Continuing their holiday tradition, the Black River FFA chapter hosted its annual Cookies and Crafts with Santa event Dec. 7, at the Black River Elementary School. Over 150 Black River students from preschool through fifth grade participated in the fun-filled evening.

The FFA Chapter provided the elementary students a wonderful experience after school to meet Santa and participate in a variety of arts and crafts activities. The crafts included beaded wreath and candy cane ornaments, reindeer food to sprinkle on their lawns on Christmas Eve and making Christmas cards that will be delivered to local farmers. The evening ended with a special visit and story time with Santa. In addition to the crafts, a variety of Christmas games were enjoyed by all.

The following FFA members attended the event: Madison Bias, Billy Blicha, Noelle Cross, Melanie Grove, Jenna Hamilton, Allison Herbert, Kiersten Hendershot, William Warner, Brianna Englehart, Mandy Yoder, Christyne Hall, Callee Aviles, Nathaniel Clifford, Eric Cordonnier, Mya Kunsman, Cassidy Mrakuzic, Brandon Weidrick, Tessa Sprinkle, Rebecca Stroud, Hannah Abfall, Kailee Baker, Molly Cordonnier, Katlyn Kubitz, Kaitlyn Long, Alexa Shearer, Anna Shearer, Hayley Rickey, Hope Diaz, Shay Ladina, Kelly Wilson, Chloee Howard, Amanda Mycek and Joseph Warner.

The FFA would like to thank the Black River FCCLA organization and Mrs. Demczyk for assisting in the evening activities and making cookies for the activity. The chapter would like to thank elementary principal, Mrs. Luth and all the people who made this event possible.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
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Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
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Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
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Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
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Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
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Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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