September Newsletter

September 2015

Volume 4, Issue 3

West Jackson Middle FFA

Newsletter

East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters Visit UGA and Attend Region Rally Thirty-three members of the East Jackson Middle and West Jackson Middle FFA Chapters visited The University of Georgia and attended the FFA Area II Rally on September 10th and 11th, 2015. The UGA visit was facilitated by Dr. Frank Flanders of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC).

The UGA visit began with a meet and greet with Dr. Kay Kelsey, Department Head of ALEC, Drs. Frank Flanders, Abigail Borron, Eric Rubenstein, and Milton Newberry, professors at UGA, and a host of UGA Agricultural Education students. After meeting with these individuals and learning about agriculture-related college and career opportunities, the FFA members walked to the Ramsey Student Center for Physical Activities for a tour of their facilities. Later, the FFA members boarded a UGA bus to Tate Student Center. The FFA members were divided into groups with their chaperones to tour the area around Tate including Sanford Stadium and the UGA Bookstore.

East Jackson Middle FFA member, Rylee Morgan, said, “I’m definitely coming back next time and looking forward to many FFA trips to come!” The University of Georgia

visit has been a special feature of the FFA Rally trip for the past two years, and it is sure to be a part of it for years to come!

After the UGA tour, EJMS and WJMS FFA members loaded up to head to the Georgia FFA Camp in Covington, GA for the FFA Area II Rally. To kick-off the rally, teams from East Jackson and West Jackson competed in the mud obstacle course using teamwork to get all team members over the mud wall, the slides, across the cat walk and through the tunnel. After dinner, students attended a leadership session led by Area II officers and learned about leadership and working with a group.

Continued on page 2

Inside this issue: Rally & UGA continued

2

Floral Design Clinic

3

Remind 101

4

Officer Message

4

Swine Show

5

Recap of August

5

September Meeting

6

BASIC Training

6

FFA Day at the Fair

7

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

8

Livestock Judging

8

BASIC Permission

9

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Newsletter

Area Rally & UGA Visit continued West Jackson Middle FFA Member, Savannah Page, said, “My favorite part of the Area 2 Rally was getting to play volleyball, because I got to play with all of my friends and even though we didn’t do well, we still had fun!” The next morning, each team began prepping for the “Amazing Race” challenge! Teams had to work together to race to locations around the camp on the scavenger-hunt. Each station had a leadership activity or questions about agricultural mechanics, animal science, horticulture, and agricultural education the teams had to answer before moving on. Overall, East and West FFA members had fun getting to know each other, learning about leadership, and working together!

East Jackson Middle FFA members who attended Area II Rally were Sabrina Livingston, Nathan Pagsisihan, Nate McKinney, Sara Saliba, Natalie Gunnells, Maggie Logan, Annalise Dominski, Rylee Morgan, Madisyn Neese, Meghan Cheatham, Janiya Drinnon, Diamond Goodrich, Rashanti Burnett, and Candice Jessimy.

West Jackson Middle FFA members who attended Area II Rally were Bailey Hamm, Alyssa Bradley, Garrett Bryson, Gage Kremer, Savannah Page, Trevor Slaick, Noel Plunkett, Kyler Smith, Ashlyn Tomlin, Logan Cantrell, Gates Burke, Aaron Brown, Meghan Harris, Charlie Brooksher, Madyson McDaniel, Kaitlyn Vick, Hannah White, and Savannah Van Buren.

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Volume 4, Issue 3

West Jackson Middle FFA members Attend State-wide Floral Design Training COVINGTON, GA – West Jackson Middle FFA members Savannah Van Buren and Cassie Jones recently attended the statewide FFA Floral Design Career Development Event training held at the GA FFA/ FCCLA Center. This two day training was developed specifically for FFA members and FFA Advisors to strengthen their floral design skills as well as build confidence in their own creative ability. The training was led and sponsored by members of the Georgia State Florist Association along with generous donations from many floral companies from across the nation. The partnership between the middle and high school agriculture programs and the Georgia State Florist Association plays a fundamental role in preparing students through hands on experiences for future careers in the floral industry. FFA Advisor and Agriculture Teacher, April Davis was also in attendance.

The Floral Design Career Development Event, which will be held in September, allows students to showcase their talents in a competitive environment by utilizing the principles and elements of design. Students use the principles of balance, proportion, scale, focal point, emphasis, rhythm, harmony, unity, and the technique of flower placement to create their designs.

