Chadwick FFA has been as active as ever this year.
We hosted all Area 12 schools at the Area 12 Greenhand Conference in October. Chadwick FFA members were responsible for ushering 200 area Greenhands around and helping Area 12 officers with leadership activities.
Students attended Farm Fest the first weekend of October where they learned about and explored different aspects of agriculture, from miniature donkeys to farm implements.
Matthew Wheelock, Haley House, Kial Ward, and Kara Maggard attended National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. While at convention, students were given the opportunity to attend leadership sessions and degree ceremonies with 50,000 other members in a sea of blue corduroy at Lucas Oil Stadium, playing field for the Indianapolis Colts, and Bankers Life Field house (formerly known as Conseco Field house, home of the Indianapolis Pacers).
Members also visited an organic dairy farm, where they sampled organic chocolate milk and ice cream as well as learned about a niche agriculture market.
Students attended Carley Elk Farm to learn about whitetail deer and elk management and sampled elk burgers; attended Indy Scream Park where they enjoyed haunted houses and corn mazes; and got a little lesson in corn field management.
November was kicked off with Area 12 barn warming in Branson put on by area officers including Chadwick’s own Area 12 President Matt Wheelock, where 570 members danced the night away and demolished 100 Domino’s pizzas.
Juniors and Seniors also got the opportunity to tour the Missouri State University Darr School of Agriculture, where they learned about degree opportunities and possible student organizations to participate in.
The day before Thanksgiving break brought on our annual Make a Difference Day. Students raked yards, hung Christmas lights, fixed fence at the Community building, and got the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chadwick history while taking inventory at the Chadwick Museum.
What’s next for Chadwick FFA? Officers will be going on a date-night to eat and shop for the Christmas Crusade being held at school. Freshmen will attend Greenhand Motivational Conference in January, and we will still be holding a labor auction (date to be determined, but it will happen!), with much more to come!
–Katie Griffith, Vocational Agriculture & FFA Advisor
