The team had to evaluate soil for its use in production agriculture and urban settings by examining the soil profile of pits dug into the ground. They analyzed soil texture, slope, drainage, erosion potential, and soil depth, as well as make choices on the soil’s usefulness for construction.

Ft. Recovery students advancing to the national competition included Josh Gaerke, son of Jack and Judy Gaerke; Tyler Huelskamp, son of Ken and Connie Huelskamp; Mike Schoenlein, son of Denny and Deb Schoenlein; and Adam Sutter, son of Frank and Lisa Sutter.

Beginning in 1943, the National Soil and Range Judging Contest now attracts more than 1,000 competitors from all 50 states and is the only recognized soils competition in the nation.

The following served as trip sponsors for the Ft. Recovery FFA team, B & F Rental, Big K Mills, Coldwater Animal Clinic, Cooper Farms, Evers Consulting Services, Ft. Recovery Equity, Huelskamp Farms, Hull Bothers, J & M Manufacturing, Klingshirn and Sons Trucking, Les Wenning Motors, Mercer SWCD, Metzger Oil, Midwest Rebuilds, Minster Farmers Co-op-St. Anthony, Schoenlein Farms, and St. Henry Bank.

Warren County brother and sister win 2006 Poultry Meat Pen
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Fifteen-year-old Peter Elliott is known by family and friends as the “chicken man.” However earlier this summer, his 12-year-old sister, Jennifer Elliott, had her Cornish cross poultry pen named Grand Champion and Peter’s was named Reserve Grand Champion at the 2006 Illinois State Fair.

“My heart was racing as the judge was looking at my pen,” Jennifer said, “I thought ‘No way, we are just not good enough for this!’”

To prepare their animals for show, the Elliotts’ top priority is cleanliness. They wash their animals regularly, give them clean bedding, and separate the chickens to reduce pecking issues. They also attribute their success in showing to excellent cleanliness.

The winning trio weighed approximately 10 to 12 pounds apiece and were purchased from Murray McMurray Hatchery. The chickens are fed a feed that is 24 percent protein from Nutrina.

The Elliotts both of Monmouth, Ill., are the children of Rick and Kathy Elliott.

To celebrate, the Elliotts were excited to tell friends and family. “Everyone always teases me and calls me the ‘Chicken Man,” Peter joked, “but it’s kind of nice now that I’m in the money.” Jennifer and Peter plan to invest their winnings in more chickens, cattle and especially college.

“I know I want to go to the University of Illinois to become a veterinarian, go to school for eight years and help farm animals,” Jennifer explained.

Jennifer is a seventh grader at the Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth, while Peter is a sophomore at United High School. Jennifer and Peter are both members of the Warren County Happy Helpers 4-H Club.

Pettisville FFA students attend officer training workshop
PETTISVILLE, Ohio — Officers and assistant officers from Pettisville FFA attended officer training at the Rufenacht Chalet in July. They participated in activities, which improved their ability to lead their chapter through the coming year.

The officer teams worked on bonding with each other through games and activities. Brad King, president, and Mike Bruner, vice president, set goals for the retreat to learn how to become more organized, how to better prepare for the year, and how to keep members active in the recycling, sales and leadership projects.

The group thought going through the POA and a calendar of events was helpful in understanding what to do as officers and committee chairmen. SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable and Timely) goals were set for committees and officers.

-Submitted by Reporter, Libby Eicher

This farm news was published in the Sept. 13, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.