Chapter Officer Retreat

Boonville FFA Officers Participate in a Retreat
By Deanna Thies, Boonville FFA Advisor

On July 15 & 16, 2009 the fourteen member Senior Officer team along with the two Boonville FFA Advisors traveled to Salem, Missouri for the annual officer retreat.  The two days were spent planning for the upcoming school year, working on the program of activities, evaluating the FFA calendar for 2009-2010, formulating recruitment ideas, and building teamwork.  The officer team also built teamwork through a canoe trip down the Current River.

Back to School BBQ
By Sheridan Potter, Assistant Reporter and Kenny Swope, Assistant Historian

On September 9, 2009, the Boonville FFA Chapter gathered together for the annual Back to School BBQ. Present at the BBQ were 68 members and 80 guests.  The BBQ was held in the ag./mechanics shop at the BETC. The members and their families came together to enjoy good food and each others company. Along with the BBQ, FFA officers presented information about the Boonville FFA Chapter.  Officer presented information about what FFA members do throughout the year, trapshooting, FFA dues, fundraising, conferences, camps, and the 2009-2010 FFA Junior officer team was introduced. Members of the 2009-2010 Junior Officer Team are:  President-Austin Timm, Vice President-Brennan Hammers, Secretary-Ethan Kempf, Treasurer-Jackie Esser, Reporter-Kathryn Rodman, and Sentinel-Will Twenter.

Boonville FFA Chapter Receives National Ranking
By Deanna Thies,  Boonville FFA Advisor

The Boonville FFA Chapter was recently selected from a group of 600 candidates, as a three-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program.  The chapter will be recognized during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN on October 21-24, 2009.  The selection was based upon an application that the 2008-2009 Vice Presidents completed and submitted to the Missouri State FFA Association in Spring 2009.  After the chapter was recognized as the 17th best chapter in the state, the application was sent onto national judging. 

A three-star rating is the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.  The chapter received a three-star rating by developing and conducting a detailed Program of Activities (POA).  The purpose of these activities is to help members excel in student, chapter, and community development.  Some of the chapters student development activities included encouraging first year members to attend leadership conferences and hold monthly FFA meetings; supporting mental & physical wellness for members through activities such as a Barnwarming Dance, class competitions during FFA Week, open gym, and a trap shooting team; and encouraging members to develop their Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs through filling out applications, exhibiting at fairs, SAE of the Month, and keeping accurate records.  Members helped to develop the FFA Chapter through 8th grade recruitment; holding FFA Week activities in February; and having leadership development activities, such as hosting the Super Farmer Contest during the Cooper County Youth Fair, recognizing members with high participation points with a trip to Six Flags, and having every member to serve on a POA committee.  The chapter helped to benefit the community by holding a Drive-By-Raking, in which members raked the yards of elderly community members; the chapter adopted two families for the Christmas season, wrote Christmas cards for nursing home residents, provided the nursing homes & hospital with fresh evergreen wreaths and poinsettias, and conducted a canned food drive benefiting the Harvest House; and also visited local elementary schools to educate students on the origin of their food through the Food for America Program. One-star, two-star, or three-star ratings are awarded every year to different chapters.          

Boonville FFA October Meeting
By Paige Friedrich, Boonville FFA Historian

The Boonville held its monthly meeting for October on October 19, 2009.  Items discussed included Barnwarming, canned food drive, and many other things.  Members also voted on what color they wanted their member in good standing t-shirts to be.  After these items were discussed, members joined into teams of four or five to participate in the mummy wrap game.  Members of each team had to warp an individual in toilet paper and then carry them through an obstacle course.  After the game, members enjoyed refreshments of juice and Halloween candy.

National FFA Convention
By Shelbi Potter, Boonville FFA Vice President

On October 21 through October 24, the Boonville FFA, attended the 2009 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana to learn how to “Lead Out Loud”.  Klinton Holliday, Tanner Dreschel, Will Twenter, Zach Kempf, Newt McGuire, Christian Loesing, Shelbi Potter, Abby Kircher, Kayla Page, Kayla Kempf, Paige Friedrich, and Allie Adair attended the Convention, and were accompanied by Boonville FFA Advisors Deanna Thies and Doug Henke. 

