Wrapping up a productive semester

 Our plant science class was privileged to have Mr. Stiegelmeier come and share about opportunities with cover crops.  Mr. Stiegelmeier sells cover crop seeds around the region and farms near Selby.  

 The plant science class has also been investigating energy in feeds and this lab finds us burning feed samples in the shop and measuring energy content.  You may have to tilt your head sideways on these pics as the teacher has given up on trying to rotate them!

 Congratulations to Samantha for finishing in 10th place at the State FFA Prepared Public Speaking event in Pierre earlier this month.  She also enjoyed hanging out with her friends from the Miller FFA group.  

That is going to wrap up the pictures and posts for this semester.  Stayed tuned for more updates starting in January with the spring classes and activities!

Hay Storage

Read the following article posted on SDSU's I-GROW website: http://igrow.org/news/minimizing-storage-loss-on-hay/ and answer the following questions:
1.  What hay storage techniques do you have experience with?

2.  Who conducted the research that SDSU is relying on for this article?

3.  Is that research legitimate for South Dakota?

4. What are the advantages of hay that is stored inside a barn?

5. Why is inside storage of hay not always a  feasible option for producers?

6. What alternatives do you have if inside storage of bales is not available?

7. Research the cost of both Prairie Hay and Alfalfa Hay in South Dakota and report the price per ton and cite your source!

November News

 We received our FFA jackets and the 9th and 10th grade students tried them on for class today.  The Exploring SD Ag class had a friendly Parliamentary Procedure competition between the 9th and 10th graders.  The Plant Science class held a spirited debate on GMO's and did a great job covering the major points in this issue.  

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 On Friday, November 7th, two students competed at our district FFA Leadership Career Development Event in Public Speaking and Job Interviewing.

Congratulations to Sam for moving onto the state competition in Pierre!

We  picked a cold day to visit Dakota Lakes Research Farm and talk to Dr. Beck about crop rotations, GMO's, and the importance of tying in science with our agricultural practices.  Thanks again to Dr. Beck for hosting us this year!

Transplanting an Ash Tree

Our fall tree transplanting continues.  This week we tackled an ash tree on campus that is probably at least 12 years old.  The tree was growing into another tree and had to either be moved or cut down.  

 The students all got a work out with digging dirt and cutting roots.  With a little help from the skid-steer, we were able to dig it out and transplant it on campus.

3 of the students helped steady the tree as we transported it across campus.

 After digging the tree out, a new hole had to be dug to put the tree into.

Here is the tree's final resting place.  We hope that it survives the stress and takes off again this spring!

Assignment for the week of November 3

Read the following article http://www.marketplace.org/topics/sustainability/old-old-old-macdonald-had-farm and answer the following questions:

1.  How is the average age of the American Farmer changing?

2.  What are 3 of the challenges mentioned for younger people to get into farming?

3.  Why is the NYFC requesting for loan forgiveness for young professionals in agriculture?

4.  How is FFA preparing students for success in agricultural careers?

5.  Do you think the government should be involved in granting loan forgiveness to farmers and ranchers?  Why or why not?  (1 paragraph answer)

 

Tree Transplanting

 The Exploring SD Ag class worked hard as a team and transplanted a spruce tree on campus which had been growing into another tree.  With 8 shovels and a pry-bar going, the students made quick work of digging the tree out and digging a new hole in the campground area for the tree.

Here is a picture from a silage tarp we put on a couple of weeks ago.  It looks like the girls are walking on the clouds!

Technology in Agriculture

Watch the following video at http://www.connectedfarm.com/ (look on the lower right hand side and press the red triangle) and the questions posted below:
1.  List 3 ways technology was being utilized in this video:

2.  What do you think the future holds for precision agriculture technology?

3.  How does precision agriculture technology fit with a Biblical worldview?

A Biblical worldview

So often we talk about the term "Biblical worldview" here at SBA, and rightfully so, for it is the foundation for all of life.  Our very purpose rests in understanding God, His Word, and His creation which he has given us stewardship of for His glory!  Check out this biography of George Washington Carver, which gives a clear picture of a Biblical worldview lived out in his life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wv4qYIyJoM&feature=youtu.be

Questions for Plant Science and Leadership Class:

