Blue jackets adorned the auditorium at Pendleton County High School Sunday as Future Farmers of America members celebrated another year of accomplishments at the chapter’s banquet.
The future of agriculture is strong, and as the population continues to grow, so does the need for a healthy and abundant food supply. By working together, FFA members can transform the message of agriculture and continue to educate others on the importance of agriculture. Whether serving as a chapter officer or participating in community service, members learn how they can continue to grow as leaders, strengthen agriculture and support their local communities. Every FFA member makes a positive difference to those around them.
The Pendleton County FFA Chapter has 65 members.
After Braden McCoy led the invocation, FFA members and guests enjoyed a wonderful meal provided by Dean’s Gap Farm (Scott and Becky Rightsell).
The opening ceremony was presided over by Pendleton County FFA officers, Braiden Lantz, president, Selena Hedrick, vice president, Cole Day, secretary, Josh Parker, treasurer, McCoy, reporter, and Braden McClanahan, sentinel, and Ron Hudson, FFA advisor.
After a video presentation of the year’s highlights, special awards and presentations were made.
FFA Greenhand Degrees were awarded to Caleb Armentrout, Baylee Beachler, Timmy Bogan, Brady Bowers, Jacob Buck, Josey Collier, Lydia Heavner, McKenna Hedrick, Jacob Mitchell, Julie Mongold, Colton Pennington, Hanna Pennington, Hunter Roberts, Jenna Smith, James Stone, Johnnie Tidd, Makayla Tingler, Lucas Vandevander and Michael Waybright. To earn a Greenhand Degree, FFA members must enroll in an agricultural education program and have plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience, learn and explain the FFA creed, mission and motto and salute, describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors, demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics, the proper use of the FFA jacket, the history of the organization, chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter’s program of activities, have access to the official FFA manual and student handbook and submit a written application for the degree.
Heavner was awarded the FFA Star Greenhand Award. She participated in poultry judging and the freshman creed contest. She attended a regional meeting and sold more than 100 cases of fruit. She is the daughter of J.D. and Janice Heavner of Upper Tract.
Awarded to an FFA member who excels in the field of agriculture, the FFA Star Chapter Farmer Production award went to McCoy. He has had three different SAE programs: forage crops, beef cows and sheep. He has made over $16,000 while spending under $14,000. He has traveled across the country showing his lambs. He resides in Franklin with his parents, John and Terri McCoy.
The FFA Star Chapter Agribusiness Placement Award, which is given to an individual who excels in the field of agricultural business, was presented to Clayton Kisamore. Working at Kisamore Farm, he has been busy building fence, maintaining equipment, feeding animals, spraying brush, cutting cedars, painting and doing other jobs as directed. In the past three years, he has worked more than 700 hours. He is the son of Kevin and Wendy Kisamore of Seneca Rocks.
FFA members eligible to receive their State FFA degrees are McCoy and Lindsey Smith. In order to earn a State FFA Degree, members must have received a chapter degree, been an active member for at least two years, earned and productively invested at least $1,000 or have worked 300 hours outside of the classroom through an SAE, demonstrated leadership ability by performing ten parliamentary law procedures, given a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, served as an FFA officer or committee chairperson or committee member, maintained a satisfactory academic record, participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level and completed at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities.
The Farm Credit Award, which is presented to an FFA member who excels in recording keeping and management, was earned by Lantz. The award was presented by Greg Mitchell.
J.D. Heavner presented the annual Brandon Waggy Memorial Scholarship to Lantz.
Chapter leadership awards were presented to Heavner, McKenna Hedrick and Tingler, ninth grade; Tanner Rodgers, Bailee Kiger and Collier, 10th grade; Lindsey Smith, Selena Hedrick and Glenna Burns, 11th grade; and Lantz, Parker and McClanahan, 12th grade.
In the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development event, Heavner delivered the creed from memory and responded to three questions.
In land judging, a program that teaches basic principles of soil science and helps FFA members understand practices that can protect and conserve land, water and the environment, team members were Ryleigh Cook, Lantz, Camden Miller and Lindsey Smith.
The poultry judging team consisting of Heavner, Kiger, Lantz, McCoy and Lindsey Smith placed second in the state FFA career development event. Individually, McCoy and Lantz earned second and seventh places, respectively. Team members test their skills in the production, processing and marketing of chickens, turkeys, processed poultry products and eggs.
The Smith Golden Orange Award was presented to Lindsey Smith who sold more than 108 units of fruit.
Seven FFA members participated in the annual South Branch Ham, Bacon and Egg Show. Those members were Glenna Burns, Quenten Burns, Day, Selena Hedrick, Lindsey Smith, Lantz and McClanahan.
During FFA Week, students in grades preschool to third grade were given agricultural related coloring contest sheets. Winners of the annual coloring contest were awarded a medal at the banquet. Receiving this honor were pre-kindergarten – Marley Kimble, North Fork Elementary School, Wyatt Hevener, Brandywine Elementary School and Jase Mitters, Franklin Elementary School; kindergarten – Alex Plaugher, BES, and Rosalyn Nesselrodt, FES; first grade – Andelyn Vance, NFES, Elizabeth Wheeler, BES, and Sicily Flanigan, FES; second grade – Emiliee Morris Vance, NFES, Olivia Caplinger, FES, and Corina Simmons, BES; and third grade – Skye Dahmer, NFES, Bristol Bowers, FES, and Paige Warner, BES.
