Black River FFA

img_0398

Thirteen Black River FFA students and Advisor Mrs. Howard attended the Ohio FFA State Convention in Columbus May 2-4. At the convention, the students had the opportunity to listen to motivational speakers, gain valuable leadership skills, engage in educational tours and receive recognition for their hard work among over 8,700 members and guests.

On the way down, the group made a trip to Allmendinger’s Sawmill. The students toured the family-owned and operated sawmill that provides service and quality products to Ohio and surrounding states. The students watched logs go through the entire process from unloading the truck to the final products: boards and chips. After the sawmill, the group visited another locally and family-run business, Baker’s Acres. Owner Chris Baker explained to the group how they raise and sell over 4,000 varieties of plants and specialize in several types of coleus and succulents. Each member was given a succulent to take home as a souvenir. Following the tour, the students enjoyed an evening at Sky Zone Trampoline Park.

On Thursday, the chapter started off at Anthony Thomas Chocolates. The tour included a step-by-step process of the cocoa bean, and ended with a delicious buckeye candy. Our next stop took us to Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn facility. All four tours provided the group with several different aspects and opportunities within the agriculture industry.

This year was an exceptional year for the Black River FFA Chapter as students received a number of awards at the convention. Receiving the first awards of the convention were Treasurer Anna Shearer; Secretary Cori Aviles; and Reporter Hannah Abfall. Each of the officers received recognition on stage and were awarded gold pins for earning a State Gold Rating on their officer books.

The next group of students to receive recognition were those with exemplary SAE programs and have earned their Ohio FFA State Degrees. This year, Breanna Clifford, Morgan Czarny, Hannah Heath and Jeff Owen represented Black River High School as four of the elite Ohio FFA members to earn the degree. Breanna’s SAE project consists of raising market dairy beef, lambs and goats at Clifford Farms. Morgan works at Stout Kennels caring for dogs. Hannah worked in the office and grounds at Rustic Lake Campgrounds, and Jeff earned his State Degree working on his family dairy farm; H.B. Owen Dairy.

In addition to members receiving individual awards, the chapter also received recognition for earning a Gold Rating on its National Chapter Award application. The National Chapter Award program recognizes the elite FFA chapters in the state of Ohio that successfully complete an annual Program of Activities, which includes a series of activities designed to encourage its members to grow as individuals, to work as part of a team and serve others. It is a summary of all of the activities that the students and chapter participate in and grow within student, chapter and community development. The application will advance for review at the national level, where the Black River FFA chapter will also be recognized at the National FFA Convention in October.

The students also had the opportunity to participate in a community service project and leadership workshops at the convention. With our help, FFA members from all over Ohio helped to pack 88,000 meals as part of the Ohio FFA Fights Hunger service project. The project was made possible by the hundreds of volunteers and donations from the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Bob Evans and the Ohio FFA Foundation.

The following students attended: Callee Aviles, Chloee Howard, Molly Cordonnier, Cassidy Mrakuzic, Katlyn Kubitz, Rebecca Stroud, Madison Bias, Nathan Clifford, Cori Aviles, Joe Mennell, Hannah Heath, Alexa Shearer and Breanna Clifford.

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.
Mandy Way's avatar
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.
Ernie Welch's avatar
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.
Matt Aultman's avatar
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.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
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.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
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.
Jared Hughes's avatar
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.
Austin Heil's avatar
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.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: