliminating the need for weeks of middle-of-the-night calving runs and ensuring speedier transport of calves to a protected area. Cotton and Clearmont advisor Lynne Latham said a majority of their students do Find us online at www.thesheridanpress.com. pursue agriculture as a primary or secondary career, but regardless of career paths, the program s emphasis on leadership is invaluable. I ve definitely gained a lot of leadership experience as an officer, and that ability to be a role model to younger members is a good way I ve definitely gained a lot of leadership experience as an officer, and that ability to be a role model to younger members is a good way of becoming a better individual. There s always room for leadership no matter what career you have. Paden Koltiska John B. Kendrick FFA President of becoming a better individual, Koltiska said. There s always room for leadership no matter what career you have. Clearmont FFA Reporter Derek Buhr noted public speaking as a key skill. Before FFA, I wasn t very good at speaking, but a couple weeks ago I participated in Poetry Out Loud and I won the school competition, he said. FFA also places emphasis on charity and patriotism. Clearmont FFA members lead the Pledge of Allegiance each morning at school and raise funds for an annual donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. The Sheridan chapter conducts food drives, does road clean-up, serves dinners around the community and helps with slack during the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. All the chapters participate in the Ag Expo and do education programs in elementary schools. Ultimately, whether through raising and showing animals, public speaking, charity events or simply learning to stick with it through the hard times, FFA members learn to live out their creed and contribute to their community. We expect responsibility, Cotton said. These young people have taken responsibility for something beyond themselves and in that way taken responsibility for themselves. FILE PHOTO THE SHERIDAN PRESS Ward Cotton, judge for the 2016 Sheridan County Fair Cat Show, asks Brayton Ankney,12, questions about cat Otis, 3, during judging.

FFA FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS 5 John B. Kendrick chapter to mark FFA Week Number of activities planned to celebrate BY LENNON DREGOIW JOHN B. KENDRICK FFA CHAPTER SHERIDAN Each year more than half a million FFA members nationwide celebrate the country s largest youth organization during National FFA Week. National FFA week takes place Feb. 20-27 this year. The focus of National FFA week is to tell the community and the country about the positive impact the opportunities FFA has on the members of the national organization. Impact is this year s theme as members pledge to show what makes them premier leaders in their schools and communities. It is important to show the impact FFA members have on each other, the community, country and the world. But in order to have the positive impact, participants must first get the word out to make people aware of these beneficial opportunities. The Sheridan John B. Kendrick chapter consists of 210 local members that are in grades seven through 12. The officer team has organized a wide variety of activities to honor FFA during the week. Members of the officer team will present on the Public Pulse radio show. Members of the chapter will also decorate windows of local shops in downtown Sheridan. On the morning of Feb. 22 there will be a teacher breakfast that is prepared by the John B. Kendrick FFA members and served to staff members. On this day, members will wear their official dress to school. The FFA members will be in official dress consisting of the famous blue corduroy jacket with the FFA emblem on the back. The members of the past, present and future may outgrow COURTESY PHOTO From left, Paden Koltiksa, Anna Miech, Haley Timm and Bell Ward work a table at the Christmas Stroll. the jacket, but they will never outgrow the experience. On the other hand, supervised agriculture experiences, otherwise known as SAEs, provide a lot of opportunities for the students. SAEs help with leadership skills through learning and then teaching new, inexperienced members the skills that were learned previously. SEE WEEK, PAGE 6

