News and Events at Chillicothe's National FFA Organization

2008 American Degree Recipients | 2008 Pig Show Extravaganza | Area II Chapter Officer Workshop

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2008 American Degree Recipients

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Ethan Beck (son of David & Suzi Beck), Geana Gates (daughter of Gil & Karen Gates), Wade Judy (son of Richard Judy & Wendy Wilson), Rebecca Kerr (daughter of David & Brenda Kerr), Clifton Lauhoff (son of David & Janet Lauhoff), Shelby Moss (daughter of David & Debbie Moss), and Andrea Williams (daughter of David & Carla Williams), members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter recently received the American FFA Degree. Earning the degree means these individuals are one of a select group to be recognized for years of academic and professional excellence. The honor was presented on October 25, 2008 at the 81st National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.

The American FFA Degree recognizes demonstrated leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, and processing or service programs. To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also make it their mission to demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement. Each award recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key, and certificate in a blue leatherette frame. Of 500,823 FFA members nationwide, Ethan, Geana, Wade, Rebecca, Clifton, Shelby, and Andrea were seven only 3,341 to be recognized in 2008. Case IH, The Farm Credit System, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation sponsor the degree recognition program.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 500,823 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,358 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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2008 Pig Show Extravaganza

On May 31 and June 1, 2008 the Livingston County 4-H & FFA Fairgrounds-Jenkins Expo Building hosted three swine shows. There were approximately 400 head of hogs shown at this weekend’s event. On Saturday morning the show was sponsored by the Missouri Swine Youth Supports. There were approximately 190 head of hogs at this show. The results of the show were:

  • Supreme Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker

  • Reserve Supreme Gilt went to Carter Ward

  • Supreme Barrow went to Kimberlee Gieseker

  • Reserve Supreme Barrow went to April Baker.

The Saturday night show was the Missouri Elite Breed Spectacular. This show was sponsored by Certified Pedigree Swine, Chillicothe State Bank, Davis Livestock, Davis Spot Farm, J.R. Reid Show Pigs, Whitehead Spots, Travel Tyme/Pap’s Primitive, Oram Family Spot, Diamond J Livestock, Gail and Garett Reid Families, Randy Derr, Stein and Stewart Genetics, Perry Purebreds, Robinson Genetics, and National Swine Registry. The results were:

  • Champion Berkshire Gilt went to Katy Bryant

  • Reserve Champion Berkshire Gilt went to Taylor McGaugh

  • Champion Chester Gilt went to Sarah Bridges

  • Reserve Champion Chester Gilt went to Jon Black

  • Champion Duroc Gilt went to Creighton Sapp

  • Reserve Champion Duroc Gilt went to Adam Perry

  • Champion Hampshire Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker

  • Reserve Champion Hampshire Gilt went to Quincy BeVelle

  • Champion Poland Gilt went to Lawton Johnson

  • Reserve Champion Poland Gilt went to Olivia Loges

  • Champion Spot Gilt went to Taylor McGaugh

  • Reserve Spot Gilt went to Sarah Bridges

  • Champion Yorkshire Gilt went to Zack Craven

  • Reserve Champion Yorkshire Gilt went to Katie Viets

  • Champion Berkshire Barrow went to Katie Viets

  • Reserve Champion Berkshire Barrow went to Lance Williams

  • Champion Chester Barrow went to Harley Wooldridge

  • Reserve Champion Chester Barrow went to Brad Storck

  • Champion Duroc Barrow went to Taylor Bryant

  • Reserve Champion Duroc Barrow went to Kimberlee Gieseker

  • Champion Hampshire Barrow went to Cameron Ward

  • Reserve Champion Hampshire Barrow went to Katie Viets

  • Champion Poland Barrow went to Johnny Johnson

  • Reserve Champion Poland Barrow went to Brent Boland

  • Champion Spot Barrow went to Noah Gamm

  • Reserve Spot Barrow went to Clay Wooldridge

  • Champion Yorkshire Barrow went to Taylor Loges

  • Reserve Champion Yorkshire Barrow went to Justin Kindsen

  • Junior Showmanship went to Harley Wooldridge

  • Senior Showmanship went to Chelsea Bridges.

Sunday morning the Chillicothe FFA Alumni hosted the North Central Missouri Show Pig Bonanza, where there were approximately 200 head of hogs. The sponsors of this show were Ag Venture, American Family-Janet McCauslin, Andy Parks, Bank Midwest, Barnes Baker Motors, Brammer Show Pigs, Brotherton Farms, BTC Bank, Chillicothe Animal Hospital, Chillicothe State Bank, Chula Farmers Coop, Citizens Bank & Trust, Croy Show Pigs, Cunningham Plumbing Co., Davis Livestock, Dean Machinery, FEC, Grand River Technical School, Hoffman-Reed Inc., Hutchinson & Co., J.R. Reid Show Pigs, Livingston TV & Appliance, Pioneer HiBred Seed, MFA Agri-Service, Roberts Law Office, Rudasill Farms LLC, Simms Show Pigs, T & R Soil Service, TLD Livestock, Trans Ova Genetics, Williams Farms, Wolf Farms, and Wolf Brothers. The results of this show were:

  • Supreme Champion Gilt went to Kimberlee Gieseker

  • Reserve Supreme Champion Gilt went to Taylor Loges

  • Supreme Champion Barrow went to Troy Sloan

  • Reserve Supreme Champion Barrow went to Noah Gamm

  • Junior Showmanship went to Bryana Binkley

  • Senior Showmanship went to Troy Sloan.

Supreme Champion Gilt
Kimberlee Gieseker
Supreme Champion Barrow
Troy Sloan

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2008 Area II Chapter Officer Workshop

On Friday, May 30, 2008 the Missouri Area II Officers held a workshop for chapter officers at the Chillicothe High School. The workshop focused on communication skills and etiquette. The workshop consisted of the Area II Officers conducting opening ceremonies. Then Tom Brand, Farm Director for KFEQ radio, presented the key note address on “Positive Communication about your Chapter”.

CAPTION - Tom Brand giving his key note address.

The chapters competed in both a rituals contest and a best dressed contest. The rituals contest is to see which officer team can present the official FFA opening ceremonies with the fewest flaws. The best dressed contest is to see with chapter officer team follows the rules of official FFA dress the best. The winners of both contests were the Trenton FFA officer team.

The workshop session covered the topics of newspaper communications, radio communications, websites, and e-mail etiquette. The presenters for these workshops were - Newspaper Communications - Cathy Ripley (Chillicothe C-T) and Susie Mires (St. Joseph News Press), Radio Communications - Tom Brand (KBEQ) and Janet Adkison (KMZU), Websites - Brenda Fellhoelter (BK Web Works) and Chuck Erke (Greenhills.net), E-Mail Etiquette - Marti Miller (Miller Auction Co.) and Chris Holland (Livingston County Library).

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