~FFA Week
~Nomads
~Public Speaking
~Officer Applications
~Munson’s Fundraiser
1
Chapter Level
The Chapter Public
Speaking Contest was
held on 2/25/2015.
There were some great
speeches that were
given. Courtney
Wildowsky said, “The
speeches were
informative and
everyone did very well
as wells as being a wellorganized event.” The
first place speakers
were:
2
District Level
Congratulations to all
the participants from
our school! Our chapter
got first place in all
categories.
*Skye Budney for
prepared
*Skye Budney for
prepared
*Elliot Budney for
extemporaneous
*Elliot Budney for
extemporaneous
*Emily Sala for creed
*Emily Sala for creed
Monday
Some thoughts about the week
FFA Apparel
Tuesday
Alicia Stepp Chapter Co-Historian said,
“Flannel Friday was my favorite day
because plaid is official redneck
material.”
Camo Day
Wednesday
Official Dress
Olivia Drum said, “I really enjoyed
watching all the people participating
during the week.”
Thursday
Mr. Picard said, “I was pleased that many
students participated and I had a blast at
Nomads and can’t wait for it next year.”
Friday
There was also the teacher luncheon on
Wednesday. That is when teachers from
Lyman Memorial High School are served
a catered lunch. During the lunch waves
chapter officers are welcome to talk about
the program and what they do. The reason
why we do this is to educate the teachers
here about what our agricultural education
program does.
3
Career Day
Flannel Friday
To conclude FFA Week
our chapter voted on
going to Nomads
Adventure Park. This
was meant to be a fun
activity for our
members. Our kids
work very hard year
round and this was a
great way to reward
them. Scotty Smith
said, “It was a fun time
getting to get together
with the rest of the
chapter.”
These are some of the
members hanging out
together.
4
It’s that time again! Officer
applications have gone out and
have been collected. The
nominating committee is
organizing and will be meeting
within the month.
Munson’s raised $800 this year!
Thank you for all the members who
sold stuff this year.
5
Banquet this year is on May 28th, 2015.
It will be held at Lyman Memorial High
School. There will be dinner and desert
from 5:30 to 6:30. The program will
begin around 7pm. The Parent and
Alumni Association will be holding a
silent auction starting at 5:30. The
bidding will close at 6:45 sharp! Hope to
see you there.
Maple fest was on April 2nd right before school. Laura Smith said, “It
was very yummy!” There were many flavors of pancakes like
s’mores and chocolate chip. This was a chance for students to learn
about the natural resources that produce maple syrup. Students
were able to get pancakes as a reward for reciting a maple fact.
The farmer’s breakfast is a meal that costs what a farmer would
pay. It’s on May 30th and we will be serving from 7am-11am. The
Parent and Alumni Association will be hosting this as a fundraiser
for the chapter. It will be at the Lebanon Congregational Church.
We hope to see you there it would mean a lot to all the
members!
6
On April 1st, 2015 the Lebanon Regional FFA Chapter submitted several
applications in multiple categories for recognition at the state and national level.
FFA members submitted applications to run for state office, proficiency awards,
State degrees, American degrees, and State Star Farmer.
The Lebanon Regional FFA Chapter’s members submitted 14 American Degree
Applications; the American Degree is the highest degree that an FFA member can
achieve and less than .5% of the 615,000 FFA members achieve this in a year. This
year 14% of our FFA members have submitted an application to be award this
degree at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY in October 2015.
The following students submitted their American Degree Applications:
Victoria Abate- Bozrah, Megan Arndt- Franklin, Lauren Bauer- Lebanon,
Brittany Berube- Colchester, Christina Geary- Colchester, Kate NicholsLebanon, Kelly Pestey- Lebanon, Karl Rechlin- Franklin, Celine SicardColchester, Ethan Smith- Lebanon, Molly Stanavage- Colchester, Stephanie
Warner- Hebron, Joanna Weir- Hebron, and Katarina Woronik- Salem.
The following students submitted applications for their SAE projects to be
recognized at the state and potential national level. In years past we have had
multiple winners at the state and national finalists. There is a brief description of
what their SAE project was/is which was taken from their proficiency award
application
Megan Arndt- Ag Sales – Advisor- Mrs. Wildes
My SAE project is working at Norwich Agway which is a feed store for farm
animals and pets as well as home projects. When I first started I was just a cashier
now I am able to do so much more than that. My current responsibilities are:
inventory, working in the warehouse, carrying out bags, to helping people on the
phone or in person with any questions they have, and answering the phone.
7
Lilly Barton- Diversified Livestock- Advisor- Mrs. Grogan
My SAE project for 2013-2014 school year included raising three beef steers for
auction and slaughter, along with raising two dairy goats. I got started in this
project during May of 2013 when I took the steers up to the Big East Youth and
Jackpot cattle show, which is a regional show.
Emilia Blakeslee- Equine Entrepreneurship- Advisor- Mrs. Wildes
My SAE project is training an off the track thoroughbred for eventing and Pony
Club competition. My off the track thoroughbred's name is Quiet Lulu and she is
now five years old. I have been riding horses ever since I can remember and I
heard about retraining OTTB's from one of my riding instructors.
