Eads FFA Wraps Up Summer Activities
September 5, 2003
Once again, we’ve found ourselves in a new school year. The Eads FFA program has, however, been active over the summer. I’ll start by introducing myself to you; I’m the 2003-2004 Eads FFA Chapter Reporter. Throughout the year, I’ll be sending you the latest news from the Eads FFA program.
Eleven Ag students started the summer in May by planting cattails. This was a four day project, which required digging up cattails and transplanting them at the Eads lagoons. By the end of the fourth day they ended up transplanting 16,000 cattails. Each student was individually paid. Our chapter also received a donation for organizing the effort
June came as a busy month for the Ag program. We attended the State Convention, which was followed by our camping trip. State proved to be very successful. Several students along with the chapter received some very prestigious awards. The State Proficiency Award winners were Lesa Cole (Diversified Livestock), Ashley Brown (Sheep Production), and Casey Gibbs (Diversified Ag Production). There were also four members who received their State Degree. Those members were Dustin Batterton, Ashley Brown, Cody Cordova, and Brad Rehm. The chapter was awarded the "110% Membership Chapter" award, as well as receiving the "Bronze Emblem" award. State Convention was also full of leadership workshops and other various activities, including a few games, such as tug-of –war and volleyball. All of the members who participated had a good time challenging the other chapters. State Convention was held June 4th through June 6th. Following State Convention, the chapter went on a camping trip to take a weekend to relax before summer started up. This year, they went to Cottonwood Lake near Buena Vista from June 8th to the 11th. They spent the week fishing and hiking. On the second day of the trip, they also went to the Arkansas River Tour where they all went rafting for half the day. Reports came back that everyone had a blast on this year’s trip!
Ashley Brown and Joe Andrew Bush were our two members who attended the Washington Leadership Conference from July 7th -13th in Washington, D.C. Ashley said her favorite part, was when all the FFA members did community service, also known as "Gleaning Network". This program would sort cucumbers and ship out the good ones on trucks all over the state of Washington to all the less fortunate. Another interest she found was in all the monuments they were able to see. They took a night tour, as well as getting the chance to tour the White House. Joe Andrew on the other hand said his special interests of the W.L.C. week were all the leadership workshops and group activities in which they were able to participate. He also thought the night monument tours were quite interesting. Both members reported back to our chapter that they had learned how to properly greet people, build relationships, and the importance of living with character.
State Fair also ended with some impressive awards for our chapter and members to be proud of! Casey Gibbs won a first place ribbon in Ag Mechanics for a post driver, and Ashley Brown won a first place ribbon in Ag Mechanics for a pair of adjustable saw horses. Shawn Kraft was awarded second place in Ag Mechanics for a saddle rack. Levi Kraft won second place in Ag Mechanics for a trailer, and Cody Cordova was also awarded a second place ribbon for his post puller project. Along with all of the above winners, our chapter was placed fourth in a chapter competition! In the animal section, Tyler McCracken placed 10th in Swine Showmanship. Brandon Cordova won 14th place showmanship with his wrangler heifer. I would also like to recognize the rest of the members who participated with animals. Ashley Brown, Jace Roberson, and Brandi Roberson all showed lambs in the showmanship and market classes. Vance Cole, Lesa Cole, Hunter Uhland, and Tyler McCracken all showed market swine. In the market goat class, Vance Cole and Lesa Cole both showed, with Vance winning 5th in his class. So, good job to all of our State Fair participants!
At the present, everyone has been busy getting ready for the Kiowa County Fair. In class, there has been a float crew working, members working on projects, and others getting their animal entries ready to hand in. The Eads FFA would greatly appreciate all of your support at the fair. We hope to see all of you there!