August 2024 FFA e-Update

AUGUST 2024 FFA E-UPDATE

Full Chapter Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday September, 3rd: by Lora Larison

As the school year and FFA events get rolling, so do our monthly chapter meetings. The 2024-25 chapter officer team would like to invite all members to our September meeting on Tuesday 9/3 during CRT. We will kick off the year with officer reports, new business, door prizes, and refreshments! The agenda will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages for members and parents to view. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Late Summer FFA Points Trip: by Lane Pruett

On September 22nd, we will be having our yearly FFA Late Summer Points Trip. This year’s trip will be to a Royal vs. Giants baseball game in Kansas City. We will leave for the trip at 9:00 am, and we expect to be back around 8:00 pm. Only the top 30 most active members will be able to attend. Letters and the process to RSVP will come out the first week of September.

National FFA Nursery CDE Team Prepares for Nationals

After qualifying for nationals last spring, the Nursery and Landscape Team is hard at work preparing for the National Career Development Event held on Wednesday, October 23 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national team members are Jacob Huyett, Jace Huyett, Madeline Bontrager, and a fourth team member to be named in the next week or so. 

The event involves identification of nursery plant specimens, knowledge of common landscape disease and disorders, a written test over the industry, interpretation of landscape design and a large team challenge. The team portion of the event will have students pre-trip check and operate landscape equipment, install or plan for planting or hardscape features, and work overall as a team to accomplish the tasks.

Good luck to this group as they prepare to represent Holton and Kansas at the national level!

Shipping Containers Arrive - New Storage for Ag Ed Department

On Thursday, August 29 the Ag Department received two shipping containers purchased with funds from the Ingels Family Ag Ed Trust. These will be used for storage of classroom teaching supplies, shop materials, metal, lumber, and greenhouse items. Thank you to Sabetha Sales and Transport for the outstanding service and to Mike Porter and Francis Haverkamp with the USD 336 Maintenance department for their help getting them in place.

NE District Fall Area Ag Teachers Meeting

On August 28, Mr. Bartel and Mr. Larison attended the NE District Fall Area Meeting and Inservice held in Oskaloosa. They participated in a business meeting, confirmed FFA calendar dates for FFA events this year and received inservice on the FFA Proficiency Award Application process. Mr. Larison also presented inservice to teachers over the FFA Nursery and Landscape CDE. 

Members Volunteer to Serve Annual Farm Bureau Banquet: by Addison Bontrager

On Sunday August 25th Lora Larison, Lucas White, Lane Pruett, Addison Bontrager, Maddy Bontrager, Dylan Anderson, Elisa Bartel, and Noah Bartel all helped serve at the Annual Farm Bureau Banquet with neighboring chapters- Jackson Heights and Royal Valley. Members seated people, served food, helped set up and clean up, and socialized. What a great way to help out!

Welcome the 2024-2025 FFA Officer Team! by Dylan Anderson

On August 22, we had five candidates interview with a committee to find their fit for our officer team! Our president is Ms. Lora Larison, she has been a part of the officer team for 3 years! Our vice president is Ms. Madeline Bontrager, she has also been on the officer team for 3 years! Next, our secretary, Ms. Addison Bontrager taking on the role as a sophomore! Wow! Our treasurer is Ms. Dylan Anderson, our running treasurer for 2 years now. Last, but not least, our reporter Mr. Lane Pruett, also a new officer! Let’s wish this team good luck and a successful year!

FFA Parent/Advisor Meeting

On Thursday evening, August 22 the advisors hosted a parent meeting in the HS commons area. Event calendars were shared along with the chapter handbook. If you did not receive a copy please let us know and we can send one home. Main advice was given is to jump in and try something in FFA this year.

Bartel Selected for National FFA Band: by Maddy Bontrager

Elisa Bartel has been selected to join the National FFA Band for the second consecutive year. A talented flutist, Elisa is an active member of the Holton High School Marching, Pep, and Concert Bands. She has also earned a spot in the Kansas State FFA Band for three consecutive years throughout her high school career.

Two Holton Members Announced National FFA Proficiency Finalists

Congratulations to our four state FFA proficiency award champions on receiving their National Rankings. 

Delaney New and Lora Larison were both named National Finalists (Top 4 in the Nation) They will interview with a panel of judges the 3rd week of September and a national champion in their areas will be named on stage in Indianapolis on October 24th and 25th.

Madeline Bontrager finished in the National Gold Division for Ag Processing which put her top 8 in the nation. Lucas White finished in the National Silver Division in Forest Management, top 20 in the nation. 

Katina Bartel to Receive American FFA Degree

Congratulations to Katina Bartel for earning the Gold Key of the American FFA Degree. She will receive this honor on October 26 in Lucas Oil Stadium at the National FFA Convention. We are proud of you Katina.

Conservation Speech Scheduled for Wednesday, October 16:  by Adalyn Bartels

The Jackson County Conservation Speech Contest is Wednesday night, October 16th. Time and place is at the USDA office around 6PM. The topic is “One Water”, if you are interested please let Mr. Larison or Mr. Bartel know and they can get you more information. 

From the Kansas FFA News Update -> Gift of Blue Announcement

Attention Kansas FFA members! Don't miss out on the opportunity to apply for a Gift of Blue Grant to receive an FFA jacket. This is your chance to wear the blue and gold and represent your chapter proudly. Apply now!  The deadline for applications is September 15. 

A new sponsor for the Gift of Blue Program is the McDonalds of the Southern Plains. Each participating Kansas McDonald's store will award a jacket to a local FFA member. Don't delay. Apply today!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

-September 3 - Full FFA Chapter Meeting during CRT

-September 5 - State Fair Items brought to school for entry

-September 15 - Chapter Trip to Kansas State Fair

-September 15 - Gift of Blue Grants Due to State FFA

-September 18 - NE District Greenhand Conference at Silver Lake

-September 22 - Late Summer FFA Points Trip to a Royals Game

-September 24 - National FFA Proficiency Finalist Interview - Delaney

-September 25 - Fall CDE Day: NE District Land, Homesite, and Nursery CDE’s

-September 26 - State FFA Land and Homesite at Beliot

-September 26 - National FFA Proficiency Finalist Interview - Lora

-Middle School FFA Meeting - TBD

This edition of the Holton FFA e-Update published August 30, 2024 by the Holton FFA Leadership Team and Ag Leadership Class. If you have submissions or ideas to include in the future please contact Lane Pruett, Holton FFA Reporter.