Advertisement The National FFA Chapter Award program recognizes FFA chapters for developing and conducting a detailed program of activities. Each activity provides opportunities for members to excel in one of three areas: student, chapter or community development.
 |
Holmen FFA members attending the 82nd national convention Oct. 20-24 in Indianapolis, Ind., included Colin Hundt, Isaac Hackett, Jon Talle, Ben Schafer, Sara Niccum, Jacob Lezpona, Ian Hackett, Alex Goyette, Alexia Nelson, Kirstin Torgerson, Kelly Stellpflug, Chris Litwin, Elaine Snowberger, Kayla Witt, Jacob Stegner, Rachel Winther and Christy Purnell.
Contributed photo |
Every year, chapters are recognized as having earned a one-, two- or three-star rating on their application. The three-star rating is the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.
Holmen FFA chapter President Rachel Winther and Vice President Sara Niccum walked across the stage at the Conseco Field House on Thursday to receive the award.
During the five-day convention trip, the Holmen members toured the O’Hare International airport customs and border protection agency. The students were given a behind-the-scenes tour of what and how the U.S Department of Homeland Security finds and confiscates goods in the line of agriculture products to protect food sources and agricultural commodities in the United States.
A demonstration was given by the “Beagle Brigade,” in which a beagle is trained to sniff out specific items such as mangos, apples, beef and pork products in passengers’ luggage. The members were educated the training of the dogs as well as the reasoning for the confiscation of the specific products which ranged from giant snails, plant and plant products, to homemade sausages.
Members were also informed of the agriculture job opportunities available within Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Holmen FFA members also had the opportunity to tour Rose Acres, a family-owned egg processing facility in Seymour, Ind., that was established in the 1930s. Here the students were amazed at the large number of eggs that were processed in a day at the facility. They were also made aware of the career opportunities in the poultry business associated with egg production.
While at the convention members attended workshops, career development contests, convention sessions and a career show.
Highlights of the convention included keynote speaker Mike Rowe, host of the TV show “Dirty Jobs,” and an evening concert by the Eli Young band and Toby Keith.
FFA is a national agriculture youth organization of 507,763 student members — all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.
