NATIONAL FFA WEEK
•
FEBRUARY 15-22, 2014
CONCORDIAN THE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014 — 16 PAGES
Giving back
PAGE 2 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The images of one donating blood don’t typically coincide with thoughts of agriculture, but they do share one important idea — providing for the community. This time last year, students and adults filed into Concordia High School’s Agriculture Building, anticipating their turns to donate while others collected snacks to regain strength. The blood drive is one of the community outreach projects Concordia FFA members hold each year as they challenge themselves and the public to be of service to others. “We have to have certain activities that reach out to the community and fit a need in the community,” Concordia FFA President Nora Faris said in February 2013. “It fits in with our goals.” According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, including many of the 1 million people diagnosed with cancer each year. Community Blood Center serves approximately 70 hospitals throughout Missouri and Kansas, including I-70 Community Hospital in Sweet Springs, Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Lafayette Regional Health Center in Lexington and Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg. The donation drive is just one of many activities planned for this year’s FFA Week, in which members not only promote the organization but use it as a time to give back. “We do a lot of organization work in advance, but February especially is a busy month at Concordia High School,” Faris said. This year’s blood drive is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today, in the school’s Agriculture Building.
Points in time
A chronological history of FFA By Nathan Janik CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
The FFA originated in 1917 under the Smith-Hughes National Vocation Act. But it did not start out as the FFA; it was originally a vocational class. It wasn’t until the 1920s that they called it the Future Farmers Club. Then in 1928, the first dues were paid to the National FFA. In 1952, the first FFA magazine was created, known as New Horizons. In 1998, the first ever national headquarters was built in Alexandria, Va. In 2007, the National FFA merchandise center was formed just a few blocks south of the headquarters. The FFA has progressed greatly over the years. Every year new changes are happening, and more and more members are joining. FFA is a great experience to be a part of; it can challenge you to new things and prepare you for your future.
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By Brenten Runyon CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER The FFA has an important history that impacts us today. One important event is, in 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. Doing this established agriculture classes. The next event was in 1930 when E.M. Tiffany wrote the FFA’s official creed. All FFA members/ students must recite this five-paragraph creed. For a long time people didn’t allow girls into agriculture classes. They believed it was a man’s job; although, in 1969 girls were admit-
ted into the FFA. In 1965 NFA merged with FFA. NFA stood for New Farmers of America; this was what African Americans went to instead of FFA. The year of 1988 the name was changed to National FFA Organization. The name of the magazine was National Future Farmers Magazine, but this also was changed in 1989 to New Horizons. The FFA went from just developing classes to having a national FFA center in Indianapolis, Ind.
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Concordia FFA Officers
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 3
Nora Faris, president
Rachael Rodenberg, vice president
Hanna Janik, secretary
Martha Cowherd, treasurer
Kailey Bales, sentinel
Kendra Ratliff, reporter
of kids wearing bright neon shirts. What is so unique about these kids? They’re a part of the Concordia FFA chapter. As a member of FFA, these students don’t just learn about agriculture, but a whole array of life-skills — money management, starting a business and more
— all while having fun. There are a lot of parties, dances, activities, trips, conferences and food. But that’s just getting started.
If FFA doesn’t sound inviting enough let me tell you about scholarships. It’s easy to get one — thousands of dollars right to
you, all by filling out an application. Many people think FFA’s for farmers, but in reality, a majority of the
people enjoying the benefits of FFA don’t live on a farm. So, if you’re looking for a way to brighten your future, FFA is the thing for you!
Why join Concordia FFA?
By Grace Stumbagh CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
If one from another state outside of Missouri were to come and visit Concordia, they would be exposed to farmland as far as the eye could see, tractors rolling the city streets, and possibly a whole bunch
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Concordia FFA Members Attend National FFA Convention PAGE 4 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Above: Members of the Concordia FFA Chapter who attended the National FFA Convention & Expo were, from left to right: Hanna Janik, Kailey Bales, Nora Faris, Brooke Kilgore, Spencer Brown, Martha Cowherd, Sabrina Limback and Laura Edwards.
