CNA-SS-2-20-2017

National FFA Week • Feb. 18-25, 2017

February 20, 2017

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Volunteer of the year Donation

The FFA today Developing leadership, cooperation and citizenship for tomorrow’s agriculturists - this is the main goal of the national FFA organization. For 86 years, the FFA has complemented agricultural instruction by making classroom lessons come to life through realistic applications.

The FFA is structured on three levels - local, state and national. A board of Directors and six student national officers leads the National FFA Organization. Together they act on recommendations from the national convention delegates and set operational policy for the FFA. The program division, FFA New Horizons magazine, and the National FFA Supply Service, located in Alexandria Virginia (headquarters) carry through the policies, and provide programs and services for the organization.

The national officers represent their members. A President, secretary, and four regional vice presidents are elected each year at the national convention.

State associations function within the constitution of the national organization, but also may create individual leadership, award and contest

Creston Chamber of Commerce awarded Rich Wenzig with the 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award. Mr. Wenzig selected Creston FFA as the recipient of the $200 donation from the Chamber. The Creston FFA chapter is thankful for his contribution and support. Pictured are senior members and chapter officers Morgan Shawler, Mattie Wheeler, and Rich Wenzig. programs. Chapters are chartered through the state associations. As on the national level, state officers lead their membership of the associations, and are elected by convention delegates. The number and types of officers at the state level may vary.

In Iowa the Iowa FFA student officers include president, six vice presidents, representing the six districts (North East, North Central, North West, South West, South Central, and South East Districts), a secretary and reporter. Each district is further broken down into 4 sub districts (North East, North West, South West, and South East, representing approximately 10-11 schools per sub district).

The heart of the organization is at the local level. FFA Chapters may be chartered in any public school with an agriculture education program. Officers include a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, and sentinel. Additional offi-

cers may be utilized as the local chapter sees a need.

A Program of Activities is utilized, serving as a road map for planning activities and accomplishing desired goals. Each member is assigned specific responsibilities within the program of activities to ensure total member involvement. Wide-ranging types of activities are utilized to meet individual member needs and the needs of their community.

The FFA is structures into a degree program that rewards active FFA members for progress in all phases of leadership, skill and occupational development. The Greenhand degree and the Chapter FFA degree are awarded at the chapter level. State Associations award top members with the State FFA degree. The highest degree, the American FFA degree, is conferred on an elite group of members at the national level.

In addition to active membership (retain active membership until No-

vember 30, following the fourth National FFA Convention after graduation from high school), individuals can become members in three other categories - honorary, alumni and collegiate. Honorary membership is conferred on those individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the FFA and agriculture education. This degree is found on three levels: Honorary Chapter, and American FFA Degrees. Alumni membership is available to former members and other supporters of the FFA. Collegiate members belong to FFA chapters at two or four year post secondary schools and are enrolled in agriculture courses.

FFA is a vital component of the agriculture education programs involving millions of students since its inception, in 1928, located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

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FFA Career Development Event Chapter Officer Leadership Skills Prove Beneficial for Training Creston Community Career Development Events (CDE) are designed to teach FFA members skills that are marketable in agriculture industry. Creston FFA members Kayla Luther and Paige Parsons participate in the Floriculture CDE. In this event members developed skills in making floral arrangements.

This year Creston FFA volunteered to make a wreath

Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) happens in each district throughout the duration of the summer. This conference is lead by district FFA officers, with the assistance of the state FFA officers.

Creston FFA had 10 of 11 chapter officers attend this training summer of 2016.

COLT was hosted by the Knoxville FFA Chapter at Knoxville High School.

The curriculum for this

for the Festival of Trees fundraiser where proceeds went toward the Rural Iowa Crisis Center. Kayla and Paige put their floral arranging skills to great use not only for designing a beautiful wreath but also raising money for a good cause.

one-day conference focuses on: - Developing specific officer duties - Developing chapter officer team dynamics - Building relationships between local, district and state FFA entities - Recruitment Sophomore, Hank Looney, shares his experience from COLT “Being a new officer it is nice to have some training in knowing my offi-

cer duties and responsibilities. I met officers from others chapters and got to learn about how things are done in other chapters from around out district.” COLT provides a unique opportunity for member to work along side officers from all across the district, something our officer appreciated. FFA trainings, conferences, conventions, and contests are what makes strong leaders of our members.

Creston FFA chapter officers attended the 2016 Chapter Officer Leadership Training held at Knoxville High School.

Chapter officers are: (front) Taylor Sorrells, Kayla Luther, Paige Parsons, Macy Evans, Mattie Wheeler; (back) Hank Looney, Seth Steinbach, Will Gordon, Laura Weis, and Morgan Shawler.

Members of the Creston FFA Floriculture CDE team, Kayla Luther and Paige Parsons, designed a wreath for the Festival of Trees fundraiser this past winter.

Creston FFA promotes hunting safety to Creston middle school 6th grade students Creston FFA partnered with Mrs. Bevins’s 6th grade Language Arts class to write essays regarding hunting safety. Mrs. Bevins worked with the students on the principles of Language Arts and the FFA’s Environmental Issues committee read

the essays. Two student essays were selected as the most creative and thorough in covering the topic of hunting safety. The two award recipients of the essay contest were Hayden Ray and William Clayton ; each student received a blaze orange

hunting vest as the winning prize. Awards were presented at a special hunting safety program coordinated by the Creston FFA Chapter. Mr. Corey Carlton, an Iowa DNR Officer for our area was the guest speaker, he covered gun safety and

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hunting safety rules. Creston FFA is pleased to partner with Mrs. Bevins and Mr. Carlton to help educate our young people of the rules and safety precautions needed for a safe and successful hunting experience.

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Creston FFA members along with Officer Corey Carlton present two blaze orange hunting vests to Hayden Ray and Hunter Fry for their outstanding hunting safety essays. Pictured from left to right: Dakota Burgmaier, Officer Carlton, Hayden Ray, William Clayton, Trevor Marlin, and Will Gordon.

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Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

4th Annual Agriculture Leaders Dinner

Homecoming Activities

The Iowa Department of Agriculture held its 4th annual Agriculture Leaders dinner, held at the Iowa State Fair Hansen Animal Learning Center. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey presented agriculture leadership awards to individuals, organizations, and companies. FFA members from across the state of Iowa are invited to this prestigious event. Members have the opportunity network with industry leaders as well as members from other chapters.

An enjoyable evening was had honoring agricultural leaders from across the state of Iowa at the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s 4th annual Ag Leaders Dinner. Creston FFA member and state Vice President, Zach Hoffman, along with his advisor, Kelsey Bailey are pictured with Senator Tom Shipley.

Creston FFA works to showcase FFA through school activities. Creston FFA member work diligently to design and build a homecoming float the fits the theme of the event. Pictured on the 2016 Homecoming float are: (sitting front to back) Danika Schultes, Mattie Wheeler, Chole Hagle, Logan Pettit, Ellie Starlin, Taylor Sorrels, Morgan Shawler; (standing front to back) Kolten Phelps, Seth Steinbach, Dakota Burgmaier, Paige Parsons, and Tom Steinbach.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017— Page 5c

38 Creston FFA Members Attend the South Central District FFA Convention Saturday, March 12th, 38 Creston FFA members attended the South Central District Leadership Convention in Lamoni, Iowa on Graceland University campus. There the members successfully participated in eleven leadership contests, accepted academic achievement award honors, and represented the chapter in delegate sessions as well as accepted the Supreme National Chapter award.

Leadership contests are an opportunity for members to gain life skills that are applicable to many careers in and out of agriculture industry. Creston’s FFA Parliamentary Procedures team, consisting of Caitlin McIlravy, Macy Evans, Mattie Wheeler, Morgan Shawler, and Logan Pettit, earned a gold rating and advanced to state April 18th. The Chapter Program team, consisting of Jordan Moreland, Paige Parsons, and Taylor Sorrells, earned a gold rating and also advanced to state. The Experience the Action Team, consisting of Maura Kinsella, Hailey Walter, Devon Buls, Billie Fogle, Laura Weis, Hank Looney, Kelsey Watson, and Kolten Phelps, received a gold rating and is an alternate to state. And the treasurer’s book, prepared

by Mattie Wheeler, earned gold and is an alternate for

state. Proficiency awards for SAE projects saw 2 Creston FFA members advance to state; Macy Evans for beef production and Mattie Wheeler for goat production. The top two participants in each of the leadership contests advance to state. Additional contests competing at the 2016 South Central District Convention included: Extemporaneous Speaking (Maddie Travis) – silver; Ag Issues and Perceptions (Trevor Marlin, Tom Steinbach, Seth Steinbach, Brenden McDowell, Mason Kinsella, Will Gordon and Dakota Burgmeier) – silver; Chapter Quiz (Cali Foglesong, Alexis Baker, Kelsi Kautz, and Gavin Sickels) – silver; Secretary’s book (Macy Evans) – silver, Reporter’s Scrapbook (Morgan Shawler and Paige Parsons) – silver.

Nine of Creston FFA’s graduating seniors were awarded and recognized for their outstanding academic achievements during their FFA membership. Members receiving the Iowa FFA Academic achievement award include: Catlin McIlravy, Gracie Russell, Sydney Dunphy, Wyatt Thompson, Emily Gravlin, Rebecca Watson, Cooper McDermott, Jessica Beatty, and Maddie Travis.

Nine of Creston FFA’s junior and members have

earned the highest award presented by the Iowa FFA Association, the Iowa FFA Degree.

Members must meet scholastic, leadership, and financial requirements to earn such and honor through the FFA Association. The 2016 Iowa FFA Degree recipients include: Will Gordon, Macy Evans,

Mattie Wheeler, Morgan Shawler, Olivia Hartman, Logan Pettit, Cali Foglesong, Maddie Travis, and Trevor Marlin. Members will receive their degree certificate and gold Iowa FFA Degree medallion at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference on April 19th on the campus of Iowa State

University.

The Creston FFA Chapter continues to be recognized as one of the top 25 chapters in the State of Iowa by earning the Supreme National Chapter Award. The chapter has earned such prestigious recognition due to our continued efforts in building our members, our

Thirty-eight Creston FFA members participated in 11 leadership activities at the 2016 South Central District FFA Convention. Members gained knowledge and skill in various real to life events that will prove beneficial to the members as they secure careers in agricultural industry.

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chapter, and our community. Creston will be recognized at the Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference in April as well as the National FFA Convention in October 2016, which will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Creston FFA Chapter Named One of Iowa’s Best at State Leadership Conference Twenty-four Creston FFA members along with advisor Kelsey Bailey, and chaperone Shelly Parsons, were among the over 5,400 members and guest who attended the recently completed 88th annual State FFA Leadership Conferences in Ames, Iowa, April 18th and 19th.

The Creston FFA Chapter’s tradition of excellence continued when the local FFA Chapter was again recognized as on of the elite programs in the state of Iowa during the 2016 State FFA Leadership Conferences proceedings held in Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University.

The Creston FFA Chapter placed in the state’s Supreme National Chapter Award competition earning a gold emblem award and recognized with the Supreme National Chapter award. The chapter’s application will advance to National competition this fall. In addition, the chapter was also recognized as the state winning community development chapter in the area of environmental development.