During convention, the Boonville FFA Chapter attended multiple convention sessions, the FFA Career Show, a hypnotist show, toured the NCAA Hall of Fame, and attended the Toby Keith concert.  On Wednesday, October 21, the Boonville FFA chapter attended the opening session of National Convention.  While at the first session the FFA members were able to see the National FFA Band march in and hear the guest speaker, Mike Rowe form Dirty Jobs, speak on finding the correct career for you and your place in life.  During Thursday, October 22, Boonville was awarded with the National Three Star Award. The Three Star Award is the highest award at the national level that a FFA chapter can receive and is based upon their Student, Chapter and Community Development activities.  

In between session, the members were able to attend the FFA Career Show with over 1,300 booths ranging from colleges, product suppliers, and agribusinesses from all over the nation.  The attendees were also able to view fellow Boonville FFA Chapter member, Newt McGuire’s Booth highlight his Agri-Entrepreneurship Award.  On Friday, October 23, Newt McGuire was recognized on the national stage as one of the ten nation winners of the Agri-Entrepreneurship Award. Newt McGuire received the Agri-Entrepreneurship Award for his lawn care business-Spectacular Lawn Service.    After the session the Boonville FFA Chapter was able to tour the NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Fame exhibit.  On Saturday, October 24, the members were able to witness Megan Friedrich, Keriann Friedrich, Audi Drechsel, Morgan Kuecklehan, and Genie Ward receive their American Degree, the highest degree an individual FFA member can receive. 

Boonville FFA Barnwarming 2009-“They Call This Thing a Rodeo”
By: Sheridan Potter-Asst. Reporter

On November 6th, the Boonville FFA members gathered together at the Cooper County Fairgrounds to celebrate Barnwarming. Members were able to enjoy each others company, watch the candidate games and coronation ceremony, enjoy good food cooked over the bonfire, share in the fun class competitions, and wrap up the night with a hayride.

The class competition was tug of war.  Each class competed against each other with the seniors being declared the overall winners. Along with class competitions, Barnwarming Queen and King candidates Jackie Esser and Ethan Bader-Freshman representatives, Melanie Pooke and Aron Widel-Sophomore representatives, Paige Friedrich and Tanner Drechsel-Junior representatives, and Abby Kircher and Jacob Costello-Senior representatives went through a timed obstacle course as part of the Queen and King Barnwarming selection.  These candidates were selected to represent their class by their peers, they then competed in coin wars during the week of Barnwarming with all money raised being used to purchase gifts for adopted families at Christmas time, and the final part of the competition was candidate games. At the end of the night Paige Friedrich and Jacob Costello were crowned the Queen and King of Barnwarming 2009. Daniel Kempf and Sheridan Potter, the 2008 King and Queen, gave the awards away to the winners. After the coronation, all the Boonville FFA members went on a hayride to end the Barnwarming 2009.

Boonville FFA Holds Greenhand and Chapter Initiation Ceremony and Junior Officers Installation
By Shelby Esser, Boonville FFA Reporter

In the FFA, Greenhands’ are first year members who have completed a certain set of requirements to earn their membership.  On Monday, November 16th, over one hundred people gathered to witness the 2009-2010 Boonville FFA Greenhand and Chapter Degree Ceremony.  The ceremony was held to recognize twenty-eight members receiving their Greenhand Degree, a certificate of accomplishment, and a bronze emblem pin symbolizing strength.  Thirty-five second year members, who have fulfilled another set of requirements, received their Chapter Degree, a certificate of accomplishment, and a silver pin.  Also that night, during the ceremony, the 2009-2010 Boonville FFA Chapter Junior Officers were installed.  The Junior Officer team consists of first year members that were selected to work under and learn from the Senior Officer in that position.  This year’s Junior Officer Team is made up of President Austin Timm, Vice President Brennan Hammers, Secretary Ethan Kempf, Treasurer Jackie Esser, Reporter Kathryn Rodman, and Sentinel Will Twenter.  Other things that were discussed at the ceremony were upcoming events such as adopt a family for Christmas, the upcoming Agricultural Greenhouse Holiday Plant Sale, and the delivery of fundraising items the first full week of December.  Following the conclusion of the ceremony, cookies and punch were served.