Above: Members of the Concordia FFA chapter traveled to Louisville, Ky., for the annual National FFA Convention & Expo. During the trip, these students were able to enjoy a dinner theater in Louisville, as well as several agri-tours, including Huber Orchards and Vineyard and the Churchill Downs. Pictured are Brook Kilgore, Laura Edwards, Spencer Brown, Sabrina Limback, Nora Faris and Hanna Janik.
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By Nora Faris CONCORDIA FFA PRESIDENT Members of the Concordia FFA chapter joined more than 50,000 students nationwide in traveling to Louisville, Ky., for the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo. The theme of the annual convention was “Ignite,” inspiring members to pursue their individual passions for agriculture and attain leadership and success in the organization. During the first day of the convention, members heard from the National FFA officer team, National FFA Advisor Steve Brown, and Rick Pitino, the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals college basketball team and keynote speaker. The students then attended leadership seminars and the National FFA Expo, where representatives from colleges and key agricultural organizations and businesses provided career information to members. During the trip, members were also able to experience
several iconic Louisville attractions. A trip to the Churchill Downs gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the famous horse racing complex; following a tour of the grounds, students watched a series of horse races from the grandstand. The Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory was another highlight; students took an assembly line tour, following the production of a baseball bat from the lumber pile to the batting cage. The Huber Family Farm and Winery welcomed students to their multiple-generation agricultural operation;
students witnessed the processes of making wine and brandy, growing grapes and producing apples. The Concordia FFA chapter was commended as a 3-Star National Chapter at the convention, an honor bestowed upon a select few chapters nationwide which exhibit exemplary student activities and community involvement. Concordia FFA members who attended the convention were Kailey Bales, Spencer Brown, Martha Cowherd, Laura Edwards, Nora Faris, Hanna Janik, Brooke Kilgore and Sabrina Limback.
Concordia FFA Chapter receives prestigious national award By Nora Faris CONCORDIA FFA PRESIDENT
The National Chapter Activity Award program, sponsored by John DeereTM, recognizes outstanding FFA chapters across the country that demonstrate a program of activities which enhances the development of students, the chapter and the community. This year, the Concordia FFA chapter was recognized at the Missouri FFA State Convention, with President Nora Faris accepting the award plaque on behalf of the chapter. The chapter’s award application was then forwarded to the national to be screened and evaluated. The Concordia FFA chapter was acknowledged as being in the top tier of FFA chapters nationally and was designated as a “threestar” chapter, the highest National Chapter Award distinction. The Concordia FFA chapter attributes its success in the awards program to support from community members, student involvement and a tradition of excellence, which it plans to continue for years to come.
Why join FFA?
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 5
By Taylor Lutjen CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
Why should you join FFA? A better question is why wouldn’t you? To me people who are in FFA get to experience the joy of a big “family” who share the same interest, which would be agriculture. But it’s not just the same interest that makes us a “family,” some of us already have a bond. FFA is just another thing that makes our bond stronger. Even though sometimes we fight like cats and dogs, that’s a part of a bonding “family.” Another reason to join FFA would be because you get to do a lot of extra activities. For example, for our FFA Week Monday we went to a Maverick’s hockey game. For high school students it could keep you busy, and you will have fun while doing it, as long as you are at least interested in Ag and will actually show up for Concordia FFA participates in school and community recycling activities. activities. Here, Kailey Bales, Nate Janik and Dustin Neal, along with other FFA members,
collect recyclable materials from school classrooms.
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The Supervised Agriculture Experience
PAGE 6 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Dustin Neal, a junior member of the Concordia FFA chapter, raises goats and cattle for his Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Dustin is responsible for the care and maintenance of his goatherd, which includes daily chores, such as feeding.
By Tate Bittiker CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
The SAE, or Supervised Agriculture Experience, is an important part of agriculture education. Every agriculture program has an SAE, and it is a required curriculum. They are a great way to make money, learn how to run a business and become experienced in the working world. SAEs are important projects in agriculture. SAEs are basically a miniature business of your own job. There are eight types of SAE areas: ownership production, own-
By Rachael Rodenberg CONCORDIA FFA VICE PRESIDENT
Joining the FFA is one of the best things you can do in your high school career. The FFA offers so many opportunities that no other organization can offer. In FFA you have the opportunity to meet new people and learn a lot of valuable skills you will use for a lifetime. You can be on a contest team that expands your knowledge on the topic you choose. The FFA offers scholarships to seniors to help them move forward after high school and gain knowledge. Throughout the FFA you learn new things, meet new people and ultimately gain skills that will last a lifetime.
