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!