6 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA WEEK : Beneficial organization FFA organization FROM 5 The new members that develop these skills then are known as leaders and pass the quality on to the future members. Being a leader is known to be one of the most common traits looked for in a career and having the leadership skills, will lead to career success. Not only will leadership lead to career success, but the experience the SAEs provide does too. A popular example of an SAE would be raising and selling a livestock animal. Through the experience, a lot is learned from trial and error as well as the hands on experience that all FFA members experience. Aside from the opportunities SAEs provide, there are other opportunities available such as a national leadership conferences, the chance to start a business, and apply for awards and scholarships that will help in the future. Community service is an opportunity that will help the community and the people who live in it. The Sheridan John B. Kendrick FFA conducts two highway cleanups a year: one in the fall and one in the spring along with various other community services. The importance of FFA is apparent not only to members, but also to agricultural education teachers, school administration, parents and community members. With regard to support of the John B. Kendrick Chapter local, FFA advisor Ward Cotton said, We are very fortunate in Sheridan to have strong community backing along with administration and parental support. Our students strive to do the best they can, in activities, academics and leadership and I think that is a direct result of our school pride. Through the pride the school board sees it is apparent that FFA is a beneficial organization for those who participate in it. The administration and school board are very supportive, cooperative and helpful to us in conducting our activities, advisor Clay Christensen said. We appreciate what they have done for our program. Without the community and parent support, it wouldn t have been such a successful year. has long, proud history Group began in 1928, reflects broadening field with 300 careers FROM STAFF REPORTS SHERIDAN The National FFA Organization traces its history back to 1928, when it was formed in Kansas City, Missouri, as the Future Farmers of America. Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. Originally focused on production agriculture, the organization in 1988 changed its name to the National FFA Organization to reflect the broadening field of agriculture which, today, encompasses more than 300 careers ranging from agriscience and biotechnology to turf grass management. FFA was federally chartered by Congress in 1950, which made it an integral part of public agriculture instruction under the National Vocational Education Acts. According to its website, two of FFA s top three executives are employed by the U.S. Department of Education. FFA is organized on local, state and national levels. Student members belong to chapters in their local high schools, and agricultural education instructors serve as chapter advisers. In Sheridan County, chapters are organized at Sheridan, Tongue River and Arvada-Clearmont High Schools. Individual high school chapters, in turn, belong to state associations headed by an adviser and executive secretary, which are chartered by the National FFA Organization. The Wyoming FFA includes 47 high school chapters. Nationally, FFA boasts more than 500,000 members. FFA programs and activities help members develop public speaking skills, conduct and participate in meetings, manage financial matters, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and assume civic responsibility, according to the national website, which adds: The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The FFA motto provides its members with 12 words to guide their lives: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

FFA FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS 7 Clear Creek FFA recaps year to date, looks ahead FROM CLEAR CREEK FFA CLEARMONT The Clear Creek FFA kicked off the 2016 school year with the annual back to school picnic where the group welcomed eight new members to the chapter. The chapter also adopted the theme Strive to Thrive as this year s motto. Each year the chapter votes on a phrase that reinforces goals set by chapter members. The theme is used daily as chapter members lead the whole school in the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. September involved several chapter members working the Ag Expo in conjunction with the Sheridan County Cowbelles as well as numerous other agriculture organizations within the county. The Ag Expo is always an enriching activity, all fourth-grade students in the county attend the event. The young students are exposed to several different aspects of agriculture, and FFA members have the unique opportunity to educate the younger students. It is always interesting to see the growth of each group as they interact. October found the Clear Creek FFA Livestock Judging teams on the road participating in contests. The first event was at Casper College. Later the teams participated in the NILE Livestock evaluation contest in Billings, Montana. The Senior Team consisting of Galen Kretschman, Derick Buhr, Shaylee Adamson and Taziree Smith earned a fifthplace finish. Junior team member Ashlynn Fennema received recognition for being the fourth high individual in the contest. The Senior Team later traveled to Laramie to participate in the Cowboy Classic at the University of Wyoming. Sticking to tradition, the Clear Creek FFA chapter organized the annual Halloween Carnival in Clearmont. Community members were entertained with a fun-filled evening of fun and games as well as a chili/cinnamon roll dinner. Numerous little cowboys and princesses were awarded at the costume contest. Freshman and sophomore members attended the FIRE (Finding Inspiration and Reaching for Excellence) Conference in Green River, on Nov. 11-12. The Clear Creek FFA chapter, back row from left, Derick Buhr, Galen Kretschman,John Malli, Tanner Klatt, Clancy Kretschman and Anthony Graves. Pictured second to back row from left, Jason Pehringer, Riley Malli, Ben Briscoe, Cameron Weigle, McKenna Auzqui, Colin Malli and Terissa McClure. Pictured third row from back, from left, Parker Manor, Kristin Klaassen, Shaylee Adamson, Taziree Smith and Chris Pierson. Pictured in the front are, from left, Kylar Klaahsen, Ashlynn Fennema and Tristin Hall. SEE CLEAR CREAK, PAGE 9

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CLEAR CREEK : Compete FROM 7 FFA FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS 9 This conference allows students to network with other FFA member from around the state as well as receive valuable leadership training. To celebrate the last day school prior to Christmas break, the Clear Creek FFA organized the Reindeer Games. This event brings all junior and senior high students together to compete as teams in fun holiday games. It is a great way to celebrated the holidays and develop team work amongst the students. National FFA Week will be celebrated with the Chapter Creed Contest and Greenhand Ceremonies on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Clearmont multi-purpose room. Classroom-made raised doughnuts will be served as refreshments, keeping with tradition. Members will also be presenting an educational program to all Arvada-Clearmont Elementary students on Wednesday. The Clear Creek Chapter is currently preparing to compete in state career development events, which will be held at State FFA Convention in April. Senior member Cameron Weigle will be receiving his State FFA degree at convention. The chapter has been under the leadership of the following chapter officers: President Galen Kretschman Vice President Kylar Klaahsen Secretary Shaylee Adamson Treasurer Cameron Weigle Reporter Derick Buhr Sentinel Kristin Klaahsen COURTESY PHOTO Clear Creek FFA chapter member Tommy Nimick speaks to students at the Ag Expo at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds in 2016.

