For some reason I just want to shout "RICOLA" !

MOOORE FFA banquets! Just the day after spending the day back home in Marshall, I was on the road again to Nicollet, Minnesota for their chapter FFA banquet. I have met quite a few people over the years associated with this chapter including Matt, Molly, Megan, Ashley, Sam, Lindsey, Ashley and their awesome advisor Mr. Stone. This chapter is unique in the fact that their membership consists of two school districts: Nicollet and St. Peter- so although they may not have classes together, they are still chapter members. Also, whenever I think of Nicollet (or spelling it) I think of the throat lozenge commercial "Ricola".. not sure why, Random.

Ashley… received her State FFA Degree! She will be a sophomore at the University of Minnesota in the VetFAST program. She lived just down the hall from in me in Bailey Hall! Just as she arrived at the banquet, she showed me the huge ring on her finger. I wasn’t sure what to think of it until she told me that it meant she was selected as 1 of 12 Dairy Princess finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Sam… graciously accepted the responsibility to serve as chapter president. Having met her at camp this summer, I am optimistic for he leadership this chapter will have in the next year with Sam and, Vice President re-elect Ashley. Also, her mom made the best cake ever. It’s chocolate cake- caramel- rich creamy frosting- heath candy…MMMMMMM.

Thank you for inviting me to your banquet!

The next night I took a trip on over to Hector, Minnesota to participate in the annual Buffalo Lake-Hector VS. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop FFA softball game...we (BLH) got hammered, but had some moments of successes with a number of home runs. I had a Tori Hunter like diving catch. Ok yes, I know Torii Hunter is old news for the Twins, BUT TO ME his incredible catches are still worth mentioning. I couldn’t believe that I caught it (I don’t think anyone could) but sure enough just as I ripped my knee open on the rough ground, the ball dropped in. In the end, we lost by at least 15... oh well. I still had some fun.

Alex… will spend his summer harvesting peas and preparing for an exciting first year of college at SDSU for Agriculture. He received his state degree and was the runner up in Vegetable Production Proficiency Award at the State FFA Convention.

Connor… was recently elected to serve as chapter secretary. This past summer at camp, he told me of one of his FFA goals (I’m not going to tell you it) but I can say that he is well on his way.

Larissa... came later from her own Softball game and contributed some incredible catches and the defense we needed to slow down their scoring rally.

Thanks to Aryel for the invite!

Midnight kickball in Marshall

Just as finals week wrapped up, the celebration of my home FFA chapter's banquet began.This year, the Marshall FFA chapter chose "Today Reflects Tomorrow" as their theme. I wish I could find a picture of their graphic because it speaks for itself.

More that anything, I was just happy to be back home with the friends, teachers and community that helped me develop my own worthwhile FFA experience.

2009-2010 Chapter Officer Team: Doug, Craig, Josh, Adam, Emma, Eric & Kate

 I am super excited for a particular chapter member, Eric DeBlieck. This year, he pursued his goals and ran for a Region VI FFA Office. His goal was achieved as he is now currently serving as the 2010-2011 Region VI Sentinel! But it doesn't stop there, he will also serve the Marshall FFA chapter as the 2010-2011 President. Oh, one more small note. Next fall, he, Douglas Fischer and Kenny Deutz will represent Minnesota at the National FFA Convention in the Farm Business Management CDE. State Champs!!

National advancing Farm Business Management Team: Eric, Doug & Kenny

After being separated for approximately 2 days, I was reunited with my friend and former teammate- Crystal. She was the guest speaker for the night and shared with us her millions of traffic violations. (Actually it was only two, but they WERE within 10 minutes of each other)

I'm really excited for another chapter member who has been taking an active role more recently. In her first year, Adri competed in the Job Interview CDE, sang in the State Chorus, and she was one of the top contributing members to the Youth Energy Summit team (which WON the State chapter exchange of ideas). Oh two more things: she will serve as chapter secretary next year and she will attend the Washington Leadership Conference with Eric this summer!

Adri and I after State Convention

Afterwards, our chapter went out to Mr.Lanoue's (my adviser) for an extremely long game of kickball. The team I was on was victorious winning 53-30. We played from about 9:30-12:00. It was INTENSE. Finally, I got to catch up with two of my good friends. John and Brad are part of the reason I have become so active in FFA because they were always encouraging, but most of all my friends. 

