Plymouth FFA Chapter

Name: Plymouth High School
City and State: Plymouth, Ind.
Contact Name: Ms. Kelli Hoffman
E-mail Address: khoffman@ply
mouth.k12.in.us
Website: http://plymouth-in-ffa-chapter.webs.com
Number of FFA Members: 50

History of Chapter: This year has been full of changes and “rebuilding” for the Plymouth FFA chapter. The biggest goal for advisor, Kelli Hoffman was to expose her students to all the opportunities available in the FFA and to help members develop a sense of leadership and professionalism both qualities in which are essential of every FFA member.

What classes are taught to FFA members?: With over 1,200 students at Plymouth High School (Grades 9-12), students can take a variety of agriculture courses such as: Fundamentals of Agriculture, Agriculture Mechanics, Animal Science, Advanced Animal Science, Horticultural Science, Advanced Plant & Soil Science, and Advanced Food Science. Students may also take Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) during the school year to  allow them to earn credits toward their high school diploma.

What activities does the chapter participate in?: Other new events the chapter added to their program of activities included attending National FFA Convention for the first time, hosting an “Agriculture Literacy Day” with the local Boys & Girls Club, hosting a state wide soil judging invite, attending District Kick-off, and planning a week full of events to celebrate National FFA Week. The chapter will also be competing in Career Development Events and proficiencies this year in areas such as: job interview, demonstrations, quiz bowl, parliamentary procedure, livestock, horse and dairy cattle judging.

What is your biggest fundraiser?: The chapter also sells fruit and candy in the fall as their main fundraiser. Since most FFA members did not own an official FFA jacket, Hoffman decided to offer an incentive to help members earn their jackets. Upon selling a set amount of fruit, members could earn a free jacket and tie. The incentive worked and most of the chapter’s 50 members have jackets today.

What is your chapter’s strength?: Jay County FFA has a great strength in community involvement. Every year we do a book drive, canned food drive, and community clean-up. Also, the chapter participates in many community events.
Most unique fact about your chapter?: One of the biggest projects Plymouth FFA hosts every year is the Marshall County FFA Toy Show. Plymouth hosts the event in conjunction with other FFA Chapters in their county. The event attracts hundreds of farm toy collectors from numerous states. All Marshall County FFA Chapters pre-sell limited addition 1/16th scale tractors as a fundraiser.  This year’s toy show will be held on March 6 at Plymouth High School.  or more information, or to order a tractor (2011 Edition: 445 Minneapolis Moline Wide Front) contact Hoffman.

Favorite community service project? The chapter started several new community service projects this year including, “Operation Christmas Child,” where they went shopping for underprivileged children and filled shoe boxes with needed items. The chapter also “adopted” a family to sponsor during the holidays and donated money that was used to give kids in their community a Christmas Party.

What else would you like to tell us?: The chapter’s current advisor, Ms. Kelli Hoffman replaced Mr. Larry McCoullough this year after his dedication of over 25 years with Plymouth. Hoffman is no stranger to the agriculture industry, FFA, or the business of teaching. She grew up on her family’s diversified grain and livestock farm, was an active FFA member, where she served as district president and two-time chapter president, was a 10-year 4-H member, and currently is completing her third year of teaching agriculture. She is also a graduate of Purdue University and will be earning her master’s degree.