CV FFA Members Return Victorious from 87th Pennsylvania FFA Convention

34 members of the Cumberland Valley FFA chapter recently returned from participating in the 87^th annual Pennsylvania FFA State Convention held annually at The Pennsylvania State University in State College. Two teams of students and one individual earned the privilege to represent Pennsylvania at the next level of competition this fall. Additionally, several students were awarded State Proficiencies for their work in Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects which can range from raising livestock, conducting AgriScience research projects, or exploring career options in a certain agriculture field.

Each FFA member attending is required to participate in a Career Development Event (CDEs). CDEs evaluate a student’s ability to perform skills and tasks necessary for various jobs in the agriculture field.  At the state level, Pennsylvania offers approximately 30 contests for students to compete in—every segment of agriculture is represented with contests like Livestock Evaluation, Parliamentary Procedure, Food Science, Ag Mechanics, and many more.

The Environmental & Natural Resources Team, consisting of Shannon Dolan, Anna Pauletta, Mallory Taramelli-Dickinson, and Galen Witmer placed 1^st in the state and earned the right to represent Pennsylvania at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this October. The team had to develop a 10-minute presentation regarding a land development issue and also compete in the Aquatics and Wildlife contests. Anna Pauletta took 1^st place individual in the Aquatics competition while Galen Witmer was 5^th place individual in the Wildlife competition.

ENR team members pose after being recognized on the convention stage.
Senior Shannon Dolan, Junior Anna Pauletta, and Sophomores Mallory
Taramelli-Dickinson and Galen Witmer comprise the state-winning team.

 Ethan Cohn was the 1^st place individual in the Job Interview competition in a field of more than 40 students and will be representing Pennsylvania at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this October. Ethan completed 2 rounds of job interviews, a phone interview, networking activity, and also submitted a resume, cover letter, and thank you letter.

Ethan Cohn has honed his skills in the Interview Contest. He has competed in this
CDE for the past 4 years and improved each year. He exceeded his goal of
reaching the final four by winning himself a trip to Indianapolis, IN!

The Farm Business Management Team, consisting of Terrin Brammer, Killiann George, Megan Myers, and Taylor Quigley placed 2^nd and will represent Pennsylvania at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts this September. The team analyzed farm income statements, budgets, and made recommendations for which scenarios would be more profitable to the farm business. Killiann George was the 2^nd place individual in the contest.

The Farm Business Management Team is excited to represent Pennsylvania FFA
at the Big E competition in September. Killiann George, Terrin Brammer, and
Taylor Quigley accept the 2nd place plaque.

Other high-placing teams and participants are listed below with their placings:

·         Horse Evaluation (3^rd place)-Emiliann Goodhart, Cheyenne Murlatt, Makayla Thickey, and Paige Smith

·         Agricultural Sales (3rd place)-Courtney Walter, Victoria Howell, Morgan Lettich, and Sabrina McClintock

·         Agriscience Fair—Food Science Division Winner-Megan McGee

·         Agriscience Fair—Animal Science Division Winner-Killiann George

·         National Chapter Award-4th place Gold & advancing for National Evaluation (prepared by 2015-16 FFA Officer Team)

4 CV FFA members were also recognized on stage for their outstanding SAE programs and earned recognition as a State Proficiency Winner. State winners earned $250.00 and will move on for evaluation at the National level this July.  State winners are identified below in their respective categories.

·         Beef Production Entrepreneurship-Mackenzie Yorlets (State Winner)

·         Equine Science Placement-Cheyenne Murlatt (State Winner)

·         Equine Science Entrepreneurship-Emiliann Goodhart (State Winner)

·         Sheep Production-Wyatt Dale (State Winner)

America's Farmers Grow Rural Community Grant

Cumberland Valley FFA has received a $2,500 donation from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and directed by local farmer Ron Stover of Carlisle, Cumberland County. The donation will help the organization upgrade classroom technology for Agriculture Education students and FFA members to utilize while preparing for large agricultural advocacy events, such as Agventure Day and Ag in the Valley. New technology will aid in effectively developing FFA members’ skills in Agricultural Communications.

“I hope this donation will help the FFA chapter continue to develop leaders in agriculture and learn about the need for promoting agriculture within our community,” said Stover. This is the second Growing Communities Grant that Stover has directed to the Cumberland Valley FFA chapter.

Cumberland Valley FFA is one of the largest student organizations at Cumberland Valley High School boasting 175 members from grades 9-12. The chapter conducts numerous FFA events throughout the year that develop a student’s potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. “We are very fortunate to have received this farmer-directed donation to obtain new technology to continue learning about the need for agricultural advocacy. The chapter thanks the Stover family for thinking of our organization,” said Alicia Gates, chapter President.

For six years, America’s Farmers Grow Communities has collaborated with farmers to donate over $22 million to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America. Winning farmers will direct donations to nonprofits to help fight rural hunger, purchase life saving fire and EMS equipment, support ag youth leadership programs, buy much needed classroom resources, and so much more.

School board member Barb Geistwhite (left) and Ag Advisory Board Member
Nancy Griffie (right) pose with members of the Cumberland Valley FFA
Officer Team after receiving the check from Monsanto on February 21, 2016.
Chaplain Emiliann Goodhart, Treasurer Anna Pauletta, President Alicia Gates, and
Vice-President Mackenzie Yorlets hold the $2,500 donation which will be used to
purchase Ipads for the Agriculture Department.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities partners with farmers to support local nonprofit causes that positively impact farming communities across rural America. Grow Communities is one program in the America’s Farmers community outreach effort, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Other programs include America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, which encourages rural youth to remain in agriculture and provides $1,500 college scholarships to high school and college students pursuing ag-related degrees and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, which works with farmers to nominate rural school districts to compete for $10,000 and $25,000 math and science grants. Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to learn more.

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About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.