Skye Budney- Beef Production Entrepreneurship- Advisor- Mrs Grogan
My SAE project is raising, halter breaking and showing Hereford beef cattle.
Growing up on a beef farm, I learned at a very young age the process leading up
to and during a show. Luckily, my parents kept me interested throughout my
childhood and I absorbed as much information as possible. As I grew up, I was
given more responsibilities in working with the show cattle. I have learned so
much over the years including: herd health checks, feeding, assisting cows during
parturition, vaccinating as well as preparing for shows including: clipping, washing
& fitting.
Willow Chesmer- Ag Education- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
My SAE project is working for The Farmers Cow, a locally run dairy cooperation of
six family farms producing and selling milk as well as marketing and selling local
apple cider, eggs, cream, summer beverages, and ice cream. I attend farmers
markets and farm tours and use sales and communication techniques to sell the
company products. At each event I set up our station with pamphlets and Farmers
Cow themed decor and await the arrival of customers who are always filled with
questions about bottling, processing, whether or not the product is natural,
information about the farms, the cows and so much more.
8
Jamie Coleman- Sheep Production Entrepreneurship- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
For my SAE project I raise a flock of Romney and Southdown sheep. I started with
a Lincoln ram and ewe when I was five and I have continued to show the offspring
of my original sheep and have continued to grow my flock. My flock is currently
at over 30 head of sheep which I show throughout New England.
Justin Harlow- Poultry Production- Advisor- Mrs Grogan
For my SAE I raise a three part flock of mixed poultry at my house. The first part
of my flock is my laying hens that are housed in a free run area where they can be
either inside the coop or out in the 30 square foot run. The second part of my
flock is my show birds that I bring to shows around New England.
Justin Harlow- Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance- Advisor- Mrs Grogan
For my Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project I have an agricultural
repair and maintenance business. For my business I purchase broken or old
equipment including chainsaws, weed wackers, lawn tractors, lawn mowers, and
small tractors which I then repair and then sell to customers for a profit. I have
purchased these broken and older pieces of equipment on craigslist, from people
in my town and surrounding towns, as well as picking them up at the transfer
station in town.
Kacie Heath- Goat Production- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
For my Supervised Agricultural Experience project, I raise Nigerian Dwarf goats for
the purpose of breeding. It was my desire to begin in this area because I had
always wanted to own goats. Joining this agricultural program gave me the
opportunity to own and raise these creatures while being capable of improving
their living space, herd, etc. I first started in goat production the year of 2012 (my
freshman year) in hopes of finding at least 2 adult female goats.
9
Savannah Hoy- Diversified Horticulture- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
For my SAE project I work at Ladd's Garden Center located in South Windham,
Connecticut. While working there I have learned how to do several tasks related
to this proficiency. I started this SAE on May 1st, 2014 and since then I have been
exposed to several responsibilities and the horticulture industry. During the first
months of my employment I was responsible for deadheading and watering 2,000
annual packets, and assisting customers with picking out the perfect plants.
Ethan Smith- Diversified Ag Production- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
I have worked on my family dairy farm called Cushman Farms in Franklin,
Connecticut since I was ten years old. When I started working on the farm it was
in a job shadow position and consisted of me assisting my uncle, father, cousin,
and our new herd manager. I would assist them in any way possible and still do
today. Cushman Farms is a limited partnership that consists of 4 partners that
equally run the business, with each partner focusing on a key area of the dairy.
Besides working on the farm since I was young I have also been involved with
showing my working steers at fairs through the 4-H program since I was young.
With the pulling oxen it is a time for me to relax and spend time with friends
when fair season starts. I have had several pairs over the years and currently own
two pairs of steers that I show throughout New England.
Prescott Smith- Forage Production- Advisor- Mrs Wildes
For my SAE I work at Cushman Farm LLC in Franklin CT as a tractor operator and
field worker. The farm is run by my dad, his two brothers and there uncle. The
farm milks 1200 head of Holsteins and has another 1200 head of replacement
animals. My SAE consists of several different activities which include: moving
equipment around the farm, working in the fields spreading manure, getting the
fields ready for planting by picking rocks to make sure the field are smooth for the
planter, mowing grass fields and rolling the silage pile, and greasing and fixing
equipment when it breaks down.
10
The chapter also submitted three students for state stars, which is the highest
honor that an FFA member can earn on the state level. Those students were:
Skye Budney- State Star Farmer
Ethan Smith- State Star Placement
Jamie Coleman- State Star Agribusiness
The following students submitted a state degree application which means that
they have attended five activities beyond the chapter level, performed 25 hours
of community service, invested $1000 in their SAE project or worked 350 hours.
The students are:
Emilia Blakeslee, Willow Chesmer, Marissa Daglierre, Reilly Lanagan,
Elliott Budney, Molly Charland, Rebecca Stoddard, and Prescott Smith
Good luck to all the members!
11