Utica FFA Chapter Utica High School

Utica FFA Chapter Utica High School Parent/Student Handbook and Information Guide 2015-2016 1

Table of Contents Ag Ed Program Description 3 SAE Projects Ag Ed Classes FFA Organization What is SAE? 4 FFA Participation/SAE Project 4 FFA Calendar 5 FFA Activities that Everyone Should Attend 6-7 Annual Banquet Monthly Meetings FFA Point System/ Grading System 7-8 Career Development Events 8-10 Description of Contests Fundraisers 10 Fall Bulb Fruit Sales Spring Bulb Proficiency Awards 10 FFA Degrees 11-12 Greenhand Chapter State American FFA Conferences and Camps 12-13 County CDE District CDE District Officer Training 360 Conference 212 Conference State FFA Convention National FFA Convention Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) Risk Management Essay Individual Opportunities for FFA Members 13-14 Exhibiting at the Fairfield County Fair Working at the Fairfield County Fair Exhibiting at the Ohio State Fair State FFA Chorus National FFA Band and FFA Chorus Summer FFA Camp 2

Welcome to the Utica FFA Handbook Welcome to the Utica FFA Parent-Student Handbook. You ll notice that it is not just a handbook for the FFA, but for the entire Agriculture Education Program, including Ag Ed Classes, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience these are integral components of the program that really can t be separated. This handbook, should answer any questions you have about our program and all of the opportunities that we have planned for the coming school year. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the handbook, always feel free to contact the FFA Advisor Gina R Neff by phone at (740)-272-7721 or by Email at gneff@uhs.laca.org Get involved, participate, and have a great year! Program Description The Agricultural Education Program is much more than a class. Classroom instruction gives students the knowledge and skills they need for success in today s world, and students get a chance to practice and apply these knowledge and skills in their Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects (SAE) and through the National FFA Organization. When the three parts are properly integrated, student education is maximized. Students learn important academic, career, technical, and life skills when all types of instruction are used. To make the most of the Agricultural Education Program, all students should participate in FFA and have an SAE project. SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) An SAE project is any experience outside of regularly scheduled class time in which the student gains new skills or practices skills in agriculture. Students could hold an ag related job, job shadow an Ag professional, or own any agribusiness enterprise such as an animal or plant project or agriculture service business. Student can also hold a position that is not directly related to agriculture. For example, students could use babysitting, tutoring another student, or doing work around the house as their SAE. The student should select their project based on their career and interests. The type of project is up to the student. Students should have at least one SAE project each year that they are enrolled in the Ag Ed/FFA program. This can be the same or different projects. Students are required to keep records on their SAE projects the records are graded and included in their class grades. See page 4 for more information on SAE. Ag Ed Classes *Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources *Animal Science and Technology *Veterinary Science *Business Management for Agricultural and Environmental Systems Public Law 740 defines SAE and FFA as integral parts of Agricultural Education classes. Students enrolled in Ag Ed Classes will pay a $20 fee for FFA Dues and will be required to have an SAE Project. 3 FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America, now known as the National FFA Organization ). The Utica FFA Chapter offers a multitude of opportunities to get involved in leadership projects, community service, recreation, competitive events, scholarships, and skills development. This handbook explains many of the opportunities available this school year. Students do not have to participate in all FFA activities they can pick the activities that they want to get involved in. All FFA members should plan at minimum to attend all monthly meetings, participate in 1 CDE and the Annual FFA Banquet. The mandatory acitivies for the FFA are the FFA banquet, 1 CDE, and paying their FFA dues. A student s level of involvement and participation in FFA can boost, but will never reduce, a student s grade in Ag Ed Class. However, if a student signs up for an event and doesn t show, consequences will occur.