10 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA Tongue River Valley FFA participates in fundraising, training FROM DYLAN GOOD TONGUE RIVER VALLEY FFA This year, the Tongue River Valley FFA chapter has a total of 23 members. The FFA chapter is competing in the following career development events: meats, livestock, horse and parliamentary procedure. Teams in each category will compete during the state FFA contest in Cheyenne in April. Each FFA member is required to go to his or her respective CDE practice on the designated day when they spend at least an hour working on the CDE events for the state competition. The group also has three students competing in two leadership development events, two competing in creed speaking and one competing in job interview. The Tongue River chapter is comprised of a variety of all high school grades. During the fall, the chapter teamed with the Cattle Women s Association to help put on the agriculture expo, at which FFA members from the county teach fourth-grade students from the county about varying aspects of agriculture. Shortly after, the Tongue River FFA began its annual fruit sales, for which each member was asked to sell at least 15 boxes of fruit. If freshmen sold 15 boxes of fruit, the chapter would pay for their FFA jacket. We also sold meat products for the first time this year. Our FFA members decided to purchase a vending machine for fundraising purposes. The chapter demonstrated good financial management skills by purchasing a used vending machine instead of purchasing a new one at 10 times the cost. On Jan. 30-31, a select group of members went to Rapid City, South Dakota, for the Black Hills Stock Show. The trip was two days long and was a good experience. Members saw the hard work people put into their livestock to make profit. This trip rewards members who are dedicated to all chapter activities and responsibilities. Tongue River Valley FFA members, from back, are Austin Miller, Theron Kalasinsky, Dylan Good, Saddie Koltiska, Anya Butler, Kayce Pierce, Sidney Butler, Courtney Good and Emma Balstad. COURTESY PHOTO

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Demonstrating at the Ag Expo 12 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA Saddie Koltiska demonstrates an activity to fourth-graders at the 2016 Ag Expo at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. Local FFA chapters participate in the program each year to help show youth in the community what agriculture is all about. COURTESY PHOTO Proud to be a Supporter of Sheridan County FFA! FFA at a glance 307-672-6356 12 Big Horn Meadows Drive Sheridan, WY ssrconstruction@vcn.com FROM FFA.ORG Science, business, technology The National FFA Organization has evolved in response to expanded opportunities available in the industry of agriculture. Today s FFA helps members prepare for careers in agribusiness, agrimarketing, science, communications, education, horticulture, production, natural resources, forestry and many other diverse fields. Career preparation The agricultural education program provides a well-rounded, practical approach to learning through three components: Classroom education, hands-on supervised agricultural experiences and FFA, which provides leadership opportunities and tests students agricultural skills. Student leadership FFA members elect their own officers and plan and conduct activities with supervision from their chapter advisors. A team of six national officers, typically college students taking a year away from their studies, plays a key role in planning the annual National FFA Convention & Expo and other events. The National FFA Officer Team travels 100,000 miles during its year in office. Programs and activities Local, state and national FFA programs and activities help members develop public speaking skills, conduct and participate in meetings, manage financial matters, strengthen problem-solving abilities and assume civic responsibilities. National FFA Convention & Expo The National FFA Convention & Expo is the organization s premier gathering during which all FFA competitive events and programs are recognized nationally. The event brings FFA members together to learn, be inspired and celebrate accomplishments.

FFA FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS 13 Getting to know agriculture Coffeen Elementary fourth-grader Lil Kerns reaches through the fence to pet a draft horse during the Sheridan County Cattlewomen s Ag Expo last year at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. Fourth-grade students from all over the county were invited to the educational event to learn about agriculture and to get exposure to farm animals. Members of the FFA from local high schools participated in guiding the students to the various activities. Local farmers and ranchers brought livestock to show at the annual event. FILE PHOTO THE SHERIDAN PRESS

FFA offers diverse student body opportunities 14 FEBRUARY 18, 2017 THE SHERIDAN PRESS FFA FROM FFA.ORG FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA membership today is comprised of 649,355 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FFA operates on local, state and national levels. Student members belong to chapters organized at the local school level. Agriculture educators serve as chapter advisors. Chapters are organized under state associations headed by an advisor and executive secretary, often employees of the state department of education. States conduct programs and host annual conventions. The National FFA Organization is governed by a board of directors, charters state associations and provides direction, program materials and support for local chapters and state FFA associations. FFA was organized nationally in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1950, Congress granted FFA a federal charter, making it an integral part of public agricultural instruction under the National Vocational Education Act. FFA receives no federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. COURTESY GRAPHIC FFA.ORG

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