Creston FFA was busy with leadership contest while attending the conference. The parliamentary procedures team participated at the state level earning a silver em-

blem, members included: band met twice to prac- ia Hartman serve as state Caitlin McIlravy, Macy tice before performing at delegates voting on all ofEvans, Mattie Wheeler, the 4th and final session of ficial business and state ofLogan Pettit, and Mor- the 88th annual Iowa FFA ficer elections.

To end yet another sucgan Shawler. The chapter State Leadership Confercessful state conference, program team consisting ence.

Nine local FFA mem- Creston FFA was proud to of Jordan Moreland, Paige Parsons, and Taylor Sor- bers were awarded the see senior member, Zach rells earned a bronze em- Iowa FFA Degree during Hoffman elected as the blem at state contest. The the convention proceed- Iowa FFA State Associafarm business manage- ings. This degree is the tion South Central District ment team made of Trev- highest honor the Iowa Vice President. Zach’s duor Marlin, Ian Burns, FFA Association bestows ties require a full year of Will Gordon, and Na- upon its membership. service to the Iowa FFA than Pudenz earned a sil- Recipients of this honor Association. He will be rever rating at state. Two must put forth great ef- sponsible for directing the freshman members, Bil- fort through involvement works of our organization, lie Fogle and Dev- in course work, leadership, making chapter visits all on Buls earned a silver and SAE achievement. across the state of Iowa, as emblem for the greenhand Those earning the cov- well as lead the South Cenquiz contest. The team eted Iowa FFA Degrees in- tral District officer team agriculture sales CDE clude: Macy Evans, Mattie and coordinate the South earned a bronze emblem, Wheeler, Morgan Shawl- Central District convenmembers participating er, Logan Pettit, Olivia tion. The chapter is excited included: Tristan Tra- Hartman, Maddie Travis, to see one of our members vis, Hank Looney, Trev- Cali Foglesong, Trevor be elected to such a prestior Kinyon and Seth Stein- Marlin, and Will Gordon. gious office.

All Creston FFA membach. The chapter display earned a bronze em- bers participated in the blem; Kayla Luther, Iowa FFA’s state philanAlexis Baker, and Kel- thropy project while attendsi Kautz created this year’s ing the convention. Meals state chapter display. from the Heartland set up Creston FFA junior packaging tables on the member, Olivia Hartman floor of Hilton Coliseum, was selected as a mem- where thousands of FFA ber in the 2016 Iowa FFA members packaged over band. Olivia was selected 204,000 meals to give to the through an application food insecure. Such meals process that required rec- will be shipped throughout ommendations from her the world and domestically school band instructor. to aid in fighting the global Once selected Olivia re- food insecurity epidemic. ceived her performance Other member inmusic she practiced at volvement saw Darhome, at convention the rian Fischer and Oliv-

Twenty-four Creston FFA members participated in the 88th annual Iowa FFA Association State Leadership Conference held on the Iowa State University Campus in Ames, Iowa, April 18th and 19th. Members participated in contests, attended leadership workshops, and accept chapter and individual awards. The Creston FFA Chapter was again recognized as an outstanding chapter by receiving the Supreme National Chapter Award.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 7c

South Central FFA District Career Development Event Hosts 781 Members Tuesday, September 20th, was the South Central District FFA Career Development Events, hosted by the Creston and Wayne-Corydon FFA. Together the hosted the two chapters making this multi faceted agricultural assessment for the South Central FFA District available to 781 members from 34 different chapters. Members gathered at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in

Osceola to participate in 7 different events – livestock evaluation, horse evaluation, dairy foods evaluation, farm business management exam, junior quiz, senior quiz, veterinary science, and agronomy.

Career Development Events (CDE) provides opportunities for FFA members to apply their knowledge and skill attained in the classroom to situations that

bers.” Dan May, WayneCorydon FFA Chapter Advisor, added “We began this CDE day three years ago, at our first event we host just over 200 members and now we have grown to nearly 800 members participating!

Due to great participation from the chapters in our district, it was agreed upon by advisors last summer to make the Fall CDE Day the district event for our area.”

Creston FFA members participated in novice and advanced livestock evaluation as well as novice horse evaluation, advanced horse evaluation and veterinary science.

Our members ranged from young people with a wealth of experience to those who have just began their FFA membership.

Creston FFA CDE results are as follows: Advanced Livestock placed 4th out of 29 teams (team: Macy Evans, Will Gordon, Hank Looney, Kaden Wilson); Novice Livestock 1 placed 48th out of 77 teams (team: Hayden Green, Allivea Skarda, Brant Looney, Paul Johnston); Novice Livestock 2 placed 44th out of 77 teams (team: Sam Chapman, Cole Smith, Gavin Gillam, Brayton Chesnut); Advanced Horse Kelsey Watson placed 18th out of 41 individuals; Novice Fall CDE group: It takes many members to judge in multiple events but it takes even more when you are co-spon- Horse Logan Pettit placed soring the event. Members pictured either participated in contests or assisted in helping with the contests or provided 16th out of 105 individuals; require evaluation and reasoning. CDEs are designed to test members’ agricultural abilities that are pertinent for securing agricultural careers. The goals of the CDE event held in the South Central District included: motivate students to learn and practice techniques of modern agriculture; evaluate student’s abilities to selection, decision making, and communication; parallel

classroom lessons to similar real-life situations faced by producers and agricultural professionals; practice proficiency in communicating using industry terminology.

Creston FFA Advisor, Kelsey Bailey, said “There is a need in our area to provide a venue such as the fall CDE day to get our new members interested in the contests as well challenge the skills of our older mem-

Veterinary Science placed 13th out of 35 teams (team: Eli Hartman, Kaylan McClellan, and Haley Jones).

To host an event of this magnitude takes a village.

Parents, parents of teachers, alumni, teachers themselves, students, organizations, and others that care about the FFA and it’s members worked together by securing livestock, assist with meal preparation, serve as group leaders, assistance in transporting members to contest locations, working in the scoring room, and serving as officials all were duties of such volunteers.

Volunteers provided the manpower while organizations such as Farm Bureau offered financial assistance.

Many Farm Bureau groups from the south central district contributed to the 2016 Fall CDE event including: Clarke, Union, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, Warren, and Marion Counties. Such contributions went to provide FFA members with top 3 individual and top 3 teams plaques for each contest as well as top 5 ribbons for individuals and teams in each contest.

From the Creston FFA and Wayne-Corydon FFA Chapters we thank all who made the day possible for the FFA members of Iowa’s South Central FFA District.

animals. Members include: (row 1) Mattie Wheeler, Kayla Luther, Macy Evans, Kelsey Watson, and Allivea Skarda; (row 2) Brayton Chesnut, Kaylan McClellan, Haley Jones, Logan Pettit, Eli Hartman, Hank Looney, Cole Smith, Devon Buls, Will Gordon, Gavin Gillam, Hayden Green, Sam Chapman, Paul Johnston, and Brant Looney.

Thank you Creston FFA Chapter for making Creston a great place to live and call home.

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Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

“Transform” marked the 89th National FFA Convention Will Gordon, Nathan Pudenz, Seth Steinbach, Kolten Phelps, Hank Looney, Mattie Wheeler, Macy Evans, Morgan Shawler, Logan Pettit, Paige Parsons, Kayla Luther, Taylor Sorrells, Laura Weis, Devon Buls, Ellie Starlin and Danika Schultes know firsthand why “Transform” was the theme for the 89th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The convention’s theme symbolized the agricultural education organization’s mission to spark the passion and purpose to prepare students for success throughout their lives. More than 66,000 FFA members, advisors, supporters, and guests were

in attendance at the annual convention held October 19th through the 22nd.

The Creston FFA Chapter again was recognized as a Supreme chapter and ranked in the 25 top chapter in the state of Iowa for its outstanding efforts in promoting and working toward the development of its members, chapter, and community by developing individual and cooperative activities that enhanced its members’ life skills; promoting its ability to develop a positive image, and interaction with support groups through cooperative and organized activities; and its developed community partnership in improving eco-

nomic, environmental and human resources.

The chapter stressed the development of its members, chapter, and community through a wide variety of projects. During the past school year the chapter conducted locally, attended leadership workshops and conventions, participated in over a dozen judging events, and had members compete in contests above the local level.

Chapter activities Make Creston Green, and Christmas holiday activities have been identified as programs assisting in Creston FFA’s success in being recognized as one of Iowa’s top 25 chapters. It’s Christmas

counselors in conducting a “Red Ribbon Week” Drug Safety Awareness program for the school’s elementary students.

Future education and career exploration is a key component of the convention. Students attending visited hundreds of exhibitors that provided information about educational and career possibilities held at the concurrent National FFA Alumni Convention and the National Agricultural Career Show. In addition to Convention highlights, members also embarked on a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. Most people do not think of the animal science principles zookeepers need to have in order to operate a zoo. Veterinarians, nutritionists, behavior specialists, education specialists and general caretakers are all careers available at the zoo. For many of us on the trip, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first opportunity to see dolphin trainers in action when we attended the dolphin show at the aquatic center.

The last day of the National FFA Convention was celebrated by awarding FFA members from across the nation with the American FFA Degree.

The American FFA DeCreston FFA members pictured outside of the FFA Career Center while attending the 89th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN. Members are: (front) Kayla Luther, Paige Parsons, Mattie Wheeler, Macy Evans, Taylor gree is the highest honor an Sorrells, Ellie Starlin; (middle row) Logan Pettit, Danika Schultes, Morgan Shawler, Laura Weis; (back row) Hank FFA member can earn in holiday activities, including the CHS student body, involved purchasing presents for children, the collection of toys, and canned goods.

The canned goods and toys were given to the community pantry for distribution during the holiday season.

During the past school year, the chapter conducted a number of safety activities involving hundreds of area youth. Safety programs included its annual Bicycle Safety Program and rodeo where helmets were provided to participating youth as well as Hunter Safety and Halloween Safety program presentations were presented. The chapter also assisted with elementary

Looney, Nathan Pudenz, Will Gordan, Seth Steinbach, Kolten Phelps, Devon Buls, and advisor Kelsey Bailey.

Proud To Support Our FFA Youth!

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our great organization. To receive the American FFA Degree members must meet the following requirements: 1) received their state degree and have been an FFA member for 3 consecutive years and has participated in activities at and beyond the chapter level, 2) satisfactorily complete a secondary agriculture education program, 3) have graduated from high school 12 months prior to the national convention in which the degree will be awarded, 4) have in operation and have sustained records for their SAE, 5) earned at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 OR earned and productivity invested $2,000 and have worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time, 6) Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent, 7) Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. This year Creston FFA member Brooke Thelen earned and received her American FFA Degree a the 89th Nation FFA Convention.

Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 9c

Agriculture in the Classroom

Creston FFA Trapshooting Teams

Many of FFA members’ supervised agricultural experience (SAE) consist of livestock, crops, or working in an agriculturally related field, part of their responsibilities as FFA members is to share that knowledge with others. Agriculture in the classroom provides opportunity for FFA members to share such knowledge. This year, Creston has been taking agriculture lessons to the Creston Middle School.

“It is important to get young people exposed to agriculture because many of them are not from the farm,” senior, Macy Evans explains. “I feel it is my responsibility as a FFA member to share what we know about agriculture and teach it to the children, it might just get them excited about studying agriculture and who knows, even have a career in ag.” Macy plans to study agriculture education in college.