The 2010-2011 Officer Team: Sam, Brad, Taylor, Tom, Adri, Craig, Emma, Eric & Meghan

Alden-Conger FFA Banquet!

While driving on I-90 don't miss the exit to Alden! Yeah, my driving skills continue to get better each day that I am on the road. Thankfully, I got a GPS earlier this year- but even that gets me lost.

Anyway- Annie , a friend I met this summer at the State Greenhand Leadership Conference, invited me to come to her speak at her home chapter banquet- Alden Conger FFA. Once again, my chapter banquet experience was fulfilled with great food, awesome FFA members and lots of hardware!

Here are my top 4 take-aways:

1.  Cheesy Turkey. When I was told that cheesy turkey sandwiches were on the menu, my reaction was not the same as when I finally tried one. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. So good. 1 was definitely not enough.
2. Cody... is an outstanding FFA member, student and athlete. He joined the "has-been" President club, was a State Star Finalist in Placement, a Beef Proficiency Finalist, worked at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and attended SLCCL- all in his senior year. Additionally, Cody received a number of scholarships including the Dekalb Award. Finally, he has been quite successful in the track and field world with his hops in the high jump. Next fall he will be a Golden Gopher studying Pre-Vet Medicine!
3. Annie, Katie, Lorna, Anna + State Convention + Nerf guns = a good time. They shared their pictures on the chapter slide show of the fun they had at state convention. Kind of jealous...
4. Anticipating the election of the 2010-2011 chapter officers! Congrats to Tyler, Annie this year's President and Vice-President- may you lead your chapter well. I found it really encouraging to see that a number of the students that were officers are going to be sophomores.

This chapter is a great example of student opportunity and community support. When I asked Jacob, among other FFA members "What got you started?", they credited back to their parents encouraging them to be involved. Mrs. Koenen, the adviser and agricultural educator in Alden Conger, provides unique opportunities for Junior High students by giving them membership, Discovery degrees and chances to compete in Regional CDEs.  Thank you for the invite! I had a grrreat time.

Safety First!

I can recall it like it was yesterday. Driving with my mom back to our farm after a day at kindergarten. In a flash- police cars flew by- ambulances blared their sirens- and the road between our house and our neighbors was clogged with firetrucks, police cars, ambulances and the cars of bystanders. Tragically, that day my neighbor lost his life in a farm accident. In a moment- an everyday routine of farm work turned into a disaster.
Although I couldn't really grasp the reality of of it as a kid, as I have grown up, I have been exposed to the importance and the implications of farm safety.

According to the Minnesota Farm Bureau: Farm safety, especially for children, is one of the most important issues facing farm families today. Over 22,000 children under the age of 20 are injured in farm related accidents each year in the United States.

Thankfully, Minnesota FFA members and members of the Minnesota Farm Bureau have been working together to create educational farm safety days for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Just off the top of my head, I can think of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter for their consistent efforts to create farm safety opportunities in their school and even at the annual FarmFest near Redwood Falls, MN. Earlier this spring, I was contacted by a member of the Dodge County Farm Bureau and the Kasson-Mantorville FFA Chapter about their Farm Safety Day! Even though it wasn't the best weather, we still had a great time sharing with over 150 3rd grade students about a variety of topics including a 911 simulator, 'I Spy' a farm hazard, lawn mower safety, animal safety, chemical safety amongst many. I shared with students about disabilities.

Patrick Jirik, University of Minnesota Extension-Dodge County specialist, guided me with our presentation.

We worked with the students and performed activities such as:

-writing our name

-putting tooth paste on a tooth brush

-zipping up a jacket

-buttering bread

-unscrewing a bolt

ALL with 1 hand. Not just any hand, but the opposite of our dominate hand.

It's hard!

Are you kidding me?!

Stop cheating!

This doesn't even look like my name.

Hey can I have my hand back?

... were the words and shouts that filled the barn as the students scribbled their name, juggled their toothbrush and fumbled with their zipper. As our 20 minutes ended, I asked the students: What did you learn about disabilities? While most responses included words synonymous with "difficult", one students response stick out in my head.

