Pie Auction 2015

 Here are some photos from the Pie Auction on Friday night.  The students did a great job setting up and helping with the pie auction.  Praise God for the money raised to support FFA and many other activities at SBA!

Horse Slaughter Debate Assignment

http://www.habitatforhorses.org/national-debate-on-horse-slaughter-hits-home-in-new-mexico/

Please Read the above article and answer the following questions:

1.  Describe the culture of Roswell, New Mexico

2.  When were the last horse slaughter plants operating in the United States (see sources below)?

3.  How many horses were sent to Mexico and Canada in 2013 for slaughter?

4.  Why is the Humane Society against the horse slaughter business?

5.  Why does Rick De Los Santos want to open the horse slaughter plan?

Part 2:  Write a one page paper on the horse slaughter debate.  Include the following points:

1.  Is the government overstepping it's role in preventing horse slaughter plants from opening?

2.  Do you agree or disagree with the Humane Society's view on horses?

3.  Is sending horses to Canada or Mexico any more humane than slaughtering them in the United States?

4.  What options are there for "unwanted" horses?

Other sources you may find interesting:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/17/horse-slaughter-blocked-by-federal-law/4604929/
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/01/1-1-trillion-spending-bill-will-prevent-usda-from-spending-about-5-million-on-horse-slaughter-inspections/#.VNuta-bF_Ek
http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/148245/2/JARE,Apr2013,%2304,pp48-63,Taylor.pdf

Shark Tank Episode

I came across a fascinating clip from a TVshow called "Shark Tank".  This clip shows the ingenuity, integrity and legacy of the American Farmer and I'd encourage you to check it out: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/01/240010-every-shark-shark-tank-turned-farmer-tree-t-pee-except-one/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=conservativedaily&utm_campaign=Culture

Enjoy!

Sheep Assignment

How much do you know about sheep?  Here are some resources to help you answer the following questions.
http://amhealthmaster.http.internapcdn.net/AMHealthMaster/DOCUMENT/SheepUSA/sheep-CaringForLandAndAnimals.pdf

http://amhealthmaster.http.internapcdn.net/AMHealthMaster/DOCUMENT/SheepUSA/Wool_Grades_and_the_Sheep_that_Grow_the_Wool_Scan.pdf

http://www.ranching-with-sheep.com/sheep-shearing.html

1.  What is the difference between a fine-wool breed of sheep and a coarse-wool breed of sheep?

2.  When is a good time to shear sheep?

3.  How much wool do you get off an average ewe?

4.  Why is wool a unique and an important fiber source (3 things)?

5.  Find 5 passages of scripture that talk about sheep and list them below:

6.  Select 1 of the 5 passages and explain the significance of the sheep mentioned in that passage.

*You may either print off these questions and answers or e-mail them to me at Andrew.Boersma@k12.sd.us

**Due Friday, January 30

Fun in the Sun

Last week the weather warmed up and we got outside for class!  We are studying horses with the Exploring SD Ag class and so we did a hands-on anatomy lesson where they labeled the parts of the horse.

 Never trust the camera to students!

 The junior high class has been studying outdoor survival.  They were split up into teams and had to treat given medical conditions, build shelter, and build fire.

 These pictures are of the "fire" portion of the assignment.  The first team to build a fire (using 1 match, dryer lent and wood they found) and roast a marsh-mellow on it, won.  Congratulations to Hannah, Shariah, EJ and Jade for winning the competition!

 The funny part of this assignment was that I (the teacher) was supposed to light a brush pile on fire while they were working on their fires.  I had a weed burner and diesel fuel and could not get a good fire started on the brush pile!  Over the weekend, there must have been some hot coals around the brush pile because it finally started on it's own.

Cold Start

 Happy New Year!  It has been a cold start to the semester with temps below zero and winds close to 60mph yesterday.  Students and staff are slowly getting back into the routine.

Our Animal Science and Exploring SD Ag classes were privileged to have Tyler Haun with us for a couple of classes this week.  Tyler's family has recently moved into the area and Tyler is a sophomore student at the University of Nebraska studying Animal Science.  Tyler has had a successful FFA career and talked to the students about FFA opportunities and livestock judging. 

Here is a picture from last fall reminding us that there is hope of green grass and warmer temperatures in the future!

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!