Boonville FFA December Meeting
By Paige Friedrich, Historian

            On December 16, 2009, the Boonville FFA Chapter held their annual FFA Christmas Party. The members wrote Christmas cards for the residents of the nursing homes and some extended stay residents of the hospital.  Following the community service activity, FFA members participated in a white elephant gift exchange and enjoyed refreshments of cookies and milk.  Forty-nine members participated in the Christmas festivities.

Boonville FFA Members Learn About the VSMART Program at MU
By Paige Friedrich, Boonville FFA Historian

On January 20th at 6:00 pm the Boonville FFA Chapter held their monthly meeting.  This meeting was run by the Junior Officer team.

During the meeting, two members of the VSMART MU Vet Med Program gave a presentation.   They talked about different requirements needed to be in the program and encouraged FFA members to get involved in Vet medicine and the VSMART program.

After the presentation, items discussed during the business session were the different activities coming up during FFA week.  These activities include dress up days, bowling, movie night, Ag Olympics, and truck and tractor day.  Other items discussed were news articles that needed to be written, state and area officer local selection, state degree prescreening and selection, speaking contests, local proficiency competition, and state choir and talent applications.  The chapters next monthly meeting will be held February 9th at 6:30 pm.  A Boonville FFA Booster Club meeting was held in conjunction with the chapter meeting.  Parents, alumni, and community supporters started planning the Booster Club Preview Show, the fundraiser hosted by the Booster Club to raise money to support chapter activities and student scholarships.

Following the meetings, members and guests enjoyed refreshments of cookies and punch.

Area VI Officer Training

Boonville FFA Officers Attend Area VI Officer Training
By Deanna Thies, Boonville FFA Advisor

On Monday June 2, 2008, the 14 Boonville FFA Senior Officers attended the Area VI Officer Leadership Training in Marshall, MO.  The training was held in conjunction with other officer teams attending from chapters in Area VI.  The day started with opening ceremonies led by the Area VI Officer team.  Shanna Mathews is representing the Boonville FFA Chapter as the Area VI Reporter on the Area VI Officer Team.  Each chapter officer was split into their respective groups to receive additional training about their office.  The chapter officer team met back together and participated in many team building activities.  The chapter officer team set goals and a motto for the upcoming school year.  The officers from every chapter learned many skills that will help them throughout the year. 

Area VI Greenhand & Chapter Leadership Conference

Boonville FFA Attends Area VI Leadership Conference
By Vicki Monk, Boonville FFA Junior Reporter

On September 16, 2008, twenty-one Boonville FFA members attended the Area VI Greenhand and Chapter Leadership Conference in Marshall, MO.  Sixteen Boonville FFA Greenhand members (1st year members) of  Carson Adams, Jesse Carter, Joe Cary, Cody Bachtel, Sam Cotton, Kelsey Fisher, Kayla Kempf, Blake Gerke, Vicki Monk, Jake Nelson, Kayla Page, Melanie Poock, Josiah Searfoss, Kenny Swope, Justin Swope, and Dalton Strodtman;  four Chapter Degree members (2nd year members) of David Mendoza, Alli Morton, Tucker Woodard, and Dalton Zimmerman;  Shanna Mathews, Area VI Reporter; and Deanna Thies and Doug Henke, Boonville FFA Advisors attended the conference. 

The conference began with all Greenhand and Chapter Degree members interacting with opening ceremonies and then was divided into the respective groups.  Greenhand members first listened to the National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Tyler Tenbarge of Indiana talk about FFA, leadership, and getting involved to be able to set goals and succeed in things.  After the national officers presentation, Greenhands were divided into groups to listen to the Area VI officers talk about FFA Camp, Washington Leadership Conference, leadership duties as FFA Officers, and contests and other activities in FFA.

While the Greenhands were in their program, the Chapter Degree members were recognized with their Chapter Degree pins.  After the ceremony, the members were able to listen to the national officer speak.

Following both groups activities, they reconvened together to have closing ceremonies.  All members had a fun time being able to interact with other FFA members and learn more about FFA.