What is SAE? Supervised Agricultural Experience An SAE program is the actual, hands-on application of agricultural skills outside the classroom. Students are supervised by agricultural education teachers, parents, employers and other adults who assist them in the development and achievement of their educational and career goals. If needed, an SAE does not have to ag related, depending on what is available to the student. SAE is a time honored and tested form of work-based learning. An SAE program can be whatever the student wants it to be an agricultural business of his/her own, a job shadowing experience, or placement in a paid or unpaid job using agriculturally-related skills and competencies. It is a program designed cooperatively by the student, advisor and parents. Unpaid Internship Volunteering at an Animal Shelter Landscaping Projects at Home Raising a Garden Some examples of SAE projects: Grocery Store Produce Dept. Restoring a Tractor Raising large or small animals Ag Career Project Household Chores Working for a Lawn Mowing Business Agriscience Fair Project Babysitting Students keep records (including pictures, hours, description of what the member did, monetary records ect. ) for each SAE project, and these records are submitted every 9 weeks to the Ag Ed instructor as part of the Ag Education class grade. These records will be kept on an online system, called the AET (Agriculture Experience Tracker). Livestock-based projects may be entered and exhibited at the county and state fairs, but this is not required. (see individual opportunities for FFA members section) Students are rewarded for successful SAE projects through the FFA s Proficiency Award Program. (See Proficiency Awards section). Students can have SAE s in the area of Exploratory (looking at the big picture of agriculture and researching about it), Entrepreneurship (owning you own business), Research (scientific research), or Placement (working for someone else). SAE s are also one component of selection to the various levels of FFA membership, also known as Degrees. (See Degrees of Membership Section) FFA Participation FFA is an INTRA-curricular activity - not extracurricular like football, Spanish club, or drama. This means that it is a part of the class you are taking and that you are expected to be in FFA. This expectation is similar to what is expected of students enrolled in vocal or instrumental music classes --participation in performances is required and is a part of the students grades. The difference is that in Ag Ed classes you aren t required to participate in all activities, just some activities which are assigned. Therefore, your participation in FFA will never reduce your grade. Students need to participate in at least 3 FFA events during each 9 weeks in order to receive full points for the 9 weeks. FFA will count as 10% of the student s grade. The follow is an estimated calendar for Utica FFA. Events may be added or removed. For the most up to date calendar, please visit http://www.aet.com and select the Utica FFA calendar. Information about events will be supplied to students in the classroom. If you need more details about events, please contact Mrs. Neff. 4

FFA Calendar Date Event Location 8/19 First Day of School Utica HS CDE Practice- Tuesday 4-5pm and Wednesday Utica HS, Ag Ed Room right after school (if no practice, students will be notified) Starting August 25 th through end of year TBA OLLC Conference (officers only) State House, Columbus 9/2 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 9/22 County Soils CDE Licking County 10/1 District Soils CDE Knox County 10/7 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 10/16 Citrus/Nuts/Cheese/Beef/BBQ Sauce Sale Utica HS 10/17 State Soils* TBA 10/28-10/31 National FFA Convention Louisville, Kentucky 11/4 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 11/11 Food Science Online Exam Utica HS 11/14 Utica FFA Alumni Farm Toy Set Up Utica HS Gym 11/15 Utica FFA Alumni Farm Toy Show Utica HS Gym 11/16 Food Science CDE Zane Trace HS 11/18 Leadership Night Amanda Clear Creek HS 11/23 Job Interview CDE Clear Fork HS 12/2 Chapter Meeting/Christmas Party Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 12/5 State Food Science and Job Interview CDE* OSU 12/22 Record Book/Award Application Day Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 12/29 Record Book/Award Application Day Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 1/13 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 1/22 Finalized Award Applications Due Utica HS, Ag Ed Room TBA County Public Speaking TBA 2/3 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 2/10 Ag Sales Online test Utica HS 2/17 D7 Ag Sales CDE Pickaway Ross 2/23 D7 Public Speaking Amanda Clearcreek HS 2/20-2/27 FFA Week Utica HS 2/18 or 2/25 Wilmington Aggies Invitational Roberts Arena, Wilmington College TBD in February County Speaking Liberty Union HS 3/2 Chapter FFA Meeting Utica HS, Ag Ed Room 3/5 Mount Gilead Invitational Marrow Co. Fairgrounds 3/5 State Ag Sales and Public Speaking * Marysville HS 3/5 Donkey Basketball Licking Valley HS 3/9 District Officer Training Fairfield Union HS 3/11 Southeastern Invitational Zanesville Livestock Yard 3/12 Marysville Invitational Marysville, HS 3/16 Selected Spring CDE online tests Utica HS 3/19 State Officer Practice Interviews OSU 3/26 Ashland Invitational Ashland High School 4/2 Spring CDEs -Dairy Products, Equine, General Livestock, Nature Interpretation, Poultry, and Wildlife Management 5 Ohio Expo Center, Columbus 4/13 Utica FFA Banquet Utica HS Cafeteria 4/19 D7 Outdoor Power Equipment Utica HS 4/20 Online Exam-Cooperatives Utica HS 4/26 State Outdoor Power Equipment Ohio State ATI 4/27 Online Exams- Ag Technology and Mechanical Systems, Farm Business Management & Greenhand Quiz Utica HS 5/5 Ag Issues Forum CDE Ohio Expo Center, Columbus 5/5-5/6 State FFA Convention Ohio Expo Center, Columbus TBD in Late April/ Early May Envirothon Varies on rotation

