Urbana FFA members took part in the state Career Development Events on March 24. The Milk Quality and Products, Equine and General Livestock teams competed in this event. State Meat Evaluations were to take place on April 28. These competitions promote leadership and life skills for the students involved. All students take part in practices before the contests, to learn the skills they will need for the competitions. Teams are made up of up to four members, and are given an accumulative score on the three highest ratings.
The Milk Quality and Products team tastes milk to determine defects and determine the type of cheese. The team placed 5th in the state and consisted of Rebecca Preston who placed (15th) individual, Brittney Fiest placing (17th) individual, Jess Salyers placing (22nd) individual,McKinley Preece, Olivia Maurice, Zack Collins, Nick Crumley, Jackson James, and Lexus Greene.
The General Livestock students judge two classes of beef, swine and sheep based on market and breeding characteristics. They also have three female selection classes and two paper scenario classes. The team placed 99th overall.
The Equine Management contest consists of students evaluating conformation and movement of horses. They test on equine health care and practices as well as tack, equipment and feed identification. The individuals who competed were Mckenzie Richards, Bryan Daehling, and Hailey Combs, the team placed 69th overall.
Congratulations to all the contestants on a job well done and for all the hard work this spring put in at practices and time spent at invitationals to gain experience for the state competition.
Urbana FFA holds annual Farm Day
Farm Day was hosted by the Urbana FFA on April 26th at Dugan Road Creamery, owned by The Nelson Family. Farm Day is an educational day for all of Urbana City School 1st graders to experience a day on the farm and the different aspects of agriculture. The first half of the 1st graders came at 9am. They spent two and a half hours going to ten different stations to be educated by FFA members, alumni and advisors, and even got to meet State FFA President Ryan Matthews. The different stations were: plant a seed, how to make ice cream, hayride to the horses, goats, beef cattle, how to milk a cow, chickens and rabbits, tour of the creamery, pigs and lastly dairy cows. At 11:30 the group broke for lunch as the second half of the first graders arrived. After lunch the 2nd group went through the stations. The 1st graders, parents and teachers all learned a lot and had a great time! Thanks to all the FFA supporters for helping with the event by providing the site, animals, education, food, donations for resources and helping hands. Also, a big thank you to Ryan Matthews for taking the time to attend this special event. The 1st graders will remember their day on the farm for many years to come!
Urbana Ag Ed holds exhibition
On April 17th, 2018 the Urbana Agriculture Education program had a exhibition night to showcase their progress on the Project Based Learning (PBL) assignment. The Food Science class researched the importance of food safety and the specifics on how to make brats. The class tested how meat tasted with different types of seasonings until they choose their seasonings for the final project. Students gave abridged versions of their presentations to members of the board and staff prior to the board meeting. Taylor Cordial, Nick Crumley, and Ashlyn Dunn gave their full presentation of the safety and processing aspects of food making to the Urbana City Schools Board of Education.
Urbana FFA holds annual banquet
The Urbana FFA held its annual banquet on April 26th. The banquet was called to order at 6:10 pm by Olivia Maurice. Over 180 members and guests were present. After the opening ceremonies the officers began the dinner (Grill-Able Catering). While eating, the year in review slideshow was presented. This slide show was made by Chapter President, Olivia Maurice and Advisor, Mrs. Mallory Zachrich. Ashlyn Dunn called for the beginning of the silent auction, which raised money for Children’s Hospital, and the CROP/World Church Organization. The chapter would like to give a special thanks to local businesses who donated items to the auction. The awards portion of the banquet began with the Chapter FFA Degree Ceremony where 12 members received the silver charm. The chapter officers also gave out the appreciation awards and the very special Honorary Chapter Degree. This degree is given to members of the community who have helped to make a difference in the FFA chapter. Mark and Brooke Perry as well as Becky Evans were the recipients. Mr. Wilhelm and Mrs. Zachrich then presented special awards for those members who participated in Career Development Events over the past year as well as SAE awards for students excelling in their agricultural projects. Mr. Wilhelm and Mrs. Zachrich also presented plaques to their retiring officer team which was given for their year of service to the chapter. The officer team consisted of Olivia Maurice (President), Kirstin Lewis (Vice President), Ashlyn Dunn (Secretary), Jesse Craig ( Treasurer), Taylor Cordial (Reporter) and Peyton Tener (Sentinel). Mr. Wilhelm and Mrs. Zachrich then presented the star awards. These awards include; Star Greenhand (awarded to the most outstanding first year ag student):
Trey Williams, Outstanding Sophomore: Justin Preece, Star Chapter Farmer (awarded to a Jr. or Sr. who has gone above and beyond to accomplish individual goals as well as chapter goals): Ashlyn Dunn. And finally the Star Ag Placement award who was given to Olivia Maurice. The final duties of the officers were the officer installation ceremony. The new officers for 2018-2019 are: Ashlyn Dunn (President), Nick Crumley, (Vice President), Ally Pierce (Secretary), Justin Preece (Treasurer), Taylor Cordial (Reporter), Peyton Tener (Sentinel), Jess Salyers (Student Advisor). These new officers have promised to uphold the duties of their office and the traditions of the FFA for the next year.
