“Supporting Leadership Opportunities and activities of the FFA and Agriculture Education”
NDND FFA FOUNDATION FFA FOUNDATION PO BOX 6022 BISMARCK, ND 58506
PO Box 6022 Bismarck, ND 58506 National Convention Issue
V O L U M E
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The National FFA Convention was exciting for ND students for many reasons this year: it was the first FFA convention held in Indianapolis; there were 52 ND students who received their American Degrees; ND had a finalist in the Star in Ag Placement, and had 5 national finalists for their proficiency award areas.
There are 4,567 FFA members in ND
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I S S U E
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N O V E M B E R ,
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ND Has 5 National Finalists for Proficiency Awards
There are 78 Secondary Ag Education Programs in ND
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In 2005-06, FFA members in the state earned $6,365,051 through their SAE programs
Read on and learn more about the 5 finalists. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: American Degrees
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National Conv. Results
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District Leadership
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Sponsors
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Star—Chris Duchsherer
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Memorials
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Message from President
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Ben Beach from Carrington—National Finalist in Ag Design and Fabrication When Ben Beach began working at BUZ Manufacturing in Carrington, he did not realize the many skills he would learn or the training he would receive. Ben, a Carrington High School graduate, started working during the summer of 2001 and has since been employed full time in the summers. He also put in part time hours during the school year. BUZ Manufacturing produces grain cleaners, truck boxes, and metal components for electric cars. The majority of work Ben did when he
started with BUZ Manufacturing included cleaning. Since that first summer, Ben has continually advanced in his knowledge and skills to become a valued employee. He now operates the bandsaw and metal shearer, bending/ shaping brake, metal cutter, vertical mill drill, robotic MIG welder, painting equipment, and a MIG welder. Ben said, “The biggest advantage I have working at BUZ Manufacturing is that my supervisors are willing to take the time to teach me how to produce precision parts using the different metal working machines.” Andrew Draeger from Wyndmere—National Finalist in Food Science & Technology The Wyndmere FFA Chapter is proud to have their current FFA President as a national finalist. Andrew Draeger began
working in the area of agriscience when he started a job at the Pioneer Hybrid Seed Production plant in Wahpeton during the summer of 2004. His sister Kari saw his interest in food science and helped obtain a position at Seeds 2000 in Breckinridge. Seeds 2000 is a seed company that produces primarily oil and confectionary sunflower seeds, along with a few different types of soybeans. Andrew’s duties originally consisted of assisting the research team with harvesting the crop raised in the company’s nursery during the 2004 growing season. The “harvesting” consisted of threshing the individual sunflower heads, then placing the contents into envelopes labeled with the sample number. After helping complete the harvest campaign from the 2004 crop, Andrew was asked to stay on and prepare for the 2005 research endeavors and then offered a full time job, working in the confectionary sunflower nurseries for the 2005 Cont. on page 2 Cont. on page 2