Each quarter, the chapter’s agriculture literacy committee meets to plan activities

Creston participates in a fall trapshooting competition sponsored by the Indianola FFA Chapter held at the Izaak Walton League. Members on this team practice throughout the year to prepare for this

for the middle school classes. Members use FFA career development events as a model for activities to share with the students. “We have set up a round robin lesson where we take 8 different career development events, ranging from dairy foods to landscaping, have the 8th grade students try solving problems like FFA members would in a contest – I think they have fun with this activity” says junior, Paige Parsons. Trevor Marlin adds, “We hope that our activities will interest the 8th grade students and that they will take ag classes and become FFA members – if they don’t we hope that they learned how important agriculture is for life.”

Agriculture in the classroom is important for the tradition of agriculture in the state of Iowa. Creston FFA will continue to develop and conduct activities to teach more students in our community about the importance of agriculture.

event, perfecting their marksmanship.

Shooting sports promotes responsible use of equipment and teaches a life skill that can be enjoyed for many years.

Creston FFA Shooting Sports Team are pictured: Brant Looney, Hank Looney, Trevor Kinyon, Tristan Travis, Trevor Marlin, Cade Vicker, (chaperone) Chad Lamb, Will Gordon, Dakota Burgmaier, and Tom Steinbach.

Creston Middle School 8th grade students are pictured testing their knowledge in a FFA dairy foods career development event. Creston FFA has been taking agriculture and FFA lessons to 8th grade students this year promoting agriculture and agriculture education.

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Page 10c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Local Chapter History Vocational Agriculture, now called ASTM (Agriculture Science, Technology & Marketing) began in 1917 when Congress passed the Smith Hughes Act and in 1928 the FFA organization was established.

It was not until 1951 that the FFA became a part of the Creston Community School system.

From its inception the Creston FFA Chapter has grown. Initially the program was located in a small room at the old high school, but by 1969 the enrollment of 58 students had outgrown its small facility. That year the ground was broken for a new facility on the corner of Swan and Pine streets.

Evert C. Hunsicker was the instructor at that time.

After Hunsicker’s retirement in 1977, Galen R. Zumbach became the sixth FFA advisor to work in the Creston Community School System until his retirement in 2010. Kelsey Bailey became the seventh FFA Advisor to head the Creston FFA program when she began her duties in the 2010-11 school year. Today the Creston FFA membership has become one of the top programs in the state of Iowa and the nation with a membership of 92 students.

The Creston FFA Chapter was recognized nationally for thirteen years in Building Our American Communities winning state

and national competition in 1993 and state competition in 1994. After twenty-three years the BOAC program was discontinued in 1995.

During the past sixteen years the Creston FFA Chapter has been recognized as one of the nation’s top programs in the FFA’s National Chapter Award Program competition.

Since 1986 the Creston FFA membership won state competition in the National Chapter Safety Award Program six times (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996).

The Safety program was discontinued in 1996. Both BOAC and Safety are now part of the new National Chapter Award program.

The Creston FFA Chapter was the only Iowa chapter to be recognized in all three national chapter award programs areas (BOAC, Safety, National Chapter) from 1985 to 1995. These accomplishments led to the Creston FFA Chapter being named Iowa’s top FFA Chapter in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1995, in what was then called Triple Crown competition, and as Iowa’s Supreme FFA Chapter in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2006 in the new National Chapter Award Program competition. In 1996 the Creston FFA Chapter was only one of three chapters in the nation to be a top ten finalist in all three national chapter award areas (chapter

development, student development and community development) being selected as the nation’s best in community development.

In 1997 and 1998 the chapter was named a finalist in two of the national chapter award competition areas (Community Development and Chapter Development) winning in the area of Community Development for a second and third time.

The local Chapter is the only chapter in the nation to win three national chapter award competitions. In 1999 and 2003 the chapter was named a national merit finalist in Community Development, and Chapter Development, winning the community development award on the state level in 1999. Nine times in the past fifteen years the local chapter has been named a state winner in one of the five chapter areas (Economic, Environment, Human Resources, Agricultural Awareness) found in the National Chapter Award Program.

The Community Development Recognition Program was created in 2004 to recognize those programs in the state that most impact their communities in the following area: (1) Economic, (2) Environment, (3) Human Resources, and (4) Agricultural Awareness. The Creston FFA Program has won the over-

all state CDRP competitions in 2007 and 2010. In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 the local chapter was named a winner in the areas of either environmental or economic development on the state level.

Since 1977, 221 chapter members have received State FFA degrees. Prior to 1977 four chapter members received this coveted honor. Terry Taylor was the first member to receive this honor in 1961 followed

by James Jones in 1962, Raymond Wilson in 1965, and John Wolfe in 1971.

Raymond Wilson and his son Chris and daughter Erin were the first and only father, son, daughter combinations to receive their state FFA degrees. Chris received his degree in 1988 while Erin received her degree in 1992.

Other chapter members who received their state FFA degrees since 1977 were David Brown, 1979; Dan Hawks, and Larry Bailey, 1980; Dennis Leith (Star South Central District-production), 1981; Brad Anderson, Joe Moore, Mick Pettit, and Kevin Moulin, 1982; Roger Baker, Lori Hartsook, Kevin Eblen, Dean Leith, and Ron Skarda, 1983; Steve Weese, Tim Loudon, Steve Rhine, Thane Glynn, and Alan Weisshaar, 1984; Greg Ehm, Scott Pettit, and

Rick Quam, 1985; Tony Clem, Chuck Denton (Star South Central District-agribusiness), Doug Fils, Brian Priest, and Ken Kline, 1986; Eddie Ide, Kara Frey, and Tom Woodard (Star South Central DistrictAgribusiness and Star Iowa Agribusinessman) 1987; Brian Smith, Sherry Sammons, Sean Dunphy, John Taylor, and Chris Wilson, 1988; Jodi Western, Scott Finn, and Kirk Francis, 1989; Alan Bennett, Derek Mohr (Star South Central District-production), Matt Johnson, Rob Evans, and Shawn Kline, 1990; Erin Wilson, 1992; Ryan Mohr, Rod West, Ben Adamson, Andy Johnson, Matt Moberg, and T.J. Dunphy, 1993; Rick Reeve, Brad James, Jan James, Darren Long (Star South Central District Farmer), Jamie Travis, 1994; Brook Linderman, Chad Rieck, Melissa Baker, Brad Van Gelder, Nathan Pottinger, Ann Moberg, Michelle Saville and Shamus Stephens in 1995; Scott Evans, and Jake Tripp, 1996; John Paul Pokorny, Clint Travis, Amanda James, Clint Brown, Cody Purdum, Trista Ide, Kory Tanner in 1997, and Corey Bailey, Josh Sevier, Philip Moberg, Clint Hoffman, Meredith Baker, Mike Taylor, Curtis Hoakison, and Mandy Travis in 1998; Carly Hoffman, Caleb Hoakison, Nathan Stud-

er, Levi Buxton, Charlie Tripp, Jeremy Ide, Nathaniel Jackson, Brian Bolton, Adam Travis, Logan Jackson, 1999; Jill Tussey, Dusty Brown, Rachel Bolton, Aaron Hoyt, Janelle Buxton, Josie Stephens, Matt McNichols, Trina White, Brad Crill, Casey Purdum, Chad Ide, Cody Waltersdorf; 2000; Adrian Richardson, Francine Jackson, Derek Quam, Travis Eggman, Kashia Studer, Blair Taylor, Alyssa Franklin, Clint Travis, Matt Raemaker, Nathan Katzer, Kelsey Hoakison, Cody Bailey and Matt Buck, 2001; Cody Bailey, Nathan Katzer, Cole Miller, Cody Frey, Mike Hilger, Cory Hoakison, Lindsay Loomis, Mallory Travis, Nick Tussey, Taften Kuhl, Kevin Lents, 2002; Jeff Baker (Star Iowa Agribusiness Degree Finalist) Mike Baker, Dan Martwick, Nick Schultz, Tyler Mahan, Sam Aleto, Michael Buck, David Schroder, Jordan Kralik, Ashley Studer, Chris Downing, Tim Jennett, Luke Baker, Matt Ramaeker , 2003; Sam Johnson, Jacque Jay, Megan Brown, Jim Ide, 2004; Austin Studer, Andy Jennett, Ashley Hartsook, Laura Baker, Heidi Ramaeker, Brooke Peppmeier, Austin Berry, Justin Linderman, Jacob Schierbaum, Adam Leith, Sam Katzer, Damian Richardson, Tyler Wolf, 2005; Curtiss Bird,

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History Continued from Page 10 Eric Bradley, Caleb Brus, Judd Goldsmith, Jenny Hagen, Michael Hyde, Emily Ide, Jason Lents, Tyrell Miller, Steven Moeller, Steve Myers, Keith Peterson, Nicole Stoll, Cameron Weeda, Ben Weis, 2006; Alex Johnson, Kyle Thelen, Casey Frey, Jacob McGehee, Cody Pearson, Sarah Studer, Candace Weeda, Quin Leith, Jared Johnson, Tyler Harris, Adam Riley, Josh Maitlen, Abby Kinyon, Doug North., and Kyle Thelen (Star Ag Placement Finalist) 2007; Liz Beatty, Brandon Frey, Peyton Glynn, Rachel Griffith, Brian Katzer, Zac Leith, Pete Myers, Ayla Peppmeier, Todd Ramaeker, Daniel Riley, Alec Smith, Maggie Thelen, Nathan Vicker, Grant Wood, 2008; Colton Dunphy (Star Agribusiness Placement) Frances Myers, Ethan Harris, Seth Pals, Tyler Pettit, Kevin Irr, Spencer Bakerink, Mackenzie Pearson, Donovan Richardson, and T’Lee Ray, 2009; Isaac Sedlmayr, Brian West, Sarah Jennett, Chase Blazek, Haley Stalcup, Ashley Peters, Klint Craft, Chelsea Ekeler, and Alec Paup, 2010; Brad Weis, Allison Wood, Mallory Griffith in 2011; Zach Powers, Theo Hartman, and Lanae Ramaeker in 2012; Adam Baker, Lane Miller, Zack Peppmeier, Jeremy Stoll, Cooper Bailey, Taylor Rice, Zaidy Frank, and

John Gravlin in 2013; Darin Hatfield, Chad Lamb, Gavin Leith, Jake Miller, Bryce Briley, Brooke Thelen, Savannah Hartman, Madison Skarda, Jacob Powers, Kyle Jennett, Ashley Harris, and Tyler Waddingham in 2014; Gracie Russell, Emily Gravlin, Caitlin McIlravy, Rebecca Watson, Zach Hoffman, Wyatt Thompson, and Darian Fischer; Mattie Wheeler, Macy Evans, Morgan Shawler, Logan Pettit, Olivia Hartman, Will Gordon, and Trevor Marlin in 2016.

Just as the State FFA degree is a good indication of outstanding individual programs, sixty-four members have gone one step further when they received the American FFA degree.