September FFA Meeting
By Assistant Reporter Paige Davis

          On September 17, 2008, 40 FFA members filed into Miss Thies’s Agricultural classroom to attend the September meeting.  Jesse Monk, President, opened up the meeting and then turned it over to Andie Adair to introduce the guest speaker, Kelly Dyer, of the Pettis County FSA officer to talk to the members about Rural Youth Loans from the USDA/FSA, United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.  Loans are available to eligible individual rural youths ages 10 through 20 to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects.  The project must be of modest size, educational, and initiate, developed and carried out by rural youths participating in 4-H clubs, FFA, or a similar organization.  The loan funds can be used to finance many kinds of income producing agricultural projects.  For example, a youth could buy livestock, seed, equipment and supplies or use the monies for rent or repair on needed tools and equipment. They may also use funds to pay operating expenses for the project.  To apply or find out more you need to contact your local USDA service center or visit the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
            Other business discussed at the meeting was the final deadlines for the FFA fundraising sale orders, chapter t-shirt competition submissions, and National Convention applications.   Following the meeting FFA members enjoyed refreshments of donuts and lemonade and played a large game of kickball.   In conjunction with the chapter FFA meeting, the parent/supporter/alumni organization of the Boonville FFA Booster Club also held a meeting.

Boonville FFA Chapter Receives National Ranking
By Deanna Thies,  Boonville FFA Advisor

The Boonville FFA Chapter was recently selected from a group of 600 candidates, as a three-star winner in the National FFA Chapter Award program.  The chapter will be recognized during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN on October 22-25, 2008.  The selection was based upon an application that the 2007-2008 Vice Presidents completed and submitted to the Missouri State FFA Association in Spring 2008.  After the chapter was recognized as the 12th best chapter in the state, the application was sent onto national judging. 

A three-star rating is the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.  The chapter received a three-star rating by developing and conducting a detailed Program of Activities (POA).  The purpose of these activities is to help members excel in student, chapter, and community development.  Some of the chapters student development activities included encouraging first year members to attend leadership conferences and hold monthly FFA meetings; supporting mental & physical wellness for members through activities such as a Barnwarming Dance, class competitions during FFA Week, open gym, and a trap shooting team; and encouraging members to develop their Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs through filling out applications, exhibiting at fairs, SAE of the Month, and keeping accurate records.  Members helped to develop the FFA Chapter through 8th grade recruitment; holding FFA Week activities in February; and having leadership development activities, such as hosting the Super Farmer Contest during the Cooper County Youth Fair, recognizing members with high participation points with a trip to Six Flags, and having every member to serve on a POA committee.  The chapter helped to benefit the community by holding a Drive-By-Raking, in which members raked the yards of elderly community members; the chapter adopted two families for the Christmas season, wrote Christmas cards for nursing home residents, provided the nursing homes & hospital with fresh evergreen wreaths and poinsettias, and conducted a canned food drive benefiting the Harvest House; and also visited local elementary schools to educate students on the origin of their food through the Food for America Program. One-star, two-star, or three-star ratings are awarded every year to different chapters.          

October Trap Shoot

Boonville FFA Members Compete in the October District Trap Shoot
By Paige Davis, Assistant Reporter

            On October 4, 2008, the Boonville FFA Chapter had six teams compete in the Central District FFA Trapshoot and University of Central Missouri Open Shoot at the University of Central Missouri Shooting Range in Warrensburg, MO.  FFA members compete in a sixteen yard trap event.  A team consists of five shooters positioned at five different stations in which they rotate through to shoot five shots at each spot, shooting a total of twenty-five shells each.  During the district trapshoots, FFA members are scored on two rounds or fifty total clays shot.  Boonville FFA is very proud of Andrew Krumm for shooting a forty-nine out of fifty and securing the number one individual spot for October in the Central District Shoot and was the overall high individual in the UCM Open Shoot.  Boonville FFA’s highest ranking team grabbed third in the UCM Open Shoot with a total of 208 out of 250.  The other teams did very well and Boonville shows potential for the upcoming Central District Trap Shoots. 