Each student must also identify twentyfive flowers, plants or equipment from a list of seventy-five as well as take a test over the floral industry, safety and the proper techniques of floral design.

The students make up to two floral arrangements during the area events in the time permitted. The top two students from each of the six area events will move on to compete on the state level

in December at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

FFA is a national organization of over 610,000 members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education program in public schools. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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September Officer’s Message: Savannah Van Buren Hi! I’m Savannah Van Buren, and I’m your 2015-2016 West Jackson Middle FFA President. I’m an eighth grader at WJMS, and I’m very excited to be serving on the FFA Officer team again this year!

Career Development Events, or CDEs, are one of my favorite parts of FFA. I personally compete in Floral Design which consists of making floral arrangements to be judged by a panel

of local florists. The Floral Design CDE is coming up on October 1st, and I am really looking forward to it!

CDEs are a great way to get involved, and there are many to choose from. Stop by the Ag room to speak with Mrs. Davis about CDE opportunities and to sign up for something that interests you!

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Volume 4, Issue 3

WJMS FFA member Excels at Swine Show The Labor Day Trojan Throwdown Swine Show was held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia on Sunday, September 6th, 2015.

The Trojan Throwdown was put on by the Fullington Academy FFA Chapter and was sponsored by State Bank, Frank Morgan, Walmart, Moody Family, Godfrey’s Feed, Sunglo, Big Indian Feed, and Smyth Family.

While at the show, sixth grade West Jackson Middle FFA member Savannah Page did a great job representing Jackson County! Savannah competed against other 6th graders from across the state and won her class of showmanship. In the market gilt show, Sa- Savannah Page is the daughter of Phil and Christy Page. Savannah is pictured with her Grand Champion Market Barrow, judge John Paul Martin, her brothvannah won their classes. Savannah’s er Carson, and her father, Phil. gilt went on to be chosen as the 3rd Overall Market Gilt for the show. In the market barrow show, Savannah placed first in her class. Additionally, Savannah’s barrow went on to be chosen as Grand Champion of the Market Barrow show.

Recap: August FFA Meeting Thank you to everyone who came out to the August FFA Meeting— Back to School Bash! With more than 50 students in attendance, we think a good time was had by all! We hope you enjoyed the inflatable slip and slide, water games, and pie-ing an officer!

Don’t forget that from this point forward, you MUST be a paid FFA member to attend events! :)

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September FFA Meeting: Field Day!!

The September FFA Meeting theme is Field Day! We will have a variety of field day games and activities for FFA members to compete in! You should definitely mark your calendars for this one!

When: Tuesday, September 22nd Time: After school until 5:00PM Where: Meet in the Ag Room Theme: Field Day! Be prepared for field day games and excitement!

Who: Must be a paid FFA member to attend BASIC Training Field Trip —September 23rd BASIC is a field trip program designed for student organizations. The programs are designed to teach team skills to students in an exciting and hands-on environment.

During the BASIC Training trip, students will go through a high ropes course, team building initiatives, and a mud course.

Note: If you know that you are unwilling to try the high ropes or mud course, please don’t sign up for this trip. :)

What: BASIC Training Leadership Trip When: Wednesday, September 23rd

* Only the first 20 FFA members will be allowed to attend * Must turn in permission form by Monday, September 21st

Time: Leave WJMS at 7:00AM and return to JCCHS around 6:00PM Where: Georgia FFA Camp in Covington Who: WJMS & EJMS FFA members Cost: $40 which includes mud course, high ropes course, lunch, & transportation

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FFA Day at the Georgia National Fair —October 13th WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 13th ***BUT you must have your permission form turned in and a project registered by September 21st.

WHERE: Georgia National Fair in Perry, GA HOW: Only students with projects registered at the Georgia National Fair can attend COST: $25

Minibooths (informational booths about plants, forestry, natural resources, or wildlife; can be individual or with a partner) ***We are limited to 10 minibooths, so let Mrs. Davis know ASAP if you are interested!

Ag Mechanics Projects (could include metal projects, woodworking, or PVC and MUST include a project plan and materials list) Floriculture Contest (practice after school with Mrs. Davis and the floriculture team to learn to identify common plants)

West Jackson Middle FFA

West Jackson Middle School 400 Gum Springs Church Rd Jefferson, GA 30549 Phone: 706-654-2775 Extension: 503 E-mail: adavis@jackson.k12.ga.us Website: wjmsffa.wix.com/wjmsffa

Want to earn an invitation to FFA Day at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, GA??