This degree is the highest honor the National FFA organization can bestow on one of its members. Creston FFA members who have received this coveted degree are Dennis Leith, 1984; Kevin Eblen, 1986; Chuck Denton, 1987; Ken Kline and Brian Priest, 1988; Tom Woodard, Chris Wilson, 1989; Jodi Western, 1991; Alan Bennett, 1992; Erin Wilson, 1994; Ryan Mohr, Darren Long, 1995; Shamus Stephens, Michelle Saville, Ann Moberg, 1997; Clint Brown, Trista Ide, Cody Purdum, 1999; Mike Taylor, Nathan Studer, Philip Moberg, Nathaniel Jackson, and Cory Bailey;

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2000; Cory Hoakison, 2001; Francine Jackson, Dusty Brown, Chad Ide, 2002; Derek Quam, 2003; Cody Bailey, Nathan Katzer, Kevin Lents, Lindsay Loomis, Cody Frey, Jeff Baker, Cole Miller, Michael Hilger, 2004; Tim Jennett, Luke Baker 2005; Megan Brown, Jimmy Ide, and Sam Johnson, 2006; Austin Studer, Brooke Peppmeier, Andy Jennett, Justin Linderman, Laura Baker, Heidi Ramaeker, and Sam Katzer, 2007; Jason Lents, Pete Myers, Cameron Weeda, Kyle Thelen, and Tyrell Miller, 2008; Quinn Leith, and Candace Weeda, 2009; Brian Katzer, Liz Beatty, Todd Ramaeker, Zac Leith, Ayla Peppmeier, and Maggie Thelen in 2010; Ethan Harris and Tyler Pettit in 2011: Haley Stalcup and Alec Paup in 2012; and Zach Powers in 2014; Lane Miller and Zack Peppmeier in 2015; Brooke Thelen 2016.

The Creston FFA Chapter has also been fortunate enough to have twentythree members hold several offices above the local level with four members serving on either the state or national levels. Kevin Eblen was named National FFA President in 1986-87 after serving the Iowa FFA Association as Secretary and President in 1984-85 and 1986-86 respectively.

Brian Priest served the State FFA Asso-

ciation as Vice President in 1987-88. Erin Wilson and Jan James represented the Iowa FFA Association as Reporters in 1993-94, and 1994-95 respectively. Ann Moberg served the Iowa FFA Association in 199697 as State FFA Reporter; Zach Hoffman serving as the Iowa FFA Association in 2016-2017 as the State South Central District Vice President.

Dan Hawks became the first member to serve above the local level when in 1980 he served the South Central District as treasurer.

Other members to serve on the district level were Steve Sedam and Brad Anderson who served as District Reporters in 1981 and 1982 respectively; Kevin Eblen, District Reporter -1983 and District Vice President 1984; Brian Priest, District Reporter - 1985; Kara Frey, District Secretary - 1986; Sherry Sammons, District Reporter - 1987; Alan Bennett, District Sentinel - 1988; Alan Bennett and Scott Finn, District Treasurer and District Secretary respectively - 1989; Rachel Kneedler, District Reporter - 1991; Erin Wilson, District Treasurer - 1992; Ryan Mohr, and Erin Wilson served as District Treasurer, and District Reporter respectively in 1993; Dirk Glynn, District Treasurer, and Jenni Wernli, District Sentinel - 1994, Amanda

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James, District Reporter-1996, Mike Taylor, was elected District Secretary in 1997, and S.C. District Vice President in 1998; Caleb Hoakison, District Sentinel, 2000; Megan Brown District Sentinel in 2004, and Donovan Richardson, District Treasurer in 2009.

Since 1977, 262 members have participated in the state FFA leadership speaking contest areas with fifteen contest state winners. They were Kevin Eblen, Tim Loudon and Rick Quam, Program of Activities - 1984; Greg Ehm, Mike Gilman, and Kevin Johnston, Program of Activities - 1985; Mark Swift, Brian Priest, and Tom Woodard, Program of Activities - 1986; Doug Fils, Extemporaneous Speaking - 1986; Sean Dunphy, Public Speaking - 1987; Derek Mohr, Alan Bennett, and Kirk Francis, Program of Activities - 1989; Scott Finn, Public Speaking - 1989; Kari Van Gelder, Loretta Harvey and Matt Johnson, Program of Activities - 1991; Erin Wilson, Jan James and Kory Borcherding, Program of Activities - 1992; Wesley James, Extemporaneous Speaking, 1992; Jan James, Public Speaking - 1994; Chad Rieck, Lonny Miller and Nathan Pottinger, Program of Activities, 1994; Hilaree Freml, D.D. Moffitt, and Heidi Calvin, Pro-

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gram of Activities, 2000; Nicole Stoll, Andy Jennett and Laura Baker, Program of Activities in 2006, and Donovan Richardson in the Freshmen Creed contest in 2007; Haley Stalcup, Job Interview in 2011; Brooke Thelen, Public Speaking 2013; Maddie Travis, Radio Broadcasting in 2014: Paige Parsons Creed Speaking 2015; Macy Evans, Mattie Wheeler, Morgan Shawler, Logan Pettit, Caitlin McIlravy Parliamentary Procedures in 2016; Taylor Sorrells, Paige Parsons, and Jordan Moreland Chapter Program in 2016.

Jan James won the 1995 Central Regional Public Speaking competition and placed second nationally.

Eleven members have finished second in State Public Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Radio Broadcasting, Program of Activities team, and Freshmen Creed Speaking competitions. They were Kevin McGlothlen in 1981, Kevin Eblen in 1983, Tim Loudon in 1985, Alan Bennett (Public Speaking), Scott Finn (Extemporaneous Speaking) in 1990; Erin Wilson (Public Speaking) in 1993, Gerry Miller (Creed Speaking) in 2002, Sam Johnson in Radio Broadcasting and Megan Brown, Jacque Jay, and Patrick Walsh (POA) in 2005, and Jason Lents, Nicole Stoll and Eric Bradley (POA) in 2007,

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Page 12c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Creston FFA Members Exhibit Des Moines, Iowa – Nine Creston FFA members exhibited top quality livestock and animals at the 2016 Iowa State Fair and 2 members served the fair as grandstand ushers. For many, the Iowa State Fair is an annual tradition, maybe a day trip or for the real fair enthusiast the whole 10 days! For Creston FFA members, the Iowa State Fair is much more and opportunities the fair provides are life changing.

Selecting, raising, and exhibiting livestock is a tradition that runs deep in our rural communities and that holds true for many of Creston FFA’s members as they raise and show livestock as their FFA supervised agriculture experience (SAE).

Macy Evans, Zack Peppmeier, and Cali Foglesong all exhibited hogs at the 2016 Iowa State Fair. Each member has taken responsibility in raising his/her pigs from the spring up until the targeted exhibition date. Zack and Cali both own sows and raise some or all of the pigs that they exhibit. Macy Evans reflects on her first experience exhibiting pigs at the Iowa State Fair “Showing at the Iowa State Fair was a way to reconnect with old FFA friends and meet so many new peoples that have the same passion as I do exhibiting pigs! It was great being part of a supportive

groups that worked together to make our time successful.� Zack Peppmeier, an out of school FFA member shares why he continues to show FFA hogs at the Iowa State Fair “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my passion for showing hogs even after graduating high school. It provides me with connection to people with similar love for the hog industry. Just this year I met so many people hoping to enter the industry as well as being able to reconnect with people I met in previous years of showing. The experience also allows graduates to pass on our experiences and learned skills to benefit beginning FFA members.�

Results from the 2016 Iowa State Fair swine shows for Creston FFA members are: Macy Evans – 6th purple commercial gilt and purple for market barrow; Cali Foglesong – Champion Hampshire market gilt, reserve champion all other breed market gilt, 3rd purple Landrace gilt, 8th purple Yorkshire, and blue for her commercial gilt; Zack Peppmeier – purples for his market gilt and market barrow, 6th and 7th blues for derby barrows, and blue for his commercial gilt.

Dalten Bierle received top honors with his purebred Suffolk breeding ewe at the Iowa State Fair, earning the Best of Show Suffolk ewe

and was highlighted in the Iowa FFA Parade of Champions. Dalten has been involved in raising sheep all of his life; raising sheep is his passion where he continually looks to improve genetics and raise superior lambs.

Results from the 2016 Iowa State Fair sheep show for Creston FFA member Dalten Bierle are: market lambs – red ribbon placing; breeding ewes – Champion and reserve champion Suffolk ewes, Best of Show Suffolk ewe and blue for his commercial breeding ewe.

Mattie Wheeler, Creston FFA president, began her market goat enterprise as a freshman. Through the years she has enhanced her abilities in selecting breeding stock to build her own herd of Borer goats. Mattie’s experience in taking responsibility of building her SAE through FFA is an excellent example of how SAE projects teach young people how to make decisions, take responsibility, and to set and achieve goals.

Results from the 2016 Iowa State Fair meat goat show for Creston FFA member Mattie Wheeler are: 5th place blue market wether; breeding goats – first and second place aged doe and 6th place spring doe.

Fair is another feat. Creston FFA members Jessica Beatty, Tiffany Beatty, and Lane Miller exhibited horses at the Iowa State Fair in many disciplines. Each of these members has rode horses from a very young age and have taken it upon themselves to advance in skill to become outstanding equestrians. The Iowa State Fair FFA horse show is a large show and is an awesome demonstration of horsemanship skill. Results from the Iowa State Fair horse show for Creston FFA members are: Jessica Beatty – placed 5th out of 44 halter mares, and received blues in western pleasure, bareback pleasure, and speed events; Tiffany Beatty – placed 7th out of 36 halter geldings and received blues in western pleasure, bareback pleasure, and speed events; Lane Miller – top 10 in hunt seat equitation, 6th junior western pleasure, and earned a blue in hunter under saddle.

Tyler Waddingham, one of Creston FFA’s out of school members exhibited rabbits at the Iowa State Fair. Similar to other members, Tyler began his rabbitry as part of his SAE program while in high school.

Tyler has exhibited a variety of rabbit breeds and has been successful in raising Riding a horse is one rabbits from breeding stock thing but to train a horse to as well. Results from the compete at the Iowa State 2016 Iowa State Fair rab-

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B

bit show for Creston FFA member Tyler Waddingham are: Champion All Other Breeds and blue for best of 4.

Juniors, Paige Parsons and Kayla Luther served as FFA grandstand ushers at the Iowa State Fair. Members serving as grandstand ushers spend the entire 10 days of the fair assisting where needed during the day and at night they are responsible for seating people and assist in maintaining order at all of the grandstand events.

This adventure proved to be a learning experience that they greatly value. Paige Parsons shares about her experience “Being an FFA grandstand usher was an amazing experience! This was the first time that I have done something without the chapter; it was one of the best decisions I have made. I made many life long friends, took on new responsibilities, delegate tasks all in which have made me a stronger leader.

I would recommend to other FFA members to take the opportunity to be a grandstand usher.�

Whether it is livestock, ushering or just the chance to learn something new, the Iowa State Fair is a place were Creston FFA members grow as people and make lasting memories.

Kayla Luther served as an Iowa State Fair grandstand usher for FFA. Grandstand ushers have many duties while at the fair including volunteering at FFA activities and events when they are not busy helping people find their seats at a grandstand event. Kayla is pictured in FFA scrubs while volunteering at the Knapp Animal Learning Center. The Southeast Polk FFA chapter manages the animal displays that are housed in the animal learning center.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 13c

2016 marked the first year for Macy Evans, Creston FFA’s chapter vice president to exhibit hogs at the Iowa State Fair FFA swine show.

Macy is pictured driving her 6th place purple ribbon market hog.

Cali Fogelsong, Creston FFA senior member, takes time to pose with her Champion Hampshire market gilt at the 2016 Iowa State Fair. Cali shows the pigs that are raised from her swineherd that is her FFA Supervised Agriculture Experience.