Nick said,"I learned that disabilities can be turned into abilities as long as you practice."

What encouraging words from a 3rd grader. He is right. After the 20 minutes ended, the students 'got their arms back', but realized that for other people-a farm related disability is a reality. Fortunately for those affected my farm related accidents, it isn't necessarily a disability but the development of a new ability.

Thank you to the Dodge County Farm Bureau for providing the future of agriculture and the future of our state with a quality opportunity to learn about farm safety. Thank you Ms. Pagel and Kasson-Mantorville FFA members for inviting me!

Here is a pic that I uncovered from last summer in the Farm Safety tent at FarmFest.

Sibley East FFA!

My final week of college is finally here, and I have finally finished finals week. FINAL.

Ok, enough of that.

Sibley East FFA!

Wednesday, I took a trip over to Arlington, MN for the Sibley East FFA chapter banquet. Here are my top 4 highlights:

1. FOOD. This was by far the best banquet meal I had all year. The mashed potatoes were incredible and I probably could have ate the whole pan of it.

2. Getting to know the Star Greenhand, Christy. Already, in addition to receiving her Greenhand Degree she has successfully competed in the Best Informed Greenhand competition, won the Region VII Dairy Judging contest, been elected to serve as chapter Reporter and this summer she will go to the State Greenhand Leadership Conference. Talk about a great start.

3. Re-uniting with Vinz, Erin, Bryce, and Jessica-getting to see them in action with their chapter as officers, awards and chapter slide show.

4. Meeting 2 alumni fraternity brothers of mine in Alpha Gamma Rho: BOTH Sibley East advisers, Mr. Uhlenkamp and Mr. Eppen.

5. Welcoming Kenzie to the has been-President club. She just retired as Chapter President and is moving on to new things next fall at MSU-Mankato to study Nursing. Congrats on a great 4 years in FFA!

It always gets me each time they begin the installation of the new officers. I think back to when I was first installed as Region VI Sentinel in 2007. I was so nervous and excited at the same time. Since then I have been through 5 installation ceremonies, and at State Convention last April it was bittersweet as I found myself saying, "It is an honor to be an officer in the FFA..." The beginning of the installation of a new generation of agricultural education leaders. I find myself mouthing the words or saying them in my head at each banquet, and think about the meaning of the installation and retirement of each officer team. Its not the end, just another beginning.

" Plowing the Way, Seeding the Mind, Growing Success, Harvesting the Future"- Thief River Falls FFA

Just last week, an incredible chapter in my life ended as I retired as a MN FFA State Officer. But, as every chapter ends, a new one must be written, and I'm not DONE with my involvement in the agricultural industry or FFA.
Yesterday, Emily and I took the long haul up to Thief River Falls, Minnesota for their 12th annual chapter banquet. In case you didn't know, TRF is a closer drive to Winnipeg, Canada than it is to Saint Paul, MN! aka- it is far!

A really old school jacket... the chapter was re-chartered in 1998

Might I say, they have an incredible high school. Yeah, its REALLY old on the outside, but you would never know that once inside. The Ag Room is full of guinea pigs, rabbits, fish and projects FFA members have completed. I am amazed by the quality of membership and program they have here for it being so young. In this past year, their 12th year, they were quite successful at state convention.

Whitney, Emily and I with their mascot- the "Prowler"

*ALL 5 of their Proficiency applicants placed in the top 6 of their respective category

*Small Animals(5th), Parliamentary Procedure(6th)

*2 students will represent Minnesota at the National Convention

-Isaac has an AgriScience Fair project that focuses on the process of Electrolysis in relation to their local wind turbines.

-Whitney also has an AgriScience Fair project in Zoology about infections in Horses, she also will be competing in Extemporaneous Public Speaking!

-4 FFA members received their State Degree!

This chapter is well put together, and I'm more than optimistic of where they will go in the future.

As you could guess, on such a long trip, 12 hour round trip in fact, you can get bored...

We are not quite sure what the significance is, but I believe that it may be in tribute to the previous population of 1,000,000 seals in Minnesota... obviously the Polar Bear won.