1.  Where did George Washington Carver earn his college degree and what made that degree so unique?

2.  What was the problem with planting cotton in the southern states?

3.  Why did Carver plant legumes such as peanuts and sweet potatoes?

4.  List 6 different products that came from Carver's work with peanuts and sweet potatoes:

5.  What was the name of Carver's lab?

6.  Why did he lock the door to his lab when working?

7.  Does the Bible tell about peanuts (summarize Carver's response):

8.  How does Carver illustrate a Biblical worldview in his life?  Describe someone you know who illustrates a Biblical worldview in their occupation in agriculture:  (2 Paragraph response)

Fun on the Silage Pile

Fall is a great time to be able to help neighbors with putting a tarp on their silage piles.  Each neighbor has their own unique way of protecting their silage pile from the elements.  Today, it was a little windy and all hands were kept busy as we rolled out the tarp and tried to keep it from flying away.  The students did a great job jumping in wherever a hand was needed and we were only a couple of minutes late getting back for their next class.

Turn the Calendar-October is here!

 On October 1, 4 students participated in the Central Area Range Judging Competition.  This was all their first time competing in a range competition and they did well, finishing 6th out of 9 teams.  The winning team from the area goes down to Oklahoma in the spring to a national competition.  I look forward to hopefully taking an SBA team to this event in the future!

 The junior high class is finishing up the HuntSAFE course and have had hands-on experience with firearms specially designed for education.

 Learning how to properly cross a fence with a firearm

Even the high school students got to spend a class period going over general firearm safety.  They look like they could be dangerous!

AET Assignment

We are using an online program called the Agricultural Experience Tracker to keep track of our students SAE projects.  Here are the following items that need to be updated on the AET website:http://www.theaet.com/Signin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fAET

o   Time in classroom activities

o   Time in SAE experiences-hours from your time sheets!

o   Time in community service

o   Time in FFA office

o   Time in FFA committees

o   Time in competitions (range judging, livestock, horse judging)

o   Time in other FFA activities-meetings, seminars (Allan Savory), fundraisers

o   Financial entries-basic information even if you are not doing an entrepreneurship SAE

Plant Science "Soil Health Bug" Assignment

Read the following article from "On Pasture" and answer the following questions:
http://onpasture.com/2014/09/08/catch-the-soil-health-bug/

1.  How does the author's use of the term "farming in nature's image" line up with a Biblical worldview?

2.  What does the author mean by the phrase using "biology rather than chemistry" to  achieve productive conservation?

3.  List 4 things that the author says about infiltration and runoff:

4.  Research one of the individuals mentioned in the article and explain:  1.  Who they are 2.  What they are doing that is unique  3.  Why they are doing what they are doing  4.  One interesting thing that you learned about them.

5.  What do you think you think about the "soil health bug": Do you agree with the concern the author has for this topic or is it over-rated and not important in the long run?

You may either type your answers in Word and print it off to hand in or you may e-mail me your paper at Andrew.Boersma@k12.sd.us

*Due on Friday, 10-3-14

Silage Pile and Soil Infiltration Lab

Fall means silage pills around this part of the state and we had the opportunity to help a neighbor tarp and put tires on their pile this week.  The students worked hard and enjoyed some great donuts afterwards!

 A couple of the boys showing how things are done!

 We researched water infiltration rates in the soil at a couple of different sites around campus last week.  We learned that the ground was very hard and that we needed a bigger hammer and different pipe for some of the more compacted areas.

We have had a beautiful couple of weeks as far as weather and we hope for a few more before the snow flies!

HuntSAFE Class

Our Junior High students are going through the South Dakota HuntSAFE curriculum and will receive their HuntSAFE certification at the end of the quarter.  Yesterday, conservation officer Cory Flohr came and spoke to the class about hunting regulations.  The students all walked away with some fancy hats for the hunting season!

Allan Savory Field Day

 We attended the Allan Savory Field Day sponsored by SDSU and the SDGLC out in Hayti, SD last week.  The weather was cool but the students were tough and learned about grazing systems from the different presentations and tours.

 The operation we toured featured cover crops and we gained more knowledge of this type of grazing system.

 The transportation was first-class and the blankets came in handy!

