My FFAvorite Week...

To continue my adventures during National FFA Week, I set my alarm for an early drive down to one my favorite chapters: Owatonna FFA. Although I'm not sure how our relationship developed, I'm sure glad it did. In order to show their appreciation for their faculty, students and community, the Owatonna FFA members had an appreciation breakfast. Again I got to see my good friends, Kelsey, Matt, Travis and Steph. It was great to catch up with them and see them in action as leaders for their chapter.

But hey, I didn't come to sit around and chat- I came for work! So, I found my way back in the shop flipping pancakes with Brooke and Caleb. It was a lot of fun to just shoot the breeze with them while making breakfast. Once it was time to clean up, Steph, Kyle and I did some dishes and rocked out to some Queen, "Bohemian Rhapsody". (Or at least I did...) Again, I'm glad that I came to Owatonna because I got to meet another young leader in agriculture:

Kyle...grew up on a dairy farm and they milk about 140 cows, twice a day.In addition to his involvement with General Livestock judging, Kyle is active on the State bound Owatonna Wrestling team.Although he isn't quite sure where he wants to go or do, he knows that agriculture will be apart of his life. (I think the U of M is a good choice...)Yet again, I have met another outstanding role model for the younger guys in production agriculture.

Brooke...is staying quite busy with college classes right now as a PSEO student at Riverland. Once she graduates this spring she would like to finish up her generals at Riverland and hopefully find a college for Radiology.

Caleb...has a growing interest in the dairy industry even though he has grown up in town. He started working at a friend's dairy farm when he was younger, and since then he has been hooked. In fact, he is planning on going to SDSU next fall for Dairy Science.

... Mr.Spindler has some pictures from the event, but I'm just waiting on them! Here is part of the chapter at Teach AgDay!

P.S...Congrats to Kelsey as she was recently elected to serve as the Region VII FFA President. Also, to Matt for his decision to serve our country in the military. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!!! (can I come back???)
Mr.Spindler and Ms. Tinaglia- Thank you for being such great mentors and advisers to the members of this chapter!

On Thursday...over 200 blue jackets invaded Saint Paul at the State Capitol for National Teach Ag Day!It was great to not only share our experiences about Ag Ed with legislators at the capitol, but to hear their own blue jacket stories. Also, I chatted it up with some FFA members from West Central, Verndale, Foley, Perham and Randolf FFA.

This was my first time meeting these members/chapters and I'm glad that I took the time to stop and talk with them. After having some conversations with them, it was unanimous-they love being at the capitol, feeling apart of something bigger and they LOVE THEIR AG TEACHERS! Our team pictured with Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba and Commissioner Gene Hugoson.

Then, I quick ran back to campus for an Animal Science test. I hope I passed!

Instead of lumping everything together in this single post, I am going to make another post probably tomorrow or so about the final 3 visits in FFA Week! Thanks for tuning in.