Club Spotlight: FFA

FFA Makes A Splash Into Spring FFA Makes A Splash Into Spring

— Ariana González, General Reporter

Agriculture plays a huge role in North Dakota’s “While attendance has been lower, our consistent members culture, as well as North Dakota’s economy. As stated by continue to show up, and are doing a great job of encouraging Commissioner Doug Goehring, “North Dakota’s 30,000 new members to join,” Wanner said. “As the state is opening farmers and ranchers are among the very best in the world.” up more, there are more and more opportunities becoming FFA is an intra-curricular organization that focuses available and returning to the calendar.” on growing students into leaders. It provides hands on There are many aspects to their contests and events that experience and a perfect opportunity to gain skills for the have changed, and students have had to learn new techniques future. This is the case for junior Ashton Boehm, who is a to adjust to these changes. member of FFA. Like many other students, growing up in “Agricultural sales contestants usually shake hands with this environment peaked her interest in FFA and agriculture. their judges, and in the past have provided business cards,” “My family had been in FFA, so it was kind of a family Wanner said. thing,” Boehm said. “I also grew up on a farm and ranch, so FFA instructor Leah Kessler, and her students recently I was very into the agriculture type things and leadership.” incubated and cared for baby ducks. At the moment, FFA is working on a couple of projects, “In class during this time, we were covering wildlife including some career development events. and environmental topics such as wetlands conservation, “In FFA, we are currently working on our CDE’s,” Boehm waterfowl identification, and waterfowl care,” Kessler said. Agriculture plays a huge role in North Dakota’s culture, as well as North Dakota’s economy. As stated by Commissioner Doug Goehring, “North Dakota’s 30,000 farmers and ranchers are among the very best in the world.” After all, North Dakota takes first place in the production of durum wheat, dry edible peas, spring wheat, honey, flaxseed and canola. In 2018 alone, North Dakota earned around $7.7 billion for its agriculture. Not only that, 39.1 million acres of land, which is 90% of North Dakota’s land area, consists of farms and ranches. said. “We have agronomy, egg sales and livestock judging, which are some career development events.” FFA teaches students important life skills by applying them to real world settings dealing with agriculture and its elements. “I want to be a much better leader,” Boehm said. “I also want to grow and improve my career skills.” FFA advisor Tanasha Wanner is one of the three instructors who are in charge of FFA. They take care of managing and “This gave students hands on application of the topics being learned, as well as experience in the responsibilities of caring for animals.” For students who might be interested in joining, one is encouraged to go to an FFA meeting. The Mandan FFA chapter takes pride in being run by its members, and the advisors are there to serve as aids in developing the chapter in the direction the members would like it to go. FFA is a supervising the members of FFA. “I teach AgriScience Technology I at the High School, and Introduction to High School-Exploring Ag. at the Middle School,” Wanner said. FFA focuses on encouraging students to develop and improve their leadership skills. The primary areas of focus include premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. “There are contests related to leadership development, as well as contests devoted to expanding your knowledge in the area of a particular career,” Wanner said. All students who are in an agriculture class have the opportunity to join FFA. “Any student enrolled in agricultural education is considered an FFA member,” Wanner said. “Each student has the opportunity to be involved at any level, without having to pay the dues associated with joining.” Unfortunately, like most organizations, FFA has Photo by Ariana González been negatively impacted by COVID-19 too. Sophomore Alexis Ritzmann holding a duck. The ducks pictured are one of several animals that FFA has taken care of.