October FFA Meeting

Boonville FFA Holds Their October Meeting
By Paige Friedrich, Boonville FFA Assistant Historian

            On October 20th, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Boonville FFA Chapter held its monthly meeting with about thirty-five members present. The meeting was run by President Jesse Monk and the newly elected Junior Officer Vice President Josiah Searfoss.  Also helping to organize and conduct the meeting were Haley Innes, Junior Secretary; Blake Gerke, Junior Sentinel; Vicki Monk, Junior Reporter; and Jake Nelson, Junior Treasurer.  The Junior Officer team is made up of first year FFA members who are interested in taken a more active role in the FFA chapter.  Items discussed during the meeting were the upcoming Barnwarming Dance, upcoming trapshooting events, canned food drive held jointly with Skills USA, Greenhand and Chapter Degree Initiation, and the annual Drive By Raking event, in which FFA members rake the yards of the elderly or handicapped in the Boonville community. 
Following the adjournment of the meeting, the FFA members present played the “Mummy Wrap Game”, in which a team of 6 people had to wrap a teammate with two rolls of toilet paper and then carry them through an obstacle course to the finish line.  After the game, the members enjoyed refreshments of cookies and juice.

National Convention

Barnwarming

Greenhand & Chapter Degree Initiation

Boonville FFA Greenhand and Chapter Degree Initiation
By Vicki Monk, Junior Reporter

On November 13, 2008, the Boonville FFA Chapter held their annual Greenhand and Chapter Degree Ceremony. There were 63  members and 93  guests present.  Also present were Dr. Paul Wooten, Director of Boonslick Technical Education Center, Brenda Campbell, Boonville R-I School Board President, and Dr. Mark Ficken, Superintendent of Boonville R-1 Schools.

The Senior Officers of the Boonville FFA Chapter led the meeting.  The senior Officers are: President-Jesse Monk, 1st Vice-President-Zach Kempf, 2nd Vice President-JJ Dillon, 3rd Vice President-Newt McGuire, Secretary-Shanna Mathews, Treasurer-Kayla Wassman, Reporter-Shelbi Potter, Assistant Reporer-Paige Davis, Sentinel-Daniel Kempf, Historian-Brittany Marshall, Assistant Historian-Paige Friedrich, Parliamentarian-Tanner Drechsel, Chaplain-Shelby Esser, and Student Advisor-Andie Adair.
           
The Greenhand Degree is awarded to first year members who have plans for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), be enrolled in an agricultural class, learn and explain the FFA Creed, motto, salute, and FFA mission statement, describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and identify important dates in FFA history. The candidates who received this award were: Carson Adams, Cody Bachtel, Christian Battistone, Colten Bennett, Haley Bishop, Jesse Carter, Joey Cary, Jacob Case, Breanne Clubb, Sam Cotten, Sumar Dowell, Blake Gerke, Dakota Gibbs, James Green, Ty Green, William Harris, Abby Humfeld, Haley Innes, Casey Inscore, Kayla Ivy, Kathryn Kammerich, Kayla Kampf, Chris McQuegge, Bryanna Middleton, Vicki Monk, Jake Nelson, Melanie Poock, Sheridan Potter, Hailey Quint, Jacob Rahmer, Tanner Ruffel, Josiah Searfoss, Landon Snoddy, Kristen Stevens, Justin Swope, Kenny Swope, Dalton Strodtman, Abby Taube, Cody Thurman, Aaron Trimble, John Watson, Aron Widel, Kelsey Fisher, Kyle Harvey, Tylere Dowell, Ricky Eberhardt, Meghan Green, Abby Kircher, Kayla Page, Jacque Jackson, and Nick Sandbothe. First year members of Kelsey Fisher, Kenny Swope, Kayla Kempf, William Harris, Jacob Rahmer, and Abby Kircher also presented the FFA Creed during the initiation ceremony.

Following the Greenhand Ceremony, the Junior Officers of the Boonville FFA Chapter were also installed.  The Junior Officers are: President-Kenny Swope, Vice President-Josiah Searfoss, Secretary-Haley Innes, Treasurer-Jake Nelson, Reporter-Vicki Monk, and Sentinel-Blake Gerke.  They led the ceremony for awarding the Chapter Degrees.