GET INVOLVED! If you would like to attend the FFA Day at the Fair trip, you must be involved in one of the contests that go on there.

The FFA Day at the Fair trip includes a leadership rally and a day of rides at one of the largest fairs in the southeast!

All events for the Georgia National Fair MUST be registered online (by Mrs. Davis) by September 21st, and if you are interested in competing minibooths and ag mechanics projects MUST be completed by October 1st so that they can be delivered before the fair starts).

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Newsletter

WJMS FFA Sets Fundraiser On the pick up date, (October 7th) FFA members will pick up the donuts that they have sold and deliver them to their buyers.

The West Jackson Middle FFA is selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts for its fall fundraiser!

FFA members are selling Original Glazed for $6, Chocolate Covered for $8, and Kreme Filled for $8.

The doughnut sales will end and orders need to be returned to Mrs. Davis by October 2nd.

Orders will be delivered to WJMS on October 7th and can be picked up from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.

We can accept cash or checks made payable to WJMS. Stop by the Ag Room to get your sale sheet! The FFA member who sells the most will get a prize!

WJMS FFA Members Training for Livestock Judging Four members of West Jackson Middle FFA have been working hard at practicing for the Livestock Judging Career Development Event in December. Jackson County Young Farmer Teacher, Josh Whitworth, has worked to prepare livestock judging opportunities for these FFA members as well as other FFA members throughout Jackson County.

Students have worked to learn how to judge cattle, sheep, swine, and goats, and they have judged cattle, swine and goat classes throughout the county.

After a day of judging, students meet again to work on their reasons—a 1 to 2 minute oral presentation of their reasonings behind their placings.

This group of students is dedicated to working hard to do well in the contest.

Would you like to get involved in a CDE? See Mrs. Davis for possible options!

The Livestock Judging Team will have their first practice contest on Monday, September 21st at the Gwinnett County Fair. Good luck!

Members of the Livestock Judging Team includes Savannah Page, Charlie Brooksher, Hannah White, and Madyson McDaniel.

BASIC Training Leadership Trip – September 23rd Parental Consent Form Assumption of Risk / Informed Consent / Voluntary Release

B.A.S.I.C. Training “Building and Achieving Success in Chapters”

You will be taking part in a challenge course program that is physically and mentally challenging, but it is designed to be safe and within the capability of anyone in reasonably good health. If you know of any physical limitations that will limit your ability to participate in the course, please let your facilitator know.

The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center operates under a “Challenge by Choice” philosophy, which means that you have the option to select your personal level of challenge in all activities. During the program, we will provide a challenging setting in which to expand your limits, while supporting your personal boundaries. As with any physical activity, there is some risk of injury. To minimize the potential for accidents, it is important to listen to the facilitators and follow their instructions. Please ask questions if you do not understand directions.

“I fully understand that my participation in the challenge / ropes course activities facilitated by the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center and all of their employees and instructors could result in injury or death. I do voluntarily choose to participate in these activities.

Also, my participation requires that I am of good physical condition and I do hereby accept all responsibility for my own physical well-being, and I do not have any medical conditions that will prohibit me from safely participating or will put me at risk of injury. Being fully aware of the degree of risk and injury to myself, I hereby release and hold harmless the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center and all of their employees and instructors from any claim, action, damage, liability, and expenses of any kind resulting from accident or injury incurred while participating in these activities.”

Participant Name (print): _____________________________________________________________________________ Participant Signature: ____________________________________________________ Date: ______________________ Group Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Program: ______________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: _______________________ Required Participant Information: Date of Birth:_______________________________

Male / Female (circle one)

Home Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian(s) Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Home phone: ____________________________________Cell phone: __________________________________ In case you are not available in an emergency situation, please indicate an additional person to be notified: Name:___________________________________________Relationship to student:________________________ Contact Information: __________________________________________________________________________ Is this student covered by medical insurance? Yes / No (circle one) Plan Name:___________________________________ Group #: ______________________________________ Does the participant have any medical conditions (including recent surgery, pregnancy, healing fractures, back or neck injuries, heart condition, etc.) that would limit participation in the program? Yes No If yes, please explain: _________________________________________________________________________ List any current medications: __________________________________________________________________________ List any allergies: __________________________________________________________________