Zack Peppmeier, out of school Creston FFA member, continues to show pigs at the Iowa State Fair.

Zack values the opportunity FFA provides to continue his passion for raising and showing pigs, he feels it brings him closer to the industry and allows for him to mentor younger members. Zack is pictured exhibiting his market gilt.

Dalten Bierle, Creston FFA junior member, has been raising sheep for a long time. Dalten raises both crossbred and purebred Suffolk sheep.

At the 2016 Iowa State Fair FFA sheep show, Dalten earned the Best in Show for the Suffolk breed and was highlighted in the FFA parade of Champions that was aired on IPTV.

Jessica Beatty, senior FFA member, had a successful Iowa State Fair. Jessica is pictured exhibiting her halter mare where she placed 5th out of 44 mares in the class. Tiffany Beatty, an out of school FFA member is pictured with her gelding that placed 7th out of 36 geldings at the 2016 Iowa State Fair.

Mattie Wheeler, Creston FFA president, is pictured receiving her first and second place ribbons for her aged borer goat breeding does.

Tyler Waddingham, out of school Creston FFA member, has had many successful years exhibiting rabbits at the Iowa State Fair. This year Tyler exhibited the champion all other breeds rabbit.

Pictured left are Paige Parsons and Kayla Luther volunteering at the Iowa FFA Foundation building where they assisted in helping raise money for the Foundation by selling collector toy tractors and prints. Volunteering in the Iowa FFA Foundation building was one of the many duties the girls had while serving as an FFA Iowa State Fair grandstand usher.

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Page 14c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

2017 FFA Senior Salutes Dakota Burgmaier Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Agriculture Business

Logan Pettit Future Plans: Attend Simpson College for Physical Therapy

Ian Burns Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Crop Production

Morgan Shawler Future Plans: Attend ISU for Kinesiology and Health

Macy Evans Future Plans: Attend ISU for Agriculture Education

Thomas Steinbach Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Automotive Degree

Cali Foglesong Future Plans: Attend Graceland University for Education

Cody Tanner Future Plans: Attend NWMSU for Agriculture Business

Will Gordon Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Agriculture Business

Matilyn Wheeler Future Plans: Attend ISU for Animal Science/ Pre-Vet Medicine

Trevor Marlin Future Plans: Attend Graceland University for Agriculture Business

Kaden Wilson Future Plans: Attend DMACC for Agriculture Business

Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 15c

Page 14c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

2017 FFA Senior Salutes Dakota Burgmaier Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Agriculture Business

Logan Pettit Future Plans: Attend Simpson College for Physical Therapy

Ian Burns Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Crop Production

Morgan Shawler Future Plans: Attend ISU for Kinesiology and Health

Macy Evans Future Plans: Attend ISU for Agriculture Education

Thomas Steinbach Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Automotive Degree

Cali Foglesong Future Plans: Attend Graceland University for Education

Cody Tanner Future Plans: Attend NWMSU for Agriculture Business

Will Gordon Future Plans: Attend SWCC for Agriculture Business

Matilyn Wheeler Future Plans: Attend ISU for Animal Science/ Pre-Vet Medicine

Trevor Marlin Future Plans: Attend Graceland University for Agriculture Business

Kaden Wilson Future Plans: Attend DMACC for Agriculture Business

Page 16c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Ready, Set, Pull Hosting pedal pulls for children is a fun tradition for the Creston FFA Chapter.

From the county fair to Creston Balloon Days and finally the Creston PTO carnival in the fall, we bring fun while also getting a little bit of agriculture before the eyes of our little people.

“Pedal pulls are one of my favorite FFA activities, “ said junior, Nathan Pudenz. He goes on to say “the kids try so hard, you can see the determination in their faces, all for some candy and maybe a toy tractor for a

FFA Fruit Sales prize – it really is fun to watch and cheer on the little kids.”

Creston FFA Chapter president, Mattie Wheeler recognizes the potential members the pedal pulls provide, “anytime we have a pedal pull we wear our Creston FFA tshirts. We want the children and parents to know who we are and what we do. It is a way for us to recruit members some day, as we all can remember when we took our turn on the pedal tractor.”

A long time tradition for the Creston FFA chapter and many chapters across the United States is the annual fruit and cheese sales in the fall. Over half of our membership participated in fruit sales. These sales support our chapter programming throughout the entire year. Supporters of our fruit sales assist our members in pay-

ing entry fees for contests and the purchase of supplies needed for conducting chapter activities. Creston FFA partners with Creston Hy-Vee and Fareway Food Store for our fruit inventory and partners with Harmison’s Hometown Fundraising for our cookie dough, candies, and cheese items.

FFA Faculty Breakfast Served Saying thank you is not always enough, that is why the Creston FFA Chapter holds an annual faculty breakfast at Creston High School. Member appreciate the time each teacher invests in the students at CCHS and are also appreciative of their continued support of Creston FFA Activities.

Newly elected and retired Creston FFA

Chapter officers catered a morning breakfast to approximately 30 Creston high school staff. The breakfast was served in the home economics room. Members provided breakfast casseroles and pizza, muffins and breads, fruit, milk, coffee, and juice. The breakfast is a celebration of a successful year for teachers and students.

Creston FFA helps with the Balloon Day’s annual kiddie pedal pull at the Creston Airport.

Our participation is an excellent way to support young children and in a small way promote agriculture to children at a young age.

Creston Community High School faculty enjoyed a breakfast provided by Creston FFA newly elected and retiring officers.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 17c

Did You Know – It’s National FFA Week February 18th thru 25th Each year, FFA chapters around the country celebrate National FFA Week.

The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. The first National FFA Week was held in 1948. Today, FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, Washington’s birthday.

National FFA Week did not start out as a week-long event. At first it was National FFA Day. The 1933 National FFA Convention Proceedings records the beginning of FFA Day in this way: “Stewart of Montana requested the floor at this time to present a matter of general interest. He suggested the idea of having a special Future Farmer Day some time during 1934, preferably on one of the regular national FFA broadcasting days. It was pointed out that the various state associations could perhaps plan special state broadcasts also on that day and that chapters might plan their father and son banquets on the date specified. The idea seemed to meet with general delegate approval and after some discussion it

was moved by Stewart that the Board of Trustees arrange for such a day; motion passed.”

Creston FFA plans theme days to celebrate national FFA week. Monday, member will wear their FFA camo; Tuesday, is sub-district contest at West Central Valley High School; Wednesday is drive your tractor to school; Thursday PANCAKE FEED, Chris Cakes will serve all you can eat pancakes February 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the High School Commons, come and eat all the pancakes you can for $5, proceeds will be donated to the Union County Fair Building Project Fund; Friday is flannel Friday!

Friday is Flannel Friday! Last year many members participated in this fun and casual day. Pictured are (front) Alexis Baker, Macy Evans, Mattie Wheeler, Logan Pettit, Maddie Travis; (back) Seth Steinbach, Dakota Burgmaier, Tom Steinbach, Will Gordon and Mason Kinsella. These members are excited to read about Creston FFA in the newspaper thanks to the one of our great community partners Creston News Advertiser!

To have a successful FFA chapter requires support from the community. Each year KSIB Radio invites Creston FFA to record PSA’s for national FFA week, farm safety week, and agriculture week. Pictured are a couple of our chapter members Maddie Travis, Kayla Luther, and Taylor Sorrells with KSIB Radio general manager, Chad Rieck.

Come and Get Em – PANCAKES! Creston will have Chris Cakes back to flip flap jacks as quick as you can eat them.

The pancake feed is Thursday, February 23, 5-7 p.m. at the Creston Community High School commons. Proceeds from the pancake feed will be donated to the Union County Fair Building Project Fund.

Sporting our casual FFA gear, Creston FFA members whore FFA t-shirts to create a sea of blue at CCHS during national FFA week. Members pictured are: (front) Grace Root, Billie Fogle, and Micha Stephens; (middle) Clarissa Hoffman, Kelsey Watson, Hailey Walter, Shelby Huntsman, and Laura Weis; (back) Hank Looney and Devon Buls

Tuesday of National FFA week has become known as “Drive your tractor to school” day! Members enjoy showing off their farm workhorse – the drive can be fun or miserable, depending on the weather and if you have a cab!

WORK with PRIDE

It takes hard work and dedication to be a farmer. That’s why we’re proud to salute the young men and women of FFA who have committed themselves to continuing this challenging and important profession!

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Page 18c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Creston FFA Honors Members at 65th Annual Awards Banquet

Gracie Russell and Zach Hoffman, Creston FFA senior members were awarded the Kevin Eblen Memorial scholarship; Caitlin McIlravy was awarded the Paul and Verna Bailey Memorial scholarship, senior member and Wyatt Thompson was awarded the Terry Taylor Memorial Scholarship and Paul at Creston FFA’s 65th Annual Parent/Member Banquet held Sunday, May 1, 2015. Russell will pursue a degree in agriculture business at Iowa State University in the fall, McIlravy, Thompson, and Hoffman will continue there education at Southwestern Community College in the fall.

Special Awards: The Chapter’s FFA Pride Award was presented to Shelly Parsons. Shell was cited for her

support of the Creston FFA chapter through her many volunteer hours traveling with the chapter to various conferences and events.

Parsons’s daughter, Paige, is an active member of the Creston FFA Chapter.

Senior member Caitlin McIlravy was named the chapter’s 2015-16 DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award winner. Monsanto gives the annual award to a student that not only has an outstanding SAE program but also exhibits good leadership and citizenship qualities.

The FFA Distinguished Service Award was presented to the Creston Police Department for their involvement in assisting with the chapter’s annual spring bike safety program. The

chapter’s Honorary Chapter FFA Degree was awarded to Steve Schieffer for the effort he puts forth in supporting and assisting the chapter.

Contest Awards: Members receiving contest award pins and plaques in their respective areas were Maddie Travis—Extemporaneous Speaking; Gracie Russell— Job Interview; Kayla Luther – Ag Broadcasting; Jordan Moreland, Paige Parsons and Taylor Sorrells --Program of Activities; Devon Buls – Freshman Creed Speaker; Shelby Huntsman, Grace Root, Laura Weis, Kelsey Watson, Bree Ross, Micha Stephens, Clarissa Hoffman, and Hank Looney – Freshman Conduct of Meetings; Caitlin McIlravy, Macy Evans, Mattie Wheel-

er, Morgan Shawler, and Logan Pettit--Parliamentary Procedures; Shelby Huntsman, Hank Looney, Tessa Powers and Billie Fogle -Freshmen Quiz; Cali Foglesong, Alexis Baker, Kelsi Kautz, and Gavin Sickles Chapter Quiz competition; Seth Steinbach, Will Gordon, Dakota Burgmaier, Brenden McDowell, Trevor Marlin, Ian Burns, and Tom Steinbach – Ag Issues and Perceptions; Laura Weis, Maura Kinsella, Hailey Walter, Kolten Phelps, Billie Fogle, Kelsey Watson, Shelby Huntsman, Hank Looney - Experience the Action; Trevor Marlin, Nathan Pudenz, Ian Burns, Will Gordon –Farm Business Management; Tristan Travis, Hank Looney, Seth Steinbach, Trevor Kinyon –

Creston FFA Chapter held its 65th Annual Awards Banquet on May 1, 2016. Members were presented with leadership, scholarship, membership degrees and outstanding achievement awards at the banquet. Picture is Zach Hoffman presenting the Star Greenhand Awards to new members Hank Looney and Devon Buls.