Hunter Bredehoeft, a sophomore member of the Concordia FFA chapter, conducts a Supervised Agricultural Experience program in poultry production.
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ership agribusiness, ownership custom, placement production, placement agribusiness and placement laboratory. “Ownership” means you own it, and “placement” means you work for someone. By doing an SAE you learn important information about the working world. If you get into a good SAE you might even make a profit out of it. Having a good SAE, you also can earn awards in the FFA. An SAE is the key in your agriculture experience and is also a good experience for you to have in the future.
Experience (continued)
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 7
Martha Cowherd, a junior member of the Concordia FFA chapter, shows her shorthorn steer at the District Fair. Caring for her show
Rachael Rodenberg, a sophomore member of the Concordia FFA chapter, raises and sells show
goats. Here, she is shown exhibiting one of her goats at the Missouri State Fair.
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PAGE 8 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Students cut loose at annual Barnwarming dance
Concordia FFA members participate in the Barnwarming dance Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Students enjoyed music, dancing, games, and snacks. The chapter also conducted a food drive at the annual event to benefit the Sweet Springs Food Pantry.
Fun at 2013 Barnwarming! By Jessica Hemme CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
This year the Concordia FFA went out with our boots on! We had our annual Barnwarming. The theme was “Going Out with our Boots On.” We had all types of food and drinks there. The cookie dip and puppy chow was everyone’s favorite. We were dancing our booties off for a good cause. We had to either bring $2 or two canned goods to help the Sweet Springs Food
Pantry. The Concordia FFA got to dance the night away from 8 to 11 p.m. We enjoyed voting for our king and queen. The members of the Concordia FFA voted Nora Faris as our queen and Cody
Langkraehr as our king. Everyone should join the excitement next year and have just as much fun, if not more, as we did singing and dancing with all of our friends! We hope to see you next year!
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FFA members enjoy some friendly competition at the annual Barnwarming dance, participating in games to compete for FFA-themed prizes.
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Missouri conservation
Don’t judge a book by its cover
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 9
By Derrick Lindstrom CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
By Cameron Cooper CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
This year started, I got my schedule and saw I had an agriculture class. I wasn’t very excited at first. I thought, “Oh pigs and cow’s big deal, and who cares.” Plus I didn’t want to live on a farm! I just figured that I’d get in, pass and forget it all. Since school started though, I started to become more and more excited that I had it on my schedule. In the beginning of the year, I learned a bunch of interesting facts, like agriculture in the U.S. provides 20 percent of all jobs and employs 22 million people. I also learned agriculture isn’t just tips for when you’re living on a farm; it’s the use, conservation, and maintenance of environmental and recreational resources. This was a class that I wouldn’t have taken on my own, but I am glad that I have it now!
From the Missouri State Fair to farm shows and natural resource conventions, hunting and conservation are a part of the Missourian’s life. The conservationists of Missouri make a huge difference in all kinds of things most citizens take for granted. For example, there are many people in the state who enjoy hunting, and conservation efforts affect these individuals greatly. Any hunter should know that each year, when they telecheck any harvested animal, their information is recorded on paper and entered into computer systems. From this stage, that recorded information is used to set the lengths of the next year’s season, the bag limits, and other factors. Conservationists try to keep these recorded numbers accurate by stopping poachers and making sure hunters have the proper licenses and tags. Their job is important to keep Missouri’s ecosystems healthy and balanced. Conservation in Missouri doesn’t just stop with hunting. Conservation departments also manage the state’s soil, lakes, waterways, grasslands, forests and state parks.
Many FFA members, such as myself, have a direct impact on Missouri conservation through our Supervised Agricultural Experience programs. I have an entrepreneurship SAE focused on forestry management, in which I help my customers manage and conserve their timber. Some customers prefer to have noxious trees removed from their property, while others want lanes cleared in their forests for hunting or driving. The purpose of Missouri conservation is to improve and develop the state’s natural resources and preserve our public and private lands. Every Missourian, whether a hunter or a landowner, shares a role in conservation.
