CELINA, Ohio — Several members of the St. Henry FFA Chapter participated in the Mercer County Fair from August 7-13. Students displayed projects ranging from shop projects, vegetables, crops and grain. Many students excelled with their projects, being named best in class, including: Todd Wuebker for his potatoes, and large zuccini. Wuebker also received best in class for his pumpkins. Dean Leistenschneider received best in class for his shop stool. Scott Moeder received best in class for his patio furniture. Wuebker also received best in class for his wood project and Jon Potkotter received best in class for his wood shelf. Eric Wuebker received best in class for his alfalfa hay, Ryan Weitzle got best in class for his clover.

Also, some St. Henry FFA students also showed livestock. Matt Unrast, Terry Geier, Dean Leistenschneider and Mitch Broering exhibited swine projects. Jake Dirkson and Karen Hein exhibited cattle projects.

OSU student gains experience from ag education program

FT. RECOVERY, Ohio — Felicia Quaintance, a sophomore at the Ohio State University ATI (Agricultural Technical Institute) majoring in agricultural education, recently completed a ten-day Early Field Experience with the Ft. Recovery Agricultural Education Program and the FFA.

The Early Field Experience Program is designed to give students interested in a career as an agricultural teacher a first hand look early in their collegiate career.

The Early Field Experience involved class observations, teacher, guidance counselor and administrator interviews and teaching the Agriscience I classes for two days.

“I’ve experienced first hand what this program can do for its students and I want to be a part of creating that for future students,” Quaintance said.

Quaintance is 2006 graduate of Parkway High School, where she was an active FFA member. Quaintance has received her American FFA Degree, State FFA Degree and the Star in Agribusiness Award. She was also one of ten recipients of the NAAE Future Teacher Scholarship in 2006.

Conover-area student named national finalist for FFA award INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The National FFA Organization recently announced Tyler Schindel of Conover, Ohio was selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Proficiency award in Emerging Agricultural Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement.

Schindel is one of only four people chosen to compete for this award at the national finals held this October during the FFA national convention in Indianapolis.

The proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business, working for an existing company or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience.

The Emerging Agricultural Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement Award is one 47 proficiency program areas FFA members can participate in to develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state and national levels.

Schindel, a member of the Miami East FFA Chapter in Casstown, Ohio, became eligible for the national award after winning the State of Ohio FFA competition earlier this year. Schindel maintained job placement at Buckeye Ag Testing in Troy, Ohio.

He is the son of Katie Miller and Craig Schindel. He will be a freshman at the Ohio State University ATI (Agricultural Technical Institute) with a major in agronomy.

This award is sponsored by Chevrolet, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. In recognition of being a finalist, each of the four finalists will receive a plaque and $500. The national winner of the Emerging Agriculture Production–Entrepreneurship/ Placement Award will receive an additional $500 during a special ceremony at the National FFA convention.

Winners named at Fulton Livestock Judging Contest

WAUSEON CITY, Ohio — On Tuesday Sept. 4, the Fulton County Ag Teachers conducted the Livestock Judging Contest for Junior Fair Day at the County Fair in Wauseon City, Ohio.

Third grade students and older had the opportunity to compete in the contest. Participants judged dairy cows, market steers, hogs and lambs. Results from the senior individual division include: first place, Lucas Nofziger of the Pettisville FFA Chapter; second place, Seth Nofziger of the Archbold FFA Chapter and third place, Rebekah Meller of Pettisville FFA. Results from the senior team category include: first place, Pettisville FFA (Erica King Stacey King and Kayla King); second place, Pettisville FFA (Josh Bruner, Lucas Nofziger and Harris Kinda; and third place Wauseon FFA (Miranda Blaylock, Mark Banister and Mitchell Weber). Results from the junior individual category include in first place, Levi Webser of Wauseon; second place, Lexie King of Pettisville and in third place Dustin Banister of Wauseon. The junior team winners include Wauseon FFA in first (Levi Weber, Dustin Banister and Carly Weber); in second place, the Pettisville FFA Chapter (Adi Bruner, Laura Rupp and Lexie King); and in third place, the Pettisville FFA (Tanner Rufenacht, Luke Meller and Dexter Aeschliman). Finally, winners of the adult individual competition include Jordan Beck of Pettisville in first, Whitney Beck of Pettisville in second and Hanna Lemle of Anthony Wayne in third.

Alexander FFA hosts Fun Day at Albany Independent Fair

Albany, Ohio — The annual Albany Independent Fair took place in Albany, Ohio, Sept. 5-9.

The Alexander FFA Chapter managed numerous events and activities on Fun Day Sun., Sept. 9.

Despite the rain, 28 youngsters showed up to partake in the Fun Day events. Events included corn shelling, sack races, musical chairs, an egg toss, and a hay stacking competition.

The Fun Day was a great success and all participants had a great time.

The FFA Chapter also helped the Albany Fair Board with a variety of other fair events.

On Wed., Sept. 5, the FFA chapter helped the fairboard sell baked goods at the bake sale auction and assisted with the ATV Drag Race. On Fri., Sept. 7 the chapter helped park cars at the Demolition Derby.

Additionally, all the members of the Queen’s Court this year are members of the Alexander FFA.

Sheets receives the DeKalb Agricultural Award

ROCKFORD, Ohio — Brett D’Wight Sheets of Willshire, Ohio, who attends Parkway High School, was recently presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company.

Sheets, the son of D’Wight and Michelle Sheets, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience. Sheets’ significant experiences and accomplishments have included first place at district ag mechanics in 2006 and 2007, first place at the State Ag Engineering contest in 2006, participant in tractor trouble shooting and small engines contests, and the Big Eastern States Expo Ag Mechanics Contest.

Alan Post is Sheets’ agricultural education instructor at Parkway High School.

This year, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award celebrates its 60th anniversary. For over 60 years, more than 158,000 high school seniors from across the country have received the Award, which has become a symbol for excellence and the school’s highest agricultural honor. As the winner of the 2007 Award, Sheets’s name will be recorded on a permanent plaque displayed at Parkway High School.