22 Mar 2010 FFA building lifetime winners

“The main thing they learn is life skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives,” said Rodney Wiedower, agri-business and animal-science instructor.
The organization adds about 50 new members annually. “We have an orientation at the beginning of the year and induct new members,” said Patrick Breeding, shop instructor.

Reasons for joining are as individual as the members.

“This is my sport,” said Shelby Barkley, adding that FFA competitions are as hard-fought as any athletic game.

Anna Acre likes the variety. “There’s something for everybody, not just farmers,” she said.

Jessica Nichols points out growth opportunities available through FFA, which she credits with helping her overcome a fear of public speaking. “I was scared to talk in front of a class, let alone 200-plus people,” she said. But she did just that at a recent Arkansas Leadership Conference.

According to Wiedower, FFA often opens career doors. One student decided to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering after participating in FFA mechanics competitions.

Nationally, the Greenbrier teams competed in Parliamentary Procedure, Nursery Landscaping and Dairy Foods, taking two seconds and a third, respectively. In each category, teams took a written exam covering all aspects of the category.

The dairy team also had to identify various milk flavors – bitter, rancid, acidic or metallic – and different cheeses. “You can tell by the color sometimes or how the cheese breaks (what kind it is),” said Jessica, whose teammates were Kayla Copeland, Stephanie McElroy and Amber House.

The team also had to determine if different milking-machine parts were dirty or defective.

For the Parliamentary Procedure competition, the team simulated a 10½ minute mock business meeting – a “run.” Members had to debate a main motion and present several secondary motions. When they entered the contest room “that’s when we learned the motions to be done,” said Anna.

After the “run,” the team answers oral questions from the judges. “It’s a very complex debate contest,” said Breeding.
Anna, Shelby, Cody, Alex Erbach, Parker Hutchinson and Miranda Reynolds honed their “run” skills in the agri department’s 20-laptop computer room.

The Nursery Landscaping competitors had to identify plants based on written descriptions and identify landscaping tools and plant diseases. They also had to draw a landscaping plan, using plants and placement to fit soil and topography, and provide a cost estimate for the plan. On that team were Joseph Black, Jarrett Alexander, Sarai Bartolotta and Ashley Lewis, all students of Bekka Spinks, who teaches plant systems.

The club’s officers work as a team to organize “everything that happens during the year,” said Wiedower. The officers are Anna, president; Cody, vice president; Parker Hutchinson, treasurer; Shelby, secretary; Jessica, reporter; Alex Erbach, sentinel; and Dillon, junior advisor.

The events planned include a lock-in, a Christmas party for which admission is a can of food, a float trip and a parents’ night at which attendees are entertained by various leadership demonstrations.

In addition to the contests, many FFA members also show market (meat) animals, raising them from babies in May until they are shown and sold in the fall. The animals must be bathed, brushed and fed in order to obtain the best musculature, coat, weight and overall look. It’s hard work.
Bailey Smithson shows goats, sheep and hogs. “I don’t really think of that as a job,” she said. “I enjoy it, so it’s not work.”

Cody, who raises steers, has won prizes at the Arkansas State Fair for two years running; the first year, the Grand Champion prize, and the second year, Reserve Champion.

Dillon Ross also shows goats and likes the perks of showing. “It makes memories,” he said. “You meet new people.”

 The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 507,763 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. There are 7,439 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.  Visit www.ffa.org or www.ArkansasFFA.org for more information.