Team Ag Sales; Macy Evans – Secretary’s book; Mattie Wheeler – Treasurer’s book; Morgan Shalwer and Paige Parsons —Reporter’s Scrapbook; Alexis Baker, Kelsi Kautz, and Kayla Luther – Chapter display; Rebecca Watson, Kelsey Watson, Taylor Sorrells, and Jordan Moreland – horse judging; Morgan Shawler, Jessica Beatty, Kayla Luther, and Paige Parsons – floriculture; Devon Buls and Billie Fogle – State Greenhand Quiz.

Proficiency & Degree Recognition: Mattie Wheeler and Macy Evans were recognized by the chapter for their outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE) and received a proficiency pin.

Iowa Degree recipients recognized included Macy Evans, Mattie Wheeler, Logan Pettit, Morgan Shawler, Cali Foglesong, Olivia Hartman, Maddie Travis, Trevor Marlin, and Will Gordon.

The Iowa Degree recipients received their gold charms during the 88th Sate FFA Leadership Conference held in Ames.

Local Chapter Recognitions: Record-keeping awards went to Tristan Travis, Dalten Bierle, Mattie Wheeler and Zach Hoffman. Macy Evans received

the SAE-FFA Member Point Award. Other award recipients included Gracie Russell, Salesmanship Award; Mattie Wheeler, Chapter Leadership Award; Paige Parsons, Star Farmer Degree; Star Greenhand, Devon Buls and Hank Looney; Star Chapter Agribusiness – Macy Evans. Scholarship recognition was awarded to: Taylor Buxton, Megan Haley, Shelby Huntsman, Tessa Powers, Jesse Vicker, Bree Ross, Laura Weis, Paige Parsons, Logan Pettit, Mattie Wheeler, and Gracie Russell.

Kelsey Bailey, FFA Advisor, thanked the parents and community for all of their support of the Creston FFA Chapter and its members. Bailey also addressed the members expressing her appreciation for their hard work, dedication, and leadership they have shown over the past year.

After the program concluded, the chapter distributed more than $500 worth of door prizes that were donated by local businesses.

Approximately 150 parents, members, and guests attended the banquet including a special guest, Congressman Young.

Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 19c

All is Merry and Bright at the Creston Depot Members Attend National Leadership Conference All is merry and bright at the Creston Depot thanks to the help of the Creston FFA Chapter and the Creston Community High School Career Seminar class. Students and members assisted in decorating the depot on Friday, November 18th in preparation for the Creston Community’s lighted Christmas parade on December 1st. Students taking part in volunteer activities is an important character building experience, according to Florida State University Extension Specialist, Molly Latham. According

to Ms. Latham’s research, students who volunteer at least 3 times per year have a stronger adult work ethic and become adult volunteers themselves.

Creston FFA has many philanthropic activities planned for this winter starting with decorating the depot. The chapter also has a secret Santa initiative where they get classes and organizations in our school district to adopt families in the community. In the past Creston FFA’s initiative has been instrumental in adopting 20 plus families annu-

ally. The chapter will also begin a personal care items drive following Thanksgiving, were students will be encouraged to donate toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and other personal care items that will be donated to the O’Riley Center food pantry here in Creston. And last but not least, FFA will collect clean gently used toys to donate to the Community Center this Christmas season, just one more thing to make this year merry and bright! Any and all donations are welcome and can be dropped

Creston FFA members and students in Creston Community High School’s Career Seminar class have a fun morning decorating the depot in preparation for the community’s holiday festivities. Pictured: (front) Morgan Shawler, Mattie Wheeler, Trevor Marlin, Kayla Luther, and Macy Evans; (back) Chase Shiltz, Cody Tanner, Matt Hoffman, Ian Burns, Kadon Hulett, and Tom Steinbach.

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Creston FFA Chapter president, Matilyn Wheeler, closes with her explanation of how our philanthropy work has impacted herself and other members in our chapter, “ Through these philanthropic activities our members are able to view the community through a different lens. Not only are we able to give back to our community, but also be involved in heartwarming and meaningful experiences that we will never forget.

Throughout my 4 years in FFA my favorite activity has remained the same, delivering Christmas food baskets to families in our community. There is something about giving back to others that has touched my heart in a way that nothing else has done. I encourage everyone to get in the holiday spirit, whether it is by donating your time, to a cause, or simply wishing others a happy holidays when passing by. We are so lucky to live in a community where philanthropy is encouraged and supported by may organizations.”

Students from FFA chapters across Iowa attended the Discovery, 212o and 360° Leadership Conferences. These conferences are an activity of the National FFA Organization made possible by title sponsor Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Taylor Sorrells, Kayla Luther, Allivea Skarda, and Danika Schultes, members of the Creston FFA Chapter attended the event November 12, 2016 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

Discovery – a program offered specifically for 7th and 8th grade students and focuses on shifting the leadership focus from “me” to “we” while utilizing the FFA Mission. Participants learned about emotional growth, opportunities in agriculture, and how to become a servant leader.

212° - the temperature at which water boils – focuses on taking students to the boiling point of leadership.

At 211° water is extremely hot, but just one more degree gets us to the next level.

The one-day 212o Leadership Conference is focused on student development and helps FFA members become aware of all aspects of personal growth. FFA mem-

bers attended sessions on finding their passions, core virtues, decision-making, character, and building connections. Students leave this experience with a personal plan for self-improvement.

360° - takes students full circle in terms of chapter leadership. The one-day 360° conference is focused on the importance of vision and how to become a visionary leader. Students spent their time in sessions understanding the importance of having a vision for their chapter, setting goals, recruiting followers, being persistent, and tracking success. Students leave this conference with the necessary understanding and skills to be a person of influence in their chapters and communities.

This school year, more than 7,500 students across the nation will participate in a 212o or 360o Leadership Conference. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

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Page 20c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

The Tree Tradition Continues For many years, the Creston FFA Chapter has prided itself on enhancing the beauty of the Creston community by planting trees and has been recognized by organizations at the local, state and national levels. It is important to the members of the chapter to give to the community now so that it will continue to be a beautiful place to live and not to forget, we have a lot of fun planting trees!

Mr. Galen Zumbach is an important partner in the chapter’s tree planting as

began the chapter’s tradition and continues to volunteer to write grants for the chapter to secure funding for the planting projects.

Mr. Zumbach also helps find locations in the community that would benefit from new plantings and or replacements trees. Creston FFA partners with Trees Forever granting program as well as Earl May to purchase the trees and assist with the planting design.

In 2016, Creston FFA planted trees at multiple locations, including: Creston

Community High School, Early Childhood Center and Middle School campuses and McKinley Park.

Trees are specifically selected for the plantings are both for function as well as diversity. Diversifying the tree specie population has been a focused effort to avoid an over population of one tree and run the risk of disease or pest out break, such is the case of the Emerald Ash Borer. A wide variety of deciduous shade trees and coniferous trees were planted.

Spring of 2016 Creston FFA members Darian Fischer, Tom Steinbach and Jessica Beatty planted trees at McKinley Park.

Creston Freshmen Get Fired Up for FFA Being a freshman is an exciting time for young people and so too is becoming a new FFA member! New members are termed greenhands in the FFA organization, this level of membership is an exploratory time for our newest members. To start the greenhand members off on the right start, freshman attend the annual district Greenhand Fire Up conference hosted by the Indianola FFA Chapter.

The Fire Up conference provides opportunity for members to learn the

meaning and purpose of the FFA. They learn that FFA although deeply rooted in production agriculture, has ventured to include a vast array of subjects and career opportunities. As they like to say “We are just about cows, plows, and sows anymore.” In turn, new FFA members learn to value the work of our forefathers in building a rich culture of land stewardship and also a mentality for progressiveness, always looking for better ways through better days.

Learning is key for our new freshman members but having FUN is important. At greenhand conference new members enjoyed time with new friends from other chapters in the district as well as fun with fellow chapter members. From games to challenging activities, the evening was entertaining and enjoyable. The new friends and connections made at the Fire Up conference will serve them well through their time in FFA as well as into their future.

New FFA members are called Greenhands. Pictured are our 2016 Greehands: (front) Kaylyn McClellan, Ellie Starlin, Danika Schultes, Paul Johnston; (back) Maisy Franklin, Cole Smith, and Tyler Alfrord.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 21c

Creston Members Give Tree 32nd Annual Legislative Symposium Seedlings To Kindergarteners & FFA Day at the Capitol Most people think of trees as having values that can’t be expressed in dollars.

They think of cool shade on a hot day, beautiful flowers in the spring, great fall color, or other, less tangible benefits. Some of the benefits of trees can be expressed in dollars, however.

According to the American Forestry Association, trees have significant monetary benefits. They have found that a single tree that lives for fifty years can provide $57,151.00 in environmental benefits such as reduced costs in air con-

ditioning, heating, erosion control, and air pollution.

This is the lesson the Creston FFA members try to instill in every kindergarten student in the Creston school system when each student is provided a free tree seedling of their own to plant.

According to Creston FFA member Tristan Travis, “I like to take programs like this to the children in our community, it shows them how we need to take care of our environment.

The kids are always happy to see high school students

and it is fun to go back and visit where I went to school.”

This past year over 300 Red Oaks and Red Maples were individually packaged in peat moss and distributed to all kindergarten students in the Creston school system.

It is hoped these young people will plant, care for and watch how these young seedlings impact their environment as they and the tree seedling grows to maturity.

FFA members from across Iowa will converge on the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism.

Over 350 high school students wearing blue corduroy from over 50 schools will flood the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 31. The students will visit with legislators, exhibit skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learn the importance of citizenship. This is all part of the 32nd Annual Iowa

FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol. During the morning, FFA members will hear from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. Libby Crimmings of the World Food Prize will address students about the future of Iowa agriculture and the importance of being involved with statewide issues. The FFA members will also hear remarks from Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the legislative process.

Governor Branstad will sign the FFA Week Proclamation, declaring February 18-25, the week of President George Washington’s Birthday, FFA Week in Iowa.

The proclamation signing will take place during a special ceremony at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates following legislative visits at the Iowa State Capitol Building.

The 32nd Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol is made possible with support from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

Creston FFA’s Make Creston Green program delivered saplings to kindergarten children throughout the Creston community. Picture are FFA member Clarissa Hoffman, Maddie and Tristan Travis with Mayflower School students.

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Page 22c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Earning to Live……Living to Serve Service, it is a focus of the Creston FFA Chapter.

Often times when people think of FFA they envision the FFA members with their individual supervised agriculture experience (SAE), feeding livestock, showing livestock, harvesting, planting, working at an agriculturally related business – any yes, this is the picture of the individual FFA member. However, as a chapter we strive to serve our community and the people of our community.

The FFA motto is: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve. Learning takes place in the classroom (Learning) through instruction and discovery. Doing, doing is what the members go back home and apply

from the classroom their own SAE projects. Earning, members earn money or invest their time in activities that are agriculturally related. This earning requires members to take records of their investments and earnings, teaching financial responsibilities and personal management. Finally, Serving. Serving is the opportunity for members to work together or individually to make the world around us a better place to live. The FFA believes if service is a focus at a young age, then that need and desire to help one another will follow the member throughout adulthood. Creston FFA is a model of excellence for serving the community.