Why is agriculture important?
By Heather Cool CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
Not only is agriculture important to all communities, agriculture is important to the whole world. Agriculture is the largest industry in the U.S. It provides 20 percent of all jobs. Those jobs go from a food scientist to just a regular hog farmer. Agriculture provides food, clothing, shelter, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Agriculture in the United States is so successful because of fertile soil, lots of land, climate, landscape, new technology, new inventors, and great transportation and marketing system. Without agriculture, crops and meat would not be as great as they are today. The study of plants,
which would be studied by plant scientists, is a very important job. It helps reproduce and rejuvenate plants that might be weak or needing some assistance. Agriculture in the
United States has helped increase technology. This technology has helped farmers succeed. With success, agriculture in the United States has continued to grow and is very important.
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PAGE 10 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Why you should join FFA
By Kendra Ratliff CONCORDIA FFA REPORTER Who has ever thought about joining the FFA? To join FFA you do not have to live on a farm or even be a farmer. You can live in town and even join FFA. To join FFA means to learn about the organization Future Farmers of America. In FFA you get to learn about how the organization is developed, animals, entomology, food science, plants, construction, welding and many more agriculture classes. Just because you live in town or even in a big city doesn’t mean you can’t join the FFA. Any type of individual can be involved and can grow their knowledge of FFA’s history. If FFA is something you want to be a part of, join! You will be able to learn what FFA has to interest you!
Members of the Concordia FFA chapter and the Missouri FFA Association state officer team participated in The Food Dialogues, a forum on responsible livestock care and modern biotechnology in food production. The Food Dialogues, sponsored by Missouri Farmers Care and the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, was held Sept. 19, 2013, at the Reynolds Journalism Institute on the
FFA fruit, meat and cookie dough sales By Jon Need CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
The annual FFA fruit and meat sale is the Concordia FFA chapter’s largest fundraising activity. During the last week of September to about midOctober, chapter members sell Seitz Fundraising products, including gourmet meat, fruit and cookie dough. During this time, the chapter sets a goal to reach, which is normally higher than the previous year’s. Most members sell about $300 worth of fundraising products, of which the chapter receives 40 percent. The member who sells the most during fundraising
sales wins a free trip to the National FFA Convention, which is held in Louisville, Ky., in October. Fruit and meat fundraising sales are a good experience for FFA members. They develop sales experience and money management skills.
University of Missouri-Columbia campus. The Food Dialogues: Columbia was one of several forums held throughout the country in urban locations from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, D.C. Students participating (from left) are Dustin Neal; Maddie Kelly; Nora Faris; Shayla Norris; Tessa Chambers, state officer; Martha Cowherd; Hanna Janik; and Tanner Adkins, state officer.
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FFA community involvement
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 11
Bringing a petting zoo to area kids
By Jessica Hemme CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
Who likes animals? I sure do! Goats, cows and chickens, oh my! The Concordia FFA petting zoo, held every spring near the end of the school year, abounds with these animals. At the petting zoo, elementary students and community members are able to learn about livestock animals and how they are raised. FFA members are very informative about animal-care practices. Young visitors to the petting zoo will be able to interact with FFA members, pet their animals and participate in fun activities about livestock care, agriculture and farm safety.
‘Street Fair’ 2013
By Brooke Kilgore CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
Each year at the same time the streets fill with people from all over, coming for a little fun. As the sun goes down, the rides go up. This event is called Concordia Fall Festival. Many people do not know FFA members are involved in this event. This year we rode in the parade, throwing candy, waving and smiling to people all around us. We sat on uncomfortable hay and had the bright sun in our eyes, but if I had to do it again I would. It was a lot of fun! Before the street fair FFA members helped out by selling steer stand tick-
ets to people we know, in hopes they would win. It was an easy task. During the fair we walked around proudly wearing our FFA T-shirts — setting a good example for everyone watching. The last thing we did wasn’t fun, but in the end it was worth it. Many members woke up extra early before school, put on gloves, grabbed trash bags and cleaned the streets that were used for the fair. I strongly recommend for the younger kids to join FFA and be active. Not everything we do is fun, but it’s all worth it. You gain experience in life and get to help your community become a better place.