The Chapter Degree is awarded to members that have obtained the Greenhand Degree, completed at least 180 hours of schooling in agricultural classes, have an SAE, enrolled in an agriculture class, participated in three FFA functions, raises at least $150 in their SAE, and lead a class discussion.  The candidates who received their Chapter award were: Phillip Bellamy, Haley Davis, Paige Davis, Tim Derendinger, Tanner Drecshsel, Shelby Esser, Paige Friedrich, Lacy Green, Gavin Hall, Dillon Harvey, Nathan Hoff, Daniel Kempf, Christian Loesing, Michael Luscombe, David Mendoza, Alli Morton, Noel Schler, Daniel White, Tucker Woodard, Dalton Zimmerman, Jacob Costello, Jason Mannon, Sam Edwards, and Matt Loesing.

The meeting was adjourned by President Jesse Monk.  Refreshments were served and pictures were taken.

November Trap Shoot

Boonville FFA Members Compete in the November District Trap Shoot
By Paige Davis, Assistant Reporter

            On November 1, 2008, the Boonville FFA Chapter had six teams compete in the Central District FFA Trapshoot at the University of Central Missouri Shooting Range in Warrensburg, MO.  FFA members compete in a sixteen yard trap event.  A team consists of five shooters positioned at five different stations in which they rotate through to shoot five shots at each spot, shooting a total of twenty-five shells each.  During the district trap shoots, FFA members are scored on two rounds or fifty total clays shot.  Boonville FFA members are proud of Daniel Kempf who shot 46 out of 50, which allowed him to make the top ten..  Our highest ranking team, which consisted of Andrew Krumm, Kale Gentry, Shane Twenter, Tanner Ruffel, Ricky Eberhardt, and Michael Luscombe, secured fifth with a total of 203 out of 250.  Our other teams did very well and Boonville shows potential for the coming shoots. 

Boonville FFA Members Compete in the December District Trap Shoot
By Paige Davis, Assistant Reporter

            On December 6, 2008, the Boonville FFA Chapter had six teams compete in the Central District FFA Trapshoot at the University of Central Missouri Shooting Range in Warrensburg, MO.  FFA members compete in a sixteen yard trap event.  A team consists of five shooters positioned at five different stations in which they rotate through to shoot five shots at each spot, shooting a total of twenty-five shells each.  During the district trapshoots, FFA members are scored on two rounds or fifty total clays shot.  Boonville FFA is very proud of Jesse Monk for shooting a forty-seven out of fifty, securing second individual for December and Kale Gentry for shooting a forty-six out of fifty, securing third.  The FFA members are looking forward to the January District Trap Shoot on January 17, 2009.

Boonville FFA December Meeting
By Shelbi Potter, Reporter

            On December 17, 2008, the Boonville FFA Chapter held their annual FFA Christmas Party.  FFA members wrapped gifts to be given to four families in the community that were adopted by FFA, FBLA, & FCCLA.  The members also wrote Christmas cards for the residents of the nursing homes and some extended stay residents of the hospital.  Following the community service based activities, FFA members participated in a white elephant gift exchange and enjoyed refreshments of cookies and soda.  Forty-four members participated in the Christmas festivities.

Boonville FFA Members Clue in on Leadership
By Deanna Thies
Boonville FFA Advisor

On January 6, 2009, twenty-three first year members and an Area officer representing the Boonville FFA traveled to the University of Central Missouri campus in Warrensburg to participate in the Central District Greenhand Motivational Conference.  The FFA members had the opportunity to learn about being positive role models, making sound choices, becoming active team members, and making a positive difference in their school and community.

Through interactive workshops and skits, the State FFA Officers used a theme of “Clue” to motivate Greenhands.  They helped the new agriculture students set goals for their education, careers, and FFA experience.

January FFA Meeting
By Vicki Monk, Junior Reporter

On January 15, 2009, the Boonville FFA Chapter held its monthly meeting.  President Jesse Monk called the meeting to order.  The main topic of discussion was the activities for FFA Week February 16-22.  Some of the activities that members decided on were to have a truck and tractor day where members can bring their tractors to school, John Deere day to dress up in John Deere clothing, a barbeque lunch for FFA members, and movie night, and an open gym night.  This is one of the busiest weeks for FFA, but one of the most fun.

After the discussion was over, members played a game and had cookies and punch.  The meeting was adjourned by Jesse Monk.

