Positive Aspects of FFA

This past week, PETA took some shots at FFA and Agricultural Education.  The following article was written in response to those attacks and I believe it paints an accurate picture of what FFA and Agricultural Education programs are doing in the lives of our youth today.  http://celestelaurent.com/the-truth-about-ffa-and-agriculture-education/

Class Projects

 Our landscaping class assembled benches for the fire-pit area this week.  They worked in teams of 2 and made quick work of the project.  We will put a couple coats of finish on them before we bring them outside this spring.

 The landscaping class researched careers in landscaping and created posters with their findings.  We have quite a creative bunch!

 Pictures of the teams in action.

 Our animal science class taught the lower elementary students about digestive tracts of animals.  I'm holding a digestive mural of a horse while the student teaches about how feed moves through the animal.

A month's worth of highlights

  Semester Finals, Christmas Break and now the Spring Semester is well underway!  Above is a picture of a senior student with a cattle handling facility model he built for his final project in Animal Science.

 The Agri-business students read a Beef book to the lower elementary students.  The book was written by a student at the University of Nebraska and was provided by funds from the beef checkoff.

 The book included great pictures, most of which came from a modern livestock operation.  After the students went through the books, we gave a quiz to the elementary students and they each got a prize.

 The Beef books do a great job communicating facts about the beef industry to a  young generation.  The elementary students receive a copy of the book and there are beef recipes in the back for them to try at home with their parents.

These high school students will make great parents someday!  Perhaps a couple of them will even enter the teaching profession.

Dr. Temple Grandin Trip

 We had the opportunity to go see Dr. Temple Grandin at the South Dakota Farmer's Union convention on Wednesday, December 9.  She has been a pioneer in the field of livestock handling as well as being very accomplished in her role in giving a "voice" to autism.  Its was a treat to see her in person with the students!

 Below are some pictures we took with the FFA outside on a windy December morning.  Thank you to all who have supported us along the way!

Low Stress Livestock Handling

Please read the article from the link below and answer the following questions:
http://www.angusbeefbulletin.com/extra/2014/09sep14/0914mg-heather-handling.html#.Vmc1XNKrRkg

1. Who is writing the article and who is publishing the article?

2. What 2 things have studies from feedlots proven about low stress livestock handling practices?

3. How are there financial benefits to handling livestock gently according to Stacy Davies (2 main points)?

4. Why are "wild" cattle worth less than "gentle" cattle?

5. Research "shrink" and "dark cutters" in the cattle industry.  What do those terms mean?  How do they apply to this article?

District Leadership CDE

We had 4 students compete at the district level of leadership career development events in Miller on 11-17-15.  2 students competed in job interview and placed near the top of 23 participants.  2 students competed in Creed, which is the first year we have had students try this event.

November Notes

 November has been a busy month in class.  The freshmen presented on their creed projects where they memorized their section of the creed and created a poster to present the main points.

 Two of our FFA State Officers from SDSU came and visited our class on 11-18-15.  This was a great chance for the students to learn about FFA opportunities from the leaders of our state organization.

 Both Jeanette and Shane (State Officers) shared from their experiences in FFA and encouraged the students to step out and try new things that are offered at the chapter and state levels.    

Our animal science class has been studying cattle handling techniques by Bud Williams and Temple Grandin and are involved in a project where they get to design their dream facility.  We took a field trip to our neighbor's, who graciously showed us around his cattle facilities.  Thank you to all those who take time out of your busy days to help our students in many different ways!