Forest Lake FFA Banquet

My very first FFA Banquet of the year I was invited to go to the Forest Lake FFA Chapter! One thing that I could tell that this chapter cherishes is their history. At the entrance, there were scrapbooks dating back almost 3o years! I enjoyed watching the transformation of the different members throughout the scrapbooks. For example, to watch how a the shy Greenhand with out her own jacket in the pictures transformed to a member at camp, to a member carrying plaques for public speaker to my current teammate: Katie Miron. Forest Lake is also home to the Daninger family, who all have a rich history with the National FFA Organization and the dairy industry. Luke, Erin, Nathan and Mariah are all current Forest Lake FFA members. Their father was a past state FFA officer! In case you didn't know, their family bottles their own milk at Autumnwood Farm. Quite simply, it is heaven in a glass. I think their milk should be coined as the official drink of the Minnesota FFA. http://autumnwoodfarmllc.com/index.html

Erin, Carter, Sarah, Kayla, Andrew, Matt, Nathan

Photo courtesy of Kristy Mussman

The night highlighted the accomplishments of the members of the chapter from their National Food Science team to their Million Hour Challenge Award.This chapter is most definitely a great example of what is means to be engaged with the members, school and community it serves. While I believe credit is due to the students, because this is a student led organization, I think that the advisors- Mr. Marzolf, Mr. Miron and Mrs. Ward deserve as much recognition. Just from the glimpses that I saw of them, I could tell that they have not only invested their time into their careers, but into the students. It is because of Agricultural Educators like them that agricultural education continues to change lives.

Thank you to the Forest Lake FFA Chapter for inviting me to your banquet, feeding me and allowing me to gain insight on the individual and team successes your chapter continues to support.

I can't wait until more!!!!

Napkin Doodles

This was our last SOPD of the year! It was bitter-sweet as we spent the day with the leaders of Alliance Pipeline and learned more about the over 1.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas that is delivered through the pipeline EVERY DAY.
Have you ever found yourself doodling on a napkin at a restaurant? I have. In fact sometimes I leave pictures for the waitress... OK SO BEYOND THAT FACT!- The idea of bringing natural gas from north eastern British Columbia, Canada all the way down to Chicago, Illinois, USA started with doodling on a napkin!

The system itself it quite complex, and the science and engineering is incredible. You might need a helmet because this stuff will blow your mind. However, I can't even tell you about it because it was really over my head. What I can tell you is that Alliance Pipeline ensures that their service will continue to support the health, environment and communities impacted by the pipeline.

Alliance Pipeline is a great friend of Minnesota FFA as the help with the sponsorship of hundreds of scholarships for FFA members to attend our state camps in the summer. Tony Straquadine and Ken Goulart - employees at Alliance - have also served on the Minnesota FFA Foundation Boards. I am personally thankful for their support because if it weren't for their scholarship I would have never gone to the camp that has helped shape me into the leader and person I am today.

Not only does Alliance Pipeline support scholarships for FFA members, they support the future of us, members.

THANK YOU, cannot even begin to describe my gratitude.

FFAvorite Week continued...

Just after sneaking back to finish my Animal Science test, I packed up for the long haul home for the weekend with some stops along the way.

First stop: Springfield FFA!
My good friend from camp, and cabin roomate, Kelly invited me to some to their chapter meeting and 2nd annual Wii Tournament. Yes. Wii Tournament. Traffic kept me away from making the short meeting, but it didn't keep me away from total domination in the tournament! Once making myself at home in the Ag Room in Springfield, I got the chance to catch up with some friends: Jordan,Kelly, Jeremy, Cheyenne, Andy, Tyler, David and Mr. Brown.
Jordan... is college bound for St.Cloud. Due to his hard work in basketball, he has been offered a nice scholarship to play there. Jordan will retire this year as a Region VI FFA officer.
Andy...is younger than I thought he was. All year, I kept thinking he's graduating, but he still has another year. I had a great conversation with him and talked through the National Chapter Award. It's encouraging to know that he still has another year to serve as a positive role model in his school. He is currently serving as chapter president.
THE set up for the tournament was awesome, with 2 Wiis going simultaneously, each projected on the wall of the Ag Room/Library. Kelly and I were partners, and remember how I mentioned my 'total domination'? That's is more of a preview more next year, because we got dominated 0-2 eliminated right away. DONT LAUGH. It's not funny. I also spent the night browsing the school with FFA members looking for the hidden FFA emblem. Needless to say, we failed.

Next stop: G-ma's!
Yeah, that's the best part about having a Grandma who lives in the area-> A place to sleep and good food. Never fails!

Good Morning: Southwest Star Concept FFA!
Another friend of mine and former Region VI teammate, Maddie informed me of the events in Heron Lake, Minnesota to end their FFA Week. They had baby animal day.I had my mind set on filling the minds of kindergartners about the wonders of sheep, but instead Loretta did the talking. Instead, I was just another kid asking questions about the ferret, chicks, ducks, goats, calf, horses, lambs, dog and guinea pig. I'm so glad I went because I got to see Mrs.Schoenfeld. Long story short, she is the bomb and was one of the driving forces that helped me get where I am today. She currently works with Jackson County 4-H, after previously teaching Agriculture are SSC and advising Region VI FFA. Oh, and Megan, if you read this, I didn't forget you, I hope you are feeling better. I also got the chance to meet some of the guys in Mr.Place's Livestock class:
Jon... is going to be a Golden Gopher next year!He is a big fan of NCIS, CSI and anything that has to do with mysteries. Next fall, he intends to study Psychology and Sociology in hopes to prevent future crimes.
After cleaning up the gym in Heron Lake, we hustled over to Okabena (the High School) for Ag Olympics where students were challenged with wheel-barrel racing, milk chugging, dressing as a farmer and making butter. Students were all successful in the tasks except for the butter part. Lucky for me, I just learned the proper technique of butter making from the one and only Tony Seykora. Of course, butter formed! I wish the best to my friends, Megan and Maddie who will represent their chapters as State Officer candidates this year! Also, that they (finally) will win the state Meats CDE... but you are going to have to get past Marshall first!

Final Stop: Marshall FFA!
I made my journey home, and in Marshall I had the chance to catch up with a growing leader in our chapter:
Eric... is currently serving as chapter treasurer. As a member of the Farm Business Management team that placed 3rd last year at State, I can't wait until they make Nationals this year. (Fingers crossed) Eric has high goals and aspirations in this organization. His passion and interest for agriculture and FFA would not even indicate that he grew up in town. This year he is running for Region VI office and would like to attend the Washington Leadership Conference.

With my experience in Job Interview, I helped new member Adri with her competition. She is applying for a position with photography with an agricultural company. I also got some much needed signatures for scholarships from my faithful advisers! But, the lambs back home were calling my name, so I took off shortly.
What a great week. At one point I thought, "...Wow, that was my last FFA Week.." WHAT?! How stupid of me. Just because you don't wear the blue jacket or it "shrunk", doesn't mean that you still cannot celebrate the FFA Week with your community. I encourage you, for next year to make yourself present at one of your home chapter or local chapter's events.
TOTAL Mileage for FFA Week 2010 = 1,238 miles!!!
Each gallon of gas was worth it.