The students are (mostly) paying attention to Allan's presentation.  There were excellent questions addressed during the day and many of us were challenged to a different mindset of grazing livestock. The day ended with the NRCS demonstrating their rainfall simulator.  If you have not seen this, I would encourage you to check out the Youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9K9idBcJLY

Rotational Grazing Assignment

Rotational grazing is a hot topic in agricultural communities.  Read one of the articles linked below and write a 3 paragraph response including:
1.  Benefits of rotational grazing systems
2.  Challenges of rotational grazing systems
3.  If you owned your own ranch, what type of grazing system would you use and why?
Responses should be completed and saved in Word and either:
1.  Posted in the comment section of the blog
2.  Printed off and given to Mr. Boersma
3.  E-mailed to Andrew.Boersma@k12.sd.us
http://beefmagazine.com/pasture-range/grazing-programs/0701-producers-scientists-found-grazing
http://www.neglwatersheds.org/images/Common_Grazing_Management_in_South_Dakota.pdf
http://www.sdgrass.org/uploads/1/8/6/5/18654664/march_2013_newsletter.pdf

Range Judging at Woonsocket and Allan Savory Field Day

11 FFA students from SBA went to Woonsocket and took part in a Range Judging School on September 3rd.  The students did well and applied lessons learned in the classroom to identifying plants and evaluating pastures for beef cattle production and grouse habitat.  The Natural Resource Conservation Service puts on the schools and then there is a regional competition on October 1.

Next week Thursday (September 11) we have an opportunity to go an Allan Savory Field Day put on by SDSU.  Allan Savory is considered the "father" of holistic management and is an international expert on grazing systems.  This is an all day event and I have invited FFA students to come if they are interested.  Here is a link to the event  http://igrow.org/events/allan-savory-seminar-and-field-day/

State Fair

Last week we had the opportunity to go to the State Fair with 6 of our FFA students.  We worked at the South Dakota Pork Producer's booth as well as helped out at the FFA barn.  Two students worked with kids of all ages in the tractor simulator.  There were a couple of tractor wrecks with inexperienced drivers but mysteriously the tractor could be reset with no difficulty!  The other students helped with the puppies in the petting zoo and cleaning up the area.  Thanks to all the students for their hard work!

We had two students who showed livestock at the fair.  Samantha won her class of Red Angus Heifers and Tierney gained some great experience showing sheep.

Range Judging Practice

We are studying range ecosystems and getting prepared for a range judging school in Woonsocket this coming week.  The students in the bottom picture got wet but were great sports about it!  A special thanks to Brad Ufen and his family for helping us set up a practice site and allowing us to use their property.  Also thanks to Kent Baumberger from the NRCS for his help in teaching the students.

FFA Calendar for 2014-2015

For all the interested students and parents out there, here is a calendar of events for the coming school year:

August 21-FFA informational meeting at 8:15 pm, officer applications will be handed out
August 28-State Fair Trip after lunch: working at the Pork Producer's booth and Petting Zoo
September 3-Land and Range Judging School at Woonsocket
September 8-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
September 17-Range Judging School at Faulkton
October 1-Land and Range Competition in Wessington Springs
October 6-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
November 3-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
November 7-District Leadership CDE at Miller
December 2-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
December 7-8-State Leadership CDE at Pierre
January 6-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
January 14-State degree screening in Faulkton
*February 10-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm (may change because of small group contest)
February 21-28-National FFA Week
March 5-Spring CDE at Howard, FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
March 31-Spring CDE in Miller
April 7-FFA meeting at 8:15 pm
April 12-14-State FFA Convention in Brookings, SD
April 21-FFA Fun Night
May 4-FFA Banquet

School's out for summer!

School may be out for the students, but Mr. Boersma has a full summer of school ahead of him!  Here are a couple of updates for the summer:

June 24-25 is Rangeland Days down in Chamberlain.  I will be going down there both days and am willing to take anyone who is interested in coming along.  There is great information and activities for junior high age students through adults of any experience level!  Cost is $30 and that includes food and a t-shirt!

August 28th we have a fundraising opportunity at the State Fair.  We will be leaving school around noon and working at the South Dakota Pork Council's booth in the afternoon.  I would like to plan some time for the students to be able to go around the fair as well to see some of the exhibits.  I don't know how this will work with sports practices, but I will check on that.

I hope you are enjoying a great summer with your families!

Visit to Dakota Lakes Research Farm

We had a great visit out to the Dakota Lakes Research Farm on Monday, May 5th.  I mistakenly thought that the farm was owned by SDSU, however, the farm is privately owned by a group of farmers and is managed by Dr. Dwayne Beck from SDSU.

Dr. Beck shared important findings from his 30 plus years of experience working at the farm and traveling around the world.  Among the most popular topics were the experiments they have been doing on no-till farming, cover crops, soil health, and the variety/rotations of crops they are experimenting with.

The farm has both irrigated and dryland fields and we looked at the differences in the soil structure between the two.

We were blessed with a beautiful day and a special thanks to Dr. Beck for taking time out of the planting season to show us around the farm.  We hope that this is the first of many trips to the research farm in the years to come!