There have been many service projects conducted

Creston FFA assists with Bright Eyes in the Park by delivering and picking up straw bales and tables for the celebration.

Pictured are Creston FFA members Hank Looney, Cade Vicker, Tristan Travis, Trevor Marlin, and Paige Parsons.

Mounted Shooting. Creston FFA members helped with a mounted shooting event at the Union County Fairgrounds, August of 2016. Although these members do not have horses as their SAE they were glad to help and learn about this fast action event. Pictured: (front) Rachel Shepherd, Taylor Sorrells, Laura Weis, Logan Pettit, Kayla Luther, Danika Schultes, Ellie Starlin; (back) Kelsey and Rebecca Watson.

throughout the year by the Creston FFA Chapter.

We start the beginning of the year off by cleaning a stretch of Highway 25 between Creston and Orient.

What seems like a very long stretch of highway is actually a quick task as our members many hands make for light work. This year, following our clean up, members gathered at Cedar Park for some backyard football, chili feed, and bone fire.

In the fall, Creston FFA also helps the CARE organization with Bright Eyes in the Park. A group of members is formed to gather straw bales from the Creston Livestock Auction as well as tables from the Eagles and then delivered to McKinley Park to set up for the event. Following

the conclusion of the event, members load all the bales and tables and return them to the respective locations.

Although this is only a small part of the Bright Eyes celebration, the chapter feels good about their contribution and is happy to help such a worth cause.

The Christmas holiday season brings forth a host of service traditions for the Creston FFA Chapter. We start the season by helping decorate the downtown Depot for the annual lighted Christmas parade. In the school, the chapter challenges their peers to take part in helping the community by collecting donations, gently used toy donations, and adopting families. Our ‘Santa Can’ project saw 466 personal care items collect-

Vets program – Creston FFA members have participated in the Creston High School Veteran’s Day Program for the past few years. Members assist guest in the school and provide a free valet parking service. Members pictured include: (front) Dalten Bierle, Morgan Shawler, Billie Fogle, Paige Parsons, Taylor Sorrells; (back) Shelby Huntsman, Hank Looney, Tom Steinbach, Trevor Marlin, Will Gordon, and Cade Vicker.

Pictured left: STM STEM – Paige Parsons, Creston FFA Chapter report, is pictured along with other FFA members at the St. Malachy School STEM night. Creston members taught children about the parts of a flower where they dissected real flowers and examined them under the microscope. Children also learned how to extract DNA from a banana!

ed for the Creston food pantry! And what is most heart warming, they chapter and many of CHS’s student body and organizations adopted 20 families this Christmas.

Christmas is also a time for giving and what better gift is there than food. Creston FFA helps the Creston Christmas Basket Club in the delivery and distribution of food baskets to the needy families in Creston and surrounding areas. The Christmas basket food activity is one of our members’ favorite activities. As Morgan Shawler says “There is a warm feeling that you get from this project that you don’t get other places.”

In the summer, Creston FFA continues to be of service. In 2016, the chapter helped set balloons for a

Santa Can – Creston FFA Chapter president, Mattie Wheeler, fills in the candy cane thermometer that recorded the number of personal care products that were donated during our annual holiday philanthropy activity.

mounted shooting event.

Members helped Friday through Sunday at the county fairgrounds, filling, setting and re-filling balloons.

It was a fun experience and an opportunity to support our members that have equine and shooting sports supervised agriculture experiences.

Living to serve, it is not only said in the Creston FFA Chapter it is practiced.

Our members are community minded young people that want Creston to be the best it can be for all of us to live, work, and raise families. Our members are the leaders of tomorrow, the service they do today will continue on into tomorrow.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 23c

Animal Health Company, Zoetis, Supports FFA At All Levels “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.”

That’s the FFA motto.

It’s one that resonates with those at Zoetis.

Since 1928, FFA has supported aspiring agriculturalists. But FFA is more than a classroom activity. It’s a dynamic organization that provides its members with leadership development, career growth and personal success. We realize FFA’s impact firsthand because many Zoetis colleagues were FFA members, and we hope that today’s members

are our co-workers in the future.

Zoetis is proud to support FFA because it believes in the future of agriculture. In fact many of our employees are FFA alumni, with careers founded on their FFA experiences.

“FFA provided the confidence and skills I needed for my future career. There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t know someone from some activity related to FFA. FFA people really are the future of agriculture.”

— Craig Dybedahl, senior territory manager, Zoetis,

Colton, S.D. “The skills and confidence I gained from FFA in Guthrie, Okla., were essential to my many satisfying life and career achievements. Partnering with Zoetis customers to invest in the future of FFA … you might call it giving back, but I call it paying it forward.” — Paul Parker, senior marketing manager, Zoetis There are many blue corduroy threads in the tapestry of colleagues who comprise Zoetis. We know when it comes to leaders, “Blue” is actually golden.

Zoetis is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the National FFA Foundation and a champion for agricultural education. Through both this national partnership and our FFA chapter Support Program, we help bolster the efforts of FFA’s 550,000 members across the U.S. — ensuring that the future of agriculture remains strong.

FFA has a strong history of helping students and their communities.

• Provides agricultural education and hands-on experience to help students select and succeed in a career in agriculture • Creates future leaders through leadership development conferences and Career Development Events (CDE) competitions • Provides outreach programs that help nonfarm

neighbors understand and appreciate the importance of agriculture in their lives • Makes neighbors aware of the many career opportunities in agriculture By partnering with local veterinarians and animal health dealers and distributors, the annual Zoetis FFA chapter Support Program provides funds to thousands of local FFA chapters each year. Since 2008, more than $8.8 million has helped chapters purchase equipment on school farms and in the classroom, helped build new animal agriculture facilities for FFA chapters, fund leadership development events and class projects, secure blue jackets, send members to their first National FFA Convention and more.

Zoetis is also proud to sponsor and host National

Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) workshops at the National FFA Convention, providing support, insight and resources to the teachers who make a difference.

As a champion of veterinarians worldwide, Zoetis also sponsors the national Veterinary Science Career Development Event (CDE). This CDE, which was offered as a national contest for the first time in 2012, focuses on small- and large-animal veterinary medicine, training and then testing students’ knowledge on proper care and handling of animals. An exciting new step for FFA, the CDE is a great way to encourage many FFA members looking to pursue careers in veterinary medicine.

Creston FFA is grateful for the continued support from Southern Hills Veterinary Clinic and their participation in the Zoetis giving program. Pictured are Creston FFA members with Dr. Ryan Shuey of Southern Hills Veterinary Clinic. Pictured are: (front) Morgan Shawler, Macy Evans, Dr. Ryan Shuey, Mattie Wheeler, Kayla Luther, Tristan Travis, and Hank Looney; (back) Beau Thompson, Trevor Marlin, Laura Weis, Paige Parsons, Megan Haley, and Devon Buls.

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Page 24c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Youth involved in three-day bicycle safety program Everyone can fondly remember riding bicycles as a child. However, most people don’t know that every year about 176,000 kids go to the emergency room of a hospital because of bike accidents. Some of these injuries are so serious that children die, usually from head injuries. This is a problem the Creston FFA membership has been addressing for more than a decade. In this time well over 2,200 young people have been taught the importance of bicycle safety and provided with a helmet they can wear when riding their bikes.

Creston FFA, working with the Creston Law Enforcement Center and the Union County Sheriff’s Department, presented their annual two-day bicycle safety program to over 200 first and second grade students in the Creston public,

St. Malachy and Mayflower schools in May of 2016.

With the help of the Creston police, FFA members explained the importance of wearing safety gear and knowing the correct hand signals when riding a bicycle. Students received a coloring book on bicycle safety and were provided the opportunity to demonstrate how to properly ride a bicycle on a city street, how to use hand signals when turning away or into traffic, and how to approach various street signs on a bicycle safety rodeo course. All first grade students in the Creston Community received a bicycle helmet provided by the Creston FFA Chapter and the Creston Law Enforcement Center.

The Chapter was assisted in its presentations by local police officer Pat Henry.

According to newly elected

Chapter President Mattie Wheeler, officer Pat Henry was very important to the overall program’s success.

“The law enforcement always works well with the young people and are very knowledgeable about the bicycle safety laws, adding credibility to our presentation and program,” added newly elected Chapter Vice President Macy Evans another FFA member involved in the safety program.

“Safety can save lives if we take it seriously,” stated FFA member Will Gordon.

“If we can get one youngster to look before crossing an intersection, our efforts will be worthwhile,” added Trevor Marlin who was a member of the team which presented the programs to the Creston area youth.

Creston FFA members, Macy Evans, Zach Hoffman, and Mattie Wheeler talk to St. Malachy children about bicycle safety signals. Children ride the bicycles on a small riding course and practice using the learned signals.

Creston FFA senior, Trevor Marlin, assists a St. Malachy student in riding a bicycle at the 2016 Creston FFA Bicycle Safety program.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017 — Page 25c

Creston FFA Takes 10th Overall at 2017 Iowa Beef Expo

On an early Sunday morning, 7 Creston FFA members braved the cold the test their abilities in evaluating breeding and market beef at the 2017 Iowa Beef Expo Judging contest, in Des Moines, Iowa. Members participating in the contest evaluated some of Iowa’s top breeding cattle, to say the least members were looking for the small “stuff� to select the top animals. Classes were made of either purebred or commercial beef, which included breeding heifers, bulls, and market steers. In addition to visually evaluating the animals, team members were provided with

performance data, scenarios and EPDs (Expected Progeny Difference) to evaluate and place cattle to meet specific situations. The senior team, consisting of Kaden Wilson, Macy Evans, Hank Looney and Allivea Skarda placed 10th overall out of 32 FFA teams and placed 9th in team oral reasons.

Livestock is an important factor in raising and breeding livestock. Producers use the skill of evaluation on a daily basis for the improvement of his or her herd through selective breeding practices and culling management. FFA members are learning at an early age

through career development events such as livestock judging, in the classroom, and through their supervise agricultural experience (SAE) projects how to use selection as a management tool for proper and successful animal husbandry.

The Creston FFA livestock judging teams will continue work and practice their skills as they prepare to participate in the Iowa FFA judging circuit this summer and the Iowa FFA state livestock judging career development event in August.

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Pictured at Creston FFA livestock judging team members (front) Cole Smith, Macy Evans, and Allivea Skarda; (back) Paul Johnston, Hank Looney, Kaden Wilson, and Hayden Green. At the 2017 Iowa Beef Expo these members earned 10th overall team and 9th overall team in oral reasons. Gaining skill in livestock evaluation will serve these members well as they pursue careers in livestock production.

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Page 26c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

Union County Fair The county fair is a time to display and celebrate all of the hard work members have been doing all year long to raise their livestock projects. It is a favorite time of the year for most and certainly and exciting time.

For some of our members, showing at the fair is second nature as they have been exhibiting from a young age but for others it was the first

time for them to step into the ring.

Showing is not the only thing Creston FFA does at the Union County Fair, we are very busy during the week in Afton. The chapter started our Saturday by working the food stand, which can be a lot of fun!

Tuesday is kids day, and what a day that is. The chapter sponsors a livestock

It takes many hours to prepare for the FFA activities that take place at the Union County Fair, pictured are FFA officers Seth Steinbach and Trevor Marling getting our Creston FFA chapter sign ready for the float for the queen’s parade.

judging contest/clinic where youth and adults are encouraged to try their hand at evaluating market and breeding livestock. New this year was FFA’s participation in the Little Hands on the Farm activities, were it was our goal to teach the fair goers about agriculture.

