Actions Influence Members - First AIM Conference
Syracuse, NY August 29, 2017
On August 26, 2017 students came into the Empire room at the Great New York State Fair, not knowing what to expect out of the next 24 hours during this brand-new conference. Students worked through multiple activities throughout the weekend to not only better themselves, but also develop skills to help improve their chapters’ program of activities. With the hope of coming out of this conference being more prepared for their year ahead. Taylor Rollins, District Five President, says “I was super excited that it wasn’t like any ordinary conference and that we were going to interact with so many different people.”
Throughout the entire conference, members were encouraged to network with other chapters. Icebreakers and other social activities allowed members to learn and really get to know the people they would be working with. One highlight from the conference was the opportunity for participants to interact with the National FFA President, David Townsend! David joined us for 6 days at the fair and was given the opportunity to see NY FFA members in action as they not only participated in AIM but also competed in multiple career development events.
While developing their chapter’s program of activities, FFA members had to develop a new activity that would promote and educate the public about agriculture. After developing their activity, each chapter was then sent out into the fair to implement it. Three judges, David Townsend the National FFA President, Christina Layne a representative from New York State Ag and Markets, and Eileen Jenson from the New York Animal Coalition were sent out to evaluate and rank each of the activities. The chapter that received the highest score received a $500 grant to help implement their program of activities for the coming year. This year’s grant winner was the Southern Cayuga FFA chapter for how well they educated the public about bees! We received such positive feedback and many chapters look forward to coming back next year!
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career successful through agriculture education. For more information regarding FFA please visit either www.nysffa.org or www.ffa.org.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Kimberly Doyle
NY FFA State Reporter, 2017-2018
Empire Farm Days - August 2017
Students build relationships and compete at Empire Farm Days
Seneca Falls, NY August 21, 2017
From August 8th to August 10th 2017 students from all across the state traveled to Seneca Falls, New York to attend Empire Farm Days! Students had multiple opportunities to mingle with public figures, including businesses and industries across the North East. Not only did students help advocate for FFA and agriculture, they also competed in tractor driving and welding contests. Many opportunities like these occur throughout the year for students to take advantage of. Several chapters collaborated with Empire Farm Days to help support this event through manning information booths to parking thousands of cars that come to this three-day event.
Nearly 100 students competed in the tractor driving and welding contests. These contests are not only popular but serve an educational purpose for all students. Throughout the welding contest, students must demonstrate their ability and knowledge of using MIG and arch welders, as well as a cutting torch. The tractor driving CDE allows students to showcase how to safely drive a tractor while towing a 2-4 wheel trailer behind them. However before they are able to get behind the wheel, they must complete a safety and parts ID test. The top three welders receive a scholarship from Morrisville State College if they decide to attend; third place is $750, second is $1000 and first is $1500.
New York FFA had so many opportunities at Empire Farm Days. NYS FFA member and 2014-2015 District 8 President Karen Luong attended and received the 2017 Empire State Potato Growers scholarship! Members also received the chance to connect with people from around the world, including someone from South Korea. Ethan Keller, State FFA President, interviewed with Finger Lakes Radio and spoke about his decision behind joining FFA, what the FFA is, and opportunities members can experience. Ethan and Maria Martinez, New York National FFA officer candidate, attended a luncheon where they spoke with Cornell University CALS Dean Boor about the agriculture teacher shortage and the benefits of becoming an agriculture educator here in New York!
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agriculture education. For more information regarding FFA please visit either www.nysffa.org or www.ffa.org
Respectfully Submitted by,
Kimberly Doyle
NY FFA State Reporter 2017-2018
July 2017 NY FFA Speaks
Byron-Bergen Students Celebrate Agricultural Tradition
The Byron-Bergen community’s agricultural heritage was celebrated on June 2 with the Junior/Senior High School’s fourth annual Agriculture Appreciation Day – better known as the bring-your-tractor-to-school-day. Brothers Garrett and Wyatt Sando were the first to arrive in their carefully restored and shining 1973 white tractor. They were soon joined by other students with their farm vehicles, large and small, including a classic 1952 Farmall.
Science teacher Jeff Parnapy is excited about the important role agriculture will play in education at the school next year. He is spearheading the new agriculture program, which will launch in the fall with an Intro to Ag class and a new Byron-Bergen chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA).
“We’ve been working with our Advisory Council, a wonderful group of experienced people from the community, to plan and organize the program,” he said. “Our Superintendent, Mickey Edwards, and Principal Pat McGee, recognize the interest our students have in agriculture and natural resources. We already have 22 students signed up for the first class.”
Junior Garrett Sando is one of them. His family owns 75 acres and he has had his tractor license since ninth-grade. “I’m really interested in trying the program out,” he said.
Parnapy is excited to work with young people who are interested in building futures in agriculture. He taught agriculture in Albion schools before coming to Byron-Bergen in 2000, and sees similarities between the two communities.
“My hope is to launch the program and expand it every year. The FFA chapter will be open to kids in grades 9-12 for the first year, with plans to extend it to grades 7-8 when it is solidly established,” said Parnapy.