Ohio FFA Senior Receives Dekalb AwardPETTISVILLE, Ohio — John Bruner, a Pettisville High School senior, was recently awarded the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company.

Bruner, the son of Dan and Jo, received the award for excellence in leadership and agricultural work experience. Bruner’s significant accomplishments include serving as the Pettisville FFA Chapter student advisor, being a member of the Parliamentary Procedure Team, placing fourth in the district in the Tractor Trouble Shooting Contest and state proficiency finalist in the Diversified Crop Production Placement contest.

Bruner’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects include raising pigs, crops and working at Wyse Repair and Bruner Farms. Bruner will receive his State FFA degree this spring, and after graduation he plans to continue working and expanding his mechanical skills.

This year, the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award celebrates its 60th anniversary. For more than 60 years, 158,000 high school seniors from across the country have received the award, which has become a symbol for excellence and one of the highest agricultural honors in high school. In 2006, over 2,050 students from high schools in 49 of the 50 states were recognized with the award.

Monsanto, a supporter of agricultural education, FFA, 4-H and other farm youth organizations and initiatives, has sponsored the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, named for its brand of seed, since 1998. Monsanto is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.

Ft. Recovery hosts
annual FFA banquet
FORT RECOVERY, Ohio — The Fort Recovery FFA Chapter organized its annual banquet on April 2 to award the year’s outstanding members.

The event took place at the Fort Recovery Middle School auditorium, with nearly 325 in attendance. The banquet serves as a display of all the hard work done by the members throughout the past year. To kickoff the ceremony, Fort Recovery Chapter President Bruce Schoen called the banquet to order. Chapter Sentinel Jeremy Siegrist gave the invocation, and the buffet meal was served. Ft. Recovery High School Principal David Warvel gave remarks over the past year, Honorary Chapter members were awarded, and Advisors Michael Gower and Joseph Hawk presented the chapter awards.

With 111 members, Fort Recovery participates in numerous career development events, fundraisers and community service projects.
This year, eight members will receive the State FFA Degree: Joel Bey, Dan Brackman, Nick Grey, Tyler Huelskamp, Melanie Lennartz, Jeremy Siegrist, Adam Tobe and Ben Tobe. Eleven members will receive the American FFA Degree, including Greg Brackman, Kyle Fortkamp, Josh Gaerke, Beth Lennartz, Jennifer Link, Jason Post, Lee Stammen, Adam Sutter, Mary Will, Kelsie Will and Rachel Will.

Other awards presented to dedicated members include the Star in Agribusiness Award, given to Bruce Schoen, the Star Greenhand Award was presented to Kelsey Brockman and the DeKalb Award was given to Kyle Brockman. The chapter also awarded Dino and Carol Knapke, Don and Sally Siegrist, and Mark and Kathy Will as Honorary FFA Members for their dedicated service to the chapter.
Among other events at the banquet, the chapter hosted its annual Pie and Cake Auction that raised $2,095. Proceeds from the auction allow students to attend the State FFA Convention, FFA Camp and the National FFA Convention.


Ohio FFA Chapter
recognizes achievement
FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Fairfield FFA members were recognized for hard work and participation during their annual awards banquet on Thursday, March 22 in the Fairfield High School auditorium.

Numerous members were awarded for outstanding work in various
chapter activities, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs and Career Development Events.

Prior to the presentation of awards, a catered meal was provided. During dinner, members Janice Barrett and Hannah Larrick entertained the guests. Barrett sang Amazing Grace, while Larrick presented an informative speech on the pork industry.

Nearly 100 members received recognition at the banquet. Awards given out included T-shirts, backpacks, fleece jackets, lanyards and FFA pillows made by chapter members. A photo slideshow viewed during the banquet highlighted the conventions, chapter events, service activities and SAE programs that members participated in throughout the year.

Fairfield FFA members placed well and moved on to the state level in several contests this past year.

During the banquet, several teams were recognized for their accomplishments. The Parliamentary Procedure Team received second at the district level. The Agriculture Sales team placed second in the district and 16th in the state contest. The Urban Soils
Judging qualified for the state contest, after placing fourth in the district. Fairfield’s Animal Management team earned 12th place in the state of Ohio, while the Agriculture Communications team finished in eighth place.