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Spotlight on Youth - March 31, 2010
Indiana 4-H receives donation from Co-Alliance
AVON, Ind. — Recently, Co-Alliance CEO Kevin A. Still presented a check for $2,500 to the Indiana 4-H Foundation in support of the 2010 Roundup. Co-Alliance is a leading agribusiness co-op serving farmers in dozens of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan counties. Still made the presentation on behalf of Co-Alliance and COBANK, one of the largest cooperative lending institutions serving rural America, where he has been a member of the Board of Directors for several years.

Indiana 4-H Foundation Director Shelly Bingle-Coffman is already looking ahead to help plan a successful 4-H Roundup Camp in June. Roundup is a three-day development event for 4-Hers (grades 7 through 9) from all over the state, and will be held at Purdue University this summer.

Kateyln Melvin and Miami East FFA awarded for essay
CASSTOWN, Ohio — In honor of National FFA week Feb. 20 to 27, 2010, Farm Credit Services (FCS) of Mid-America in Versailles, Ohio, challenged area FFA members to write a concise 350 word essay illustrating why FFA was important to them. The winner of this challenge was awarded with a $50 gas card and their home FFA chapter received a donation for $250 dollars.

Senior at Miami East High School, Katelyn Melvin, has been selected as the winner for the outstanding essay in Miami County. Melvin’s essay was selected; however many other essays submitted were of high quality and showed an true impact the FFA had made on their lives. 

“The organization is very important because it’s a face of agriculture and the most trusted job is a farmer. It teaches us about many issues and how we can help,” states Melivn’s essay.
“Although it was a short essay it really illustrated Katelyn’s passion for the organization and how FFA directed her future career path as veterinarian,” said Angie Otte, financial services officer at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is happy to help Miami East FFA members celebrate in the 2010 year by granting them an additional $250 of much needed funds.

Furthermore, FCS Versailles office plans to continue to offer this opportunity to FFA chapters in Darke, Miami, and Shelby Counties in the years to come.

University of Illinois hosts NJSA Boot Camp
URBANA, Ill. — Nearly 40 youth swine producers ages 8 to 12 discovered the importance of their role in producing a safe, quality meat product at the 2010 National Junior Swine Assoc. Boot Camp at the University of Illinois on Saturday.

“The U of I was honored to partner with the NJSA to provide an opportunity for our future agriculture industry leaders to gather together and learn more about the swine industry,” said Dan Shike, U of I assistant professor in animal sciences. Shike, coach of the U of I livestock judging team, led participants on a practice livestock judging workout where he discussed current selection trends and basic instruction for judging swine.

Eight-year-old Allison Wheeler of Jacksonville, Ill., said she learned a lot from the judging workout. “I placed my practice class right and understand judging much better now,” she said.

Participants listened to industry leaders and U of I professors discuss topics ranging from animal behavior to selecting show pigs.
Ashley DeDecker, a U of I graduate student in animal sciences, discussed swine behavior and what makes pigs behave the way they do.

She illustrated her point by demonstrating the “natural pecking order” utilizing members of the audience.

Jenna Wheeler, a 10-year-old participant from Jacksonville, Ill., said, “I didn’t realize the role of the ‘bully’ pig before and how his fighting with the smaller pigs allows everyone to catch up and eat more while the ‘bully’ is fighting.”

U of I graduate student Brandon Yantis educated youth on how to select sho w pigs and what to look for when purchasing their next pig project.

The Wheeler girls said they put their new education into action at a pig sale on Sunday looking for project pigs that were “wide from the ground up.”

In addition, participants were educated on preparing for skillathon competitions by NJSA Director Bailey Albright of Coldwater, Mich., and showmanship techniques by NJSA President Lynsee Shaffer of Albany, Ind.
3/31/2010