Kentucky 4-H, FFA chapters receive $80,000 in grants
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced that 61 FFA chapters and 4-H councils across Kentucky have been selected to receive Agriculture Achiever Grants totaling $80,000.
The grant program will help 33 county 4-H councils and 28 school FFA chapters fund projects that advance agricultural education in their local communities. The program is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and is funded through a federal Rural Rehabilitation Grant.
“We salute the extraordinary creativity and initiative demonstrated by the scope and variety of these projects,” Commissioner Farmer said. “Past projects have ranged from greenhouse construction to computer equipment purchases, and we anticipate many successful projects in the coming year.”
FFA projects include improvements to school greenhouses, purchases of aquaculture teaching materials, development of equine education and livestock teaching facilities, and establishment of a community garden to be coordinated by the local FFA chapter. Schools are required to provide matching funds in order to receive the grants.
County 4-H councils will use the grants for projects such as teaching youth how to use global positioning system (GPS) equipment, resources to be used by volunteers to teach club members, audio equipment, and tents and gate panels for local livestock shows and fairs.
“The Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture has supported the Agriculture Achiever Grant to Kentucky 4-H since 1994,” stated Martha Welch, University of Kentucky Extension specialist for 4-H youth development. “We are grateful to Commissioner Richie Farmer for his support. … The $40,000 [annually] has funded numerous county projects which would not have been possible otherwise.”
State FFA Advisor Curt Lucas agreed that the Agriculture Achiever Grants have been a tremendous benefit to agricultural education programs across the state.
“Since its inception, this program has pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into local agricultural education programs,” Lucas said.
“The program has truly moved agricultural education programs in our state into the 21st century.” For a full list of award recipients, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture at 502-564-5126.
Greenfield-Central FFA attends leadership event
FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Greenfield-Central FFA Chapter of Indiana, recently participated in the District 8 FFA Leadership Contest on March 17. This competition gave students the opportunity to build and compete leadership qualities alongside other students.
Chase Layton, Kelly Beeker, Lauren Hunt and Holly Miller learned details of FFA’s rich history and competed in three rounds of the quiz bowl contest. The team won all three rounds and placed first in the district and will advance to the state contest in June at Purdue University. Also, Lauren Pfaff participated in the job interview contest with a prepared resume and goal of a job with Farm Bureau insurance.
Tera Fair placed first in the essay contest and will continue on to the state competition. Ashton Hudson and Pfaff participated in the food science demonstration with a demonstration of making soy milk by processing regular bin soybeans. They placed second out of eight teams. Taylor Walden placed third in the talent contest by playing a guitar and singing “Alyssa lies.”
Zach Reynolds and Sam Williams competed in the ag mechanics demonstration by sweating copper pipe.
As a chapter, Greenfield-Central placed first in the multi-media scrapbook contest by submitting a DVD of photos and chapter activities throughout the year along with captions and music, which was compiled by Lori Beeker.
The chapter exhibit is always a favorite contest of the Greenfield-Central FFA. This year’s theme was “Live with Pride, Serve with Passion.” Jaren Brown, Lori and Kelly Beeker, Zach Reynolds and Sam Williams spent many hours building a folding display board that featured a television playing a DVD the students compiled about the different ways FFA members have pride in FFA and agriculture; as well as the service that FFA members offer in their community and the world. Their work placed first and will advance to the state convention in June.
Additionally, Lori Beeker participated in the prepared public speaking contest with a speech about animal assisted therapy programs. In the ag issues competition, Lauren Pfaff, Sam Williams and Tera Fair offered a presentation on the benefits of opening agricultural trade lines to Cuba and placed second.
Miami East FFA sponsors coloring contest
CASSTOWN, Ohio — The Ag Awareness Committee of the Miami East FFA Chapter recently sponsored a coloring contest at Miami East Elementary. Students in the Kindergarten, first and second grades were given a farming harvest picture to color. FFA members evaluated the pictures and awarded first place to each homeroom. The results are as follows:
Kindergarten:
•Mr. Roeth – Isabella Fiessenger and Adi Weger
•Mrs. Richters – Jarrett Swigert
•Mr. Elifritz – Gracie Slone and Brooke Miller |
