Catch-Up

 Sometimes a couple of weeks go by before I get a chance to post pictures and this is one of those instances!

 We went to the State Fair on Thursday, September 3 and worked at the Pork Producers Booth serving food and helped at the FFA Animal Nursery.

 It's always a great day at the fair-the students work hard and they have a little fun as well.  It is especially exciting for those who are first-timers to the fair!

 On Monday, September 21, we were invited up to Stiegelmeier's crop tour up in Selby, SD. The crop tour highlighted test plots of soybeans and corn that were sponsored by Channel Seeds.  The event was very educational in nature and culminated with a delicious supper and presentation by an independent soil scientist who talked about important factors in soil health.

 Stiegelmeier's also have a seed business and we were able to tour that facility as well.  The seed is cleaned and treated in the shop seen above.  They raise foundation seed and sell it to customers in many different states.

 Another aspect of their seed business is selling cover crop seed, which can be planted for a variety of uses including livestock grazing, breaking up compaction, and building up Nitrogen and organic matter in the soil.

Here is our fearless leader at work in the Pork Producer's Booth!

Outside Projects

 We've had a busy month in our classes and FFA projects.  Last week, we started on a couple of fall grass seeding projects.

 Activities from this week have included putting up square bales of hay and putting tires on silage piles.  More pictures of activities to come soon!

FFA History with Warren Skinner

Our freshmen students visited with our neighbor, Warren Skinner, who was an FFA member in the late 1940's.  He shared about his experience going to National Convention and singing in the National FFA Band.  He also encouraged the students to step outside their comfort zones and try some new things in FFA.  Thank you for your support of our program!    

Woonsocket Range Judging School

 We had a great day yesterday at the Woonsocket Range Judging School.  The students utilized their knowledge of plants to evaluate sites for carrying capacity of livestock and grouse.  A huge thanks to the NRCS offices for their help in putting this event on!

Animal Science 2.1.2 Project

Here is a link that may help with a Biblical history of the animal you are studying: http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=DKv9MD4nWhA%3d&tabid=232&mid=76

http://www.bible-history.com/subcat.php?id=41

Watch what you call a weed!

We throw the term "weed" out loosely to describe plants which may not be desirable in certain locations.  Do "weeds" have any uses in God's design of our range-land ecosystems or are they simply a result of the fall?  Read the following article and answer the questions below.http://northcountryfarmer.com/?p=674&utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email

Questions (may either be printed and handed in our e-mailed to Andrew.Boersma@k12.sd.us )

1.  How many varieties of goldenrod are there in the United States and how many of those are native species?

2.  What is the taproot length of goldenrod and why is that length important?

3.  List 4 uses humans have for goldenrod:

4.  Why is goldenrod honey important?

5.  Does the term "weed" fit into a Biblical worldview of creation?  Why or why not?

In the Saddle Again

A quick officer vote determined that our August meeting be moved outside to a campfire.  We had a great first meeting looking ahead at the school year in front of us!

 Part of our meetings include devotions led by our chaplain.

 Food and fellowship are also an important component of our FFA meetings!

 Our classes have been studying range science and looking at the beautiful diversity God has given in his creation of range plants!

 The students are working hard identifying key plants and their characteristics.