Creston FFA partnered with the East Union FFA to host multiple activities that

showcased how agricultural raw products are used to make things that we eat and fuel our cars, stressed the importance of safety on the farm and when riding ATVs, and then had some fun with rodeo games. To round out the day, they chapter assists with the County Fair pedal pull – we provide the pullers with lots of sweet candy treats!

Even though school is out, the ag room can be a busy place in the summer. Pictured are FFA officers and a few volunteers that are working to put together the Little Hands and the Farm activities, here they are searching for ag facts.

Seniors Will Gordon and Trevor Marlin were ready and waiting to make up some nacho plates at the 2016 Union County Fair!

Little Hands on the Farm was a great opportunity for these FFA members to share their knowledge about agriculture with the young people in our county. Members are pictured at the animal learning station where they taught the kids about baby calves and lambs.

Everyone has to pitch in and help at the county fair and that includes the food stand. Kayla Luther and Macy Evans are having a fun time working at the sandwich station.

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Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017— Page 27c

A Brief History of the National FFA Organization

The passage of the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act in 1917 not only provided federal funds to states for high school courses in vocational education (agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and trades and industries) – but it also led to the idea for an organization that is known today as the National FFA Organization.

In the early 1920s, just a few years after the SmithHughes Act was enacted, Virginia formed a Future Farmers of Virginia club for boys in agriculture classes. Other states soon followed Virginia’s lead and formed their own Future Farmers organizations. The next logical next step was to create a national organization to bring together all of the state organizations.

In 1928, a group of vocational agriculture students were in Kansas City, Mo., for the third annual National Congress of Vocational Agriculture Students, which was held

during the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show. On Nov. 20, 33 of those students from 18 states met at the Baltimore Hotel in Kansas City and formed the Future Farmers of America.

FFA was for young men who were studying vocational agriculture in public secondary schools, and the new organization was designed to develop agricultural leadership, character, thrift, scholarship, cooperation, citizenship and patriotism.

The organization was structured on three levels – local, state and national – with students starting their FFA experience by joining a local chapter at their school, where the agriculture teacher serves as the chapter advisor. As part of the larger program that is now called agricultural education, FFA members are encouraged to participate in all three components of the program: (1) classroom/laboratory work (through enrollment in agriculture classes); (2)

membership in FFA; and (3) hands-on work experience through the supervised agricultural experience program.

Each FFA chapter develops and follows an annual program of activities, and all members share in planning the program and participate in its execution. Through their participation, members learn how to take part in meetings, follow parliamentary procedure, speak in public and cooperate with their fellow students.

Student officers are elected on each level to lead the organization’s activities, and FFA members receive recognition for their achievements through competition and award programs. The annual national convention and expo offers FFA members an opportunity to come together from across the country and celebrate their accomplishments over the past year.

By 1935, FFA membership had topped 100,000 with more than 3,900 chapters in 47 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

That same year, the New Farmers of America was established to provide leadership opportunities to African-American students enrolled in vocational education classes.

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Land was purchased in Alexandria, Va., for the National FFA Headquarters in 1939, and in 1944, the National FFA Foundation was created to raise funds from business and industry to help support the many new programs being developed for the growing FFA membership. In 1950, Public Law 740 was passed by the U.S. Congress, granting FFA a federal charter and requiring that a U.S. Department of Education staff member be the national FFA advisor.

FFA membership took a leap in 1965 when 58,000 members of the New Farmers of America merged with the Future Farmers of America. This followed an act of Congress that prohibited segregation in public schools. Four years later, delegates at the 1969 National FFA Convention voted to allow women to be members of FFA. In 1976, Alaska became the 50th state to obtain a state charter. A membership high was recorded in 1977, with 509,735 members in 8,148 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

By the 1980s, the Future Farmers of America had become more than an organization for rural farm students. In 1988, the del-

Proud to Support FFA

egates at the 61st National FFA Convention voted to change the organization’s official name from Future Farmers of America to the National FFA Organization. This change was made to recognize that FFA is not only for those interested in farming, but it is also for those with more diverse interests in the industry of agriculture, encompassing science, business and technology in addition to production farming.

The late 1990s marked a period of location changes for the National FFA Organization. The National FFA Center was moved from Alexandria, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind., where a new building was dedicated on July 20, 1998. And after 70 years in the same city, the national FFA convention was held for the last time in Kansas City, Mo., in 1998.

The 72nd National FFA Convention in 1999 moved to Louisville, Ky., where it remained for seven years; in 2006, the national FFA convention moved to Indianapolis. Attendance at the national convention and expo reached an alltime high in 2012 when 56,167 FFA members, advisors and supporters came to Indianapolis for the 85th National FFA

Convention & Expo. From 2013-2016, the convention and expo will take place once again in Louisville and then return to Indianapolis in 2017.

Over the years, FFA has shown the value it places on service to country and community. This was never more evident than in 2005. Following Hurricane Katrina, the National FFA Organization raised more than $835,000 through their Seeds of Hope campaign to help FFA members, chapters and agricultural education facilities affected by the hurricane.

Today, the National FFA Organization is a premier youth leadership organization with more than 610,000 members in 7,600+ chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 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.

For more information about the history of the National FFA Organization, visit the website of the National FFA Archives at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI):

Page 28c— Creston News Advertiser — Monday, February 20, 2017

History Continued from Page 11 In the official leadership speaking contests, the following have competed on the state level: twentythree Program of Activities teams, eleven extemporaneous speakers, eighteen parliamentary procedure teams, nine Freshmen Conduct of Meeting teams, twenty-one public speakers, nine Freshmen Creed Speakers, fourteen Radio Broadcasting competitors, three Ag Sales contestants, and eight job interview leadership contests.

Other contest accomplishments, since 1979, include fifty-three members advancing officer books to state competition. The following placed second in the State Reporter Scrapbook Contest: Kari Van Gelder, 1991; Matt Moberg; Brett Moffitt, 2002; Candace Weeda, 2007; Rachel Griffith in both 2008 and 2009; Mallory Griffith winning tops scrapbook in 2011. Trista Ide’s and Ashley Hartsook’s reporter’s scrapbooks placed third in 1997 and 2006 respectively.

Amanda James, Francine Jackson, and Mallory Travis won the State Reporter’s Scrapbook Contest in 1998, 2000, and 2003 respectively. In the Des Moines Register Chapter Reporter Award competition Heidi Osche, Scott Finn, Kari Van Gelder (Kari also had the second place reporter’s scrapbook in 1991), Jan James, Michelle Saville,

Creston FFA members strive to build leadership, personal growth and career success through their years of membership. Creston has been a strong organization in the Creston Community since 1951. Face change, years goes but one thing remains, Creston FFA works to build young people through agriculture education. Picture are many of the chapters members in 2016.

Cali Cross, Rachel Griffith, and Mallory Griffith were named the state’s top reporter in 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2008, and 2011 respectively. Trista Ide and Francine Jackson were named the Iowa runner-up in 1997 and 2000.

Mallory Griffith was the winning scrapbook in 2011.

Amanda James, Taften Kuhl, and Candace Weeda placed third in 1998, 2003, and 2007. Haley Stalcup was named the top reporter in the ASTM/SAE Reporter Award competetion in 2010. Jacque Jay became the first chapter reporter to place first in the ASTM/ SAE Reporter Award sponsored by the Iowa FFA Alumni Association in 2004. Donovan Richardson became the first Creston Chapter member to have the chapter’s secretary’s

book place as high as second in state competition in 2009.

Two hundred and sixtythree members have advanced proficiencies to the state level with fifty-four state and three national winners being named. Brian Priest won both state and national proficiency competition in 1986 in the area of Soil and Water Conservation. Brian Bolton was named the national winner in outdoor recreation in 1998, and Andy Jennet won the nation in the proficiency area of Turfgrass Management in 2008. Other members who have been recognized as national proficiency finalists include Levi Buxton in Agricultural Mechanics/ Technical Placement, and Caleb Hoakison in Outdoor Recreation in 1998 and

2001 respectively, Michael Hilger in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Placement in 2003, and Tim Jennett in the area of Landscape Management Placement in 2004, Brooke Thelen Equine Science 2015.

Other state proficiency winners include Scott Reasland, Outdoor Recreation, 1985; Chuck Denton, Agriculture Processing, 1986; Rob Evans, Agriculture Placement, 1990; Brad James, Wildlife Management; 1995; Shamus Stephens, Equine Production, 1996; Ann Moberg, Forestry Production, 1996; Brian Bolton, Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneur, 1997, Michelle Saville, Ag Sales & Service Placement, 1997; Levi Buxton, Agricultural Mechanics, 1998; Mike Taylor, Beef Place-

ment, 1998; Philip Moberg, Outdoor Recreation, 1998; Cody Purdum, Diversified Crop Production, 1998, Brian Bolton, Wildlife Management, 1998; Nathan Studer, Beef Placement, 1999; Tanner Kuhl, Forestry Placement, 1999; Alyssa Franklin, Sheep Entrepreneur; Caleb Hoakison, Outdoor Recreation; Philip Moberg, Agricultural Sales & Service Placement; Jill Tussey, Specialty Animal Entrepreneur, 2000; Taften Kuhl*, Forestry; Aaron Hoyt, Beef Production Placement; Matt McNichols, Agricultural Sales Placement, Cody Waltersdorf, Diversified Crop Production Placement; Chad Ide, Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship; Brad Crill Outdoor Recreation, Jill Tussey in Specialty Animal Placement, 2001; Tim Jennett, Turf & Lawn Management Placement, Taften Kuhl* in Landscape Management Placement, 2002; Mike Hilger Environmental Science/Natural Resource Placement, Cole Miller, Turfgrass Management, Taften Kuhl*, Community Development, Derek Quam in the area of Poultry Production Placement , 2003; Taften Kuhl,* Environmental Science & Natural Resources Placement; Cory Hoakison, Ag Sales & Service; Cody Bailey, Beef Placement; Lindsay Loomis, Swine Placement; Tim Jennett, Landscape Management

Placement, Tyler Mahan in the area of Ag Sales Service Placement, 2004; Andy Jennett, Turf grass Management Placement; Kyle Thelen, Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurship; Tyrell Miller, Grain Production Placement, and Ashley Hartsook, Equine Entrepreneurship (*Kuhl4time state winner), 2006; Jason Lents, Beef Placement; Cameron Weeda, Forage Placement, and Andy Jennett in Turfgrass Management Placement, 2007; Maggie Thelen, Equine Entrepreneurship; and Jason Lents in Forage Production Placement, 2008; Todd Ramaeker, Grain Production Placement; Colton Dunphy, Poultry Production Placement, and Ethan Harris in Agricultural Sales Placement, 2009; Ayla Peppmeier, Diversified Livestock Production, Todd Ramaeker in Diversified Crop Production in 2010, Haley Stalcup Beef Production 2011, Darin Hatfield in Agricultural Sales Placement in 2014, Brooke Thelen Equine Science 2015.

By promoting leadership, skill development, and community involvement, the Creston FFA looks for many more success stories to come. It is the hope of its membership that the next 64 years will bring as much growth and successes as have the years since the chapter was founded in 1951.

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