Celebrating FFA Week
By Kendra Ratliff CONCORDIA FFA REPORTER
FFA Week is all about showing pride in your FFA chapter. In our FFA chapter we hold a blood drive and a pancake breakfast. We learn that doing a blood drive can help to save
many lives of people who are in danger. Hosting a pancake breakfast for our community shows all of the students in the FFA chapter a way to help give others pride in everything they want to do. It also shows that charity is a very good and healthy thing in which to participate.
Our chapter also has two or three days to pick ways to dress up during FFA Week. FFA Week provides students in our chapter a way to get excited about FFA and encourages them to want to stay and participate in FFA for the remainder of their high school career.
Best Wishes FFA Chapters!
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PAGE 12 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The 2013-2014 Concordia FFA chapter members from left to right are: (first row) Kailey Bales, Martha Cowherd, Rachael Rodenberg, Nora Faris, Hanna Janik, Kendra Ratliff; (second row) Audrey Buesing, Bristol Schnakenberg, Megan Blake, Morgan Amor, Kayla Davis, Laura Edwards, Sabrina Limback, Kristen Brownlee, Kaitlyn Schnakenberg; (third row) Caleb Pfannakuch, Sam Rodenberg, Wade Heimsoth, Maddie Kelly, Shalya Norris, Tommy Bermudez, Jon Need, Derrick Lindstrom, Trent McGinnis; (fourth row) Nate Janik, Brenten Runyon, Bailey Hisle, McKenna Meyer, Lium Kelly, Tate Bittiker, Spencer Brown, Dustin Neal; (fifth row) Haley Turner, Grace Stumbagh,
Kasey Elling, Christopher Gallagher, Hunter Bredehoeft, Brooke Kilgore, Dalton Reynolds, Cole Tyler; (sixth row) Kendal Cox, Zach Amor, Alec Mueller, Derek Storch, Noah Sleeper and Samuel Jenkins.
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THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 13
The emblem
By Maddie Kelly CONCORDIA FFA MEMBER
The emblem in FFA means a lot, without this emblem FFA wouldn’t be considered the same! The emblem is more important than what people think! This emblem has six parts to it, and they are: the cross section of the ear of corn, the rising sun, the eagle,
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the owl, the plow and the words. The first of the six is the cross section of the ear of corn. This part is the whole emblem. The corn stands for unity, corn grown in every state! The rising sun is the middle of the emblem. The rising sun means the progress of agriculture. The eagle on the very top of the emblem is a reminder of our free-
dom. The owl in the middle, means wisdom and knowledge. The plow that the owl is sitting on symbolizes labor and tillage of the soil. Last but not least, the words. The words “Agricultural Education” and “FFA” symbolize how important agriculture is in the United States. Without agriculture we wouldn’t have anything that we have today!
FFA chapter activities
PAGE 14 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Concordia FFA officers participated in team-building workshops and planned chapter activities at the Area Chapter Officer Training, held in Marshall in May. Here, members of the chap-
ter officer team collaborate to set goals for the coming year. Students who participated (left to right) are Hanna Janik, Martha Cowherd, Rachael Rodenberg, Kailey Bales and Nora Faris.
Cody Langkraehr and Hanna Janik prepare fruit baskets for local families in need. The FFA conducts an annual fundraiser for chapter activities. Members sell and deliver gourmet fruit, meat and popcorn products, developing crucial marketing and financial management skills.
The Leadership Advantage.
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Instruction for Ag students
THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 — PAGE 15
Classroom instruction, in addition to participation in FFA and a Supervised Agricultural Experience program, is an important aspect of the agricultural education program. Students can take classes on a variety of agriculture-related subjects, including floriculture, food science, animal science and landscaping.
Greenhands, or firstyear FFA members, enjoy a presentation by State FFA President Abrea Mizer, who encourages members to further their involvement in the organization.
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PAGE 16 — THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, February 19, 2014
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. (The creed was written by E. M. Tiffany, and adopted at the FFA’s 3rd National Convention. It was revised at the 38th Convention and then the 63rd Convention.)