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You could say FFA members do it best! Since the beginning of 2023, we have been nonstop. From state degrees to plunging into the cold water, we have had a full schedule.

At the beginning of the year, FFA members started applying for their state degrees. A state degree is the second highest degree you can earn as an FFA member. This degree has many requirements that extend from your first day in FFA to the day you apply for your degree, typically your junior year.

To earn this degree, members must have productively invested $2,500 toward their SAE. An SAE is a Supervised Agricultural Experience, which could range from raising an animal to sell or working at your local boat docks. Members also have to have 25 hours of community service and participate in eight activities above the chapter level. We had 10 members receive their State FFA Degree this year.

Shortly after that, we encountered National FFA Week. During this week we hold spirit week and our annual Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast. This breakfast requires our members to be up bright and early to help make and serve the breakfast and for members to donate items in order to make it happen.

During all of this, members were working hard to obtain sponsorships for the annual Roaming Shores Polar Bear Plunge. Each member that receives a $55 sponsorship gets to brave the cold waters of Roaming Shores. The money raised goes toward the Jeffery B. Meddock Scholarship Fund, which an FFA member has the ability to receive. PV FFA had a total of 46 members obtain these sponsorships! Therefore, we won BOTH revolving trophies, the most jumpers and the most money raised. We even convinced our principal, Mr. Jackson, to brave the cold water!

Currently our juniors and seniors are learning how to use our brand new CNC machine to make their welding projects this year. The sophomores are learning how to weld in order to make their very own jack stand project. Finally, our freshmen are learning the basics of woodworking by using the saws and machines to make a birdhouse.

Soon we will be planning our annual banquet. Our banquet is where our new officer team will be revealed. Members wait for this day every year and spend weeks preparing for it. From filling our officer applications to simply setting up chairs and tables, every member gets the chance to participate in our banquet.

PV FFA is in its busiest season. Upcoming events include our banquet, livestock judging, Ag Day, Career Day, and State FFA Convention. We look forward to seeing you at our events!

Submitted by Sydney Morrison, the Pymatuning Valley FFA Secretary and a Farm Bureau member.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.