Boonville FFA Members Compete In January District Trap Shoot
By Paige Davis, Assistant Reporter

            On January 17, 2009, the Boonville FFA Chapter had six teams compete in the Central District FFA Trap Shoot at the University of Central Missouri Shooting Range in Warrensburg, MO.  FFA members compete in a sixteen yard trap event.  A team consists of five shooters positioned at five different stations in which they rotate through to shoot five shots at each spot, shooting a total of twenty-five shells each.

During the district trap shoots, FFA members are scored on two rounds or fifty total clays shot. Boonville FFA's Kale Gentry shot a 45 out of 50, securing sixth high individual for January. The FFA members will next compete in April  2009 for the final District Trap Shoot and the State High School Trap Shoot.

February Meeting
By: Shelbi Potter, Boonville FFA Reporter

            On Tuesday February 10th, the Boonville FFA Chapter held its February meeting.  At this meeting members discussed Food for America and Recruitment by breaking into committees to begin planning.  For this year at Food for America, members want to bring in horses in addition to other animals and have a station that talks about the ingredients and creation of pizza. Some of the other stations that members are planning on having are farm safety and a conservation/wildlife station.  At the farm safety station, there will be a lawn mower, an ATV, and a tractor so FFA members can teach the students about proper use and safety equipment they should wear.  During the recruitment committee meeting, members talked about visiting LSE, New Franklin, Bunceton, Blackwater, and Prairie Home.  At recruitment, members want to play a game that will allow the audience to ask questions that the students may have about FFA and the agricultural program.  At the conclusion of the February meeting, the FFA members had refreshments and mingled with other FFA members.   The meeting was held in conjunction with the Booster Club Meeting.  Both organizations will be holding their March meeting on March 10th and 6:30 pm.

FFA Week
By: Shelbi Potter, Boonville FFA Reporter

            Tuesday, February 17 through Sunday, February 22, 2009, the Boonville FFA celebrated National FFA Week.  During National FFA Week, the chapter held special events every day throughout the week for FFA members to participate in.  On Tuesday, the FFA held camo day, in which all students in the school could dress in their camo gear, and during the night members watched We Are Marshall and played video games.  On Wednesday, the Boonville FFA members wore John Deere or International/Case IH clothing.  On Thursday, it was “Straight off the Farm” day, all members were served a BBQ lunch that FFA advisor, Mr. Henke, cooked with the help of a few of the FFA members.  Later that night members participated in open gym at the Open Bible Praise Center.  On Friday, FFA members drove their truck or tractors to school, wore crazy blue and gold with their FFA jackets, and participated in Ag Olympics during their agricultural class.  Ag Olympics is a knowledge based competition in which small groups compete against each other to see who knows the most about various agricultural topics.   On every dress up day, FFA members from the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior & Senior classes were chosen as winners for their outstanding or over the top outfits. On Sunday, FFA members went bowling at B & J Bowling Alley.  The Boonville FFA Chapter would like to thank the Open Bible Praise Center for allowing us to use their gym on Thursday and the Boonville Daily News for the FFA Week insert highlighting members’ accomplishments.  This year was a very successful year for National FFA Week.

Boonville FFA Holds Their April Meeting
By Paige Friedrich, Assistant Historian

On April 7, 2009, the Boonville FFA Chapter held its monthly meeting.  Items discussed during the meeting were State Convention which is held April 16 and 17 in Columbia, the Booster Club Preview Show on April 18, the State High School Trap Shoot on April 25, FFA Banquet on May 5, Food for America on May 8, and the May Meeting on May 12.

It was also announced that the Cooper County Horse Show forms will be available on the University Extension and Boonville FFA Websites. Also discussed was the upcoming chapter event of Food for America.  Members broke into their small groups and discussed what they were going to show and teach the students who attend Food for America.

BOONVILLE FFA WINS TOP CHAPTER AWARD
By Deanna Thies, Boonville FFA Advisor

Boonville FFA placed 17th out of 317 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 81st Missouri FFA Convention. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year.  Chapter activity awards, sponsored by FCS Financial, are given to chapters achieving excellence in student, chapter and community development. Boonville FFA Chapter advisors are Doug Henke and Deanna Thies.

The Boonville FFA Student Development activities encouraged member participation especially for first year members. Members were exposed early and throughout their FFA career to leadership activities, such as serving on officer teams and committees. Students attended motivational conferences and applied for junior office. Members also promoted their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects at county, area, district, state and national shows. An SAE of the month was chosen each month to reward students for exceptional work.

Chapter development activities are designed to promote excellence within the chapter. The Boonville FFA Chapter celebrated National FFA Week with activities each day. Recruitment occurred throughout the year, as well as during FFA Week by conducting sophomore visits with sending schools. Members developed programs to recruit eighth graders from local K-8 schools and sophomores from three area schools that send students to the technical center.

Boonville’s community development activities included a preview show hosted at the local fairgrounds. The preview show was a steer and heifer show that many people from around the state attended. Exhibitors stayed at the fairgrounds overnight or at local hotels and generated money in the community. Boonville members also helped out the community through a Drive By Raking for elderly members in the community, collected canned food items for the local food pantry, and collected/purchased items for several families during the Christmas season.

The top chapters are submitted to the National FFA Organization where they compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. The competition will be this fall at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

Boonville FFA Members Attend State FFA Convention
By Shelby Esser

State FFA Convention was held on April 16 & 17 in Columbia, MO.  Boonville FFA members attended State Convention to participate in career development events, be recognized for proficiency awards and State Degrees, attend leadership session, participate in State Courtesy Corps, and watch the chapter be recognized for a top chapter award.
At the convention, conferences take place ranging from leadership skills to agriculture education.  Most of the convention takes place in the Hearnes Center in Columbia. In the center members can listen to musical talents of other FFA members, observe sessions held by the State Officers, or watch the Degree Ceremony.  Members also have the opportunity to participate in the Courtesy Corps and the Career Show.  The Missouri State Convention is the highlight of the year for FFA members.  It is two days filled with competition, fun, and learning and it is a great opportunity for FFA members all over the state
Nine teams advanced to the state competition, Ag Mechanics the team took home a State Group II rating and Newt McGuire received an Individual Group I rating.  For Agricultural Sales the team took a State Group II rating also and Shelby Esser received an Individual Group I rating.  Dairy Foods received a State Group III rating, Dairy Cattle Judging received a State Group II rating and Tanner Drechsel took home an Individual Group I rating.  The Farm Management team rated in the State Group III, along with the Floriculture, Meats Evaluation, Knowledge, & Poultry teams.  The Boonville FFA Chapter Scrapbook, Haley Innes’s Beginning Placement Record book, and Andie Adair’s Complete Ownership Record book were displayed during State Convention because they received first place at Area contest.
During State Convention, the chapter was recognized as the 17th best chapter out of 317 in the state.  Newt McGuire, Dakota Sorrell, Jesse Monk, Dustin Wassmann, & Nick Fray were recognized on the state stage for having area winning proficiencies.  Nick Fray was also recognized as the State second place finisher in the Nursery Operations Proficiency area.  Nine members of the Boonville FFA Chapter also received their State Degree:  Andie Adair, JJ Dillon, Megan Friedrich, Morgan Kueckelhan, Shanna Mathews, Jesse Monk, Amanda Morton, Kendra Morton, & Dustin Wassmann.  Kenny Swope was also selected to be a member of the All State FFA Honor Choir.

Boonville FFA Holds the Final Meeting of the Year
By Shelby Esser, Boonville FFA Reporter

The May meeting of the Boonville FFA Chapter was held on May 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm.  The Boonville FFA Chapter discussed the upcoming summer events and the activities calendar.  The meeting was led by Miss Thies, FFA Advisor, reminded everyone to sign up for summer SAE visits and to make sure they watch the mail for the assigned shift at the food stand during the Cooper County Youth Fair.  The announcement of the end of the year trip to Six Flags was also discussed, which allows members with over 150 participation points to attend.  Members also began signing up for the Super Farmer Contest committee, a free event for Cooper County and surrounding youth to participate in during the Cooper County Fair.  To end the meeting the members had the chance to participate in a scavenger hunt and refreshments were served including ice cream, with many different choices of toppings.

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