*- We must qualify to compete **Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list and is subject to change to due to cancellations, addition of events and local events. Not all things we participate in are known at this time. Eligibility for FFA Membership FFA membership is limited to students who are enrolled in Agricultural Education courses and certain graduates. Because FFA is an intra-curricular activity (not extra-curricular) it is considered part of a class. If a student wants to join FFA, they must enroll in one Ag Ed class during the school year. There is no way around this policy it is federal law. The FFA Year begins on the first day of school and ends on the last day of summer vacation. Therefore, a student enrolled in any Ag Ed class for the 2015-2016 school year is eligible for FFA membership beginning on the first day of school and lasting throughout the entire school year and the following summer. Graduates who were FFA members during their senior year and participated in FFA for two years during high school may continue to be members of FFA. If the graduated student elects to retain membership, the chapter will pay their dues. Graduate membership must be continuous membership. FFA Activities that Everyone Should Attend FFA is different from other intra-curricular activities that are part of a class such as Band or Choir because members of FFA get to select what activities, performances, competitions, and projects they become involved in. FFA members are not expected to do everything you decide what to do base on your interests. However, there are a couple of things that every FFA member should plan to do. They are: 1) Attend the Annual FFA Banquet, with their family 2) Attend the Monthly FFA Meetings. 3) Participate in 1 CDE per school year. An explanation of each follows. Please consult the FFA activity calendar for the dates of these events, and write these dates on your family calendar and make plans to attend: 1) Annual FFA Banquet The annual FFA banquet is the highlight of the year for the FFA all members, families, Alumni, and supporters should plan to attend. Students are required to wear dress clothing, (for boys; button up shirt, polo, sweater, khakis or black dress pants, for girls; skirts/dresses, dress slacks, dress shirts or blouses) they want to look their best as they receive their awards. If they are able to wear official dress, that would be ideal. Following the meal, we will move to the evening s program, which generally includes the following presentations: County/District/State Recognition Chapter Proficiency Awards Leadership Awards Scholarship Awards Installation of new FFA Chapter Officers 2) FFA Meetings Every FFA member should attend the meetings. FFA meetings will be held the first Wednesday of every month, after the school day has dismissed. The times will vary month to month, to try and accommodate other activities schedules. 6

Appropriate dress is required at FFA meetings, meaning that the school s code of dress is in force. Students may choose to wear FFA T-shirts, and some even wear their FFA jackets to meetings. This is only required for officers. Meetings are conducted using official FFA opening and closing ceremonies and correct parliamentary procedure. The agenda may include new and old business, guest speakers, activities and fun competitions, the formation of committees, door prize drawings, and announcements of upcoming opportunities. Most of the time there is some type of activity during the meeting such as recreation, food, committee meetings, etc. FFA Point System/ Grading System To reward FFA members for participating in FFA activities, they are awarded points on the FFA point system. These points will determine certain FFA awards and will be a determining factor in some FFA trip selections. Points vary for each activity. Leadership Activities 5 Attendance at FFA Meetings add 2 if member wears FFA T-shirt add 5 if member wears Official FFA Dress 5 Committee Meetings 5 County/Invitational Career Development Events 5 Other Local Events 10 District Career Development Events add 10 if 1 st or 2 nd place in any skills contest 15 State Career Development Events add 10 if 1 st or 2 nd place in any skills contest 15 State FFA Convention add 10 if in FFA Band, Chorus, or Talent add 15 if an officer candidate add 10 points for competitions add points for Ohio State FFA Degree-see SAE & Degree Section 20 National FFA Convention add 15 if in FFA Band, Chorus, or Talent add 15 points for competitions add 15 points for proficiency awards-sae & Degree Selection 20 Washington Leadership Conference 20 Other-districts, state, or national leadership activities that are not listed elsewhere on this page Special Activities Points determined by Advisor/Officer Team.5 Chapter CDE Practice Fundraisers & Service Projects 1 Sell $10 in Fundraisers example: Sell $500 worth of product; Get 50 points.. 5 Points Per Hour For FFA Service Projects SAE Projects & Degrees 20 Proficiency Award (local, district, state, national) 10 Greenhand FFA Degree 20 Chapter FFA Degree 100 Ohio FFA State Degree State and County Fair Exhibits (FFA Shows Only) 10 (per exhibit) Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep, Horses, Rabbits, Poultry, Horticulture, Floriculture, Photography How to Collect Your Points FFA activity points will be calculated using a google form. Students will update this form on their own, it is recommend that they update this monthly. FFA Grading System FFA counts as 10% of EACH 9 weeks grade. To receive this grade, you must attend 3 FFA activities. If you attend less than 3 activities, then you will not receive full points. CDE practices count, but 5 CDE practices = 1 activity. There will be multiple activities in each 9 weeks, so it will not be a problem to receive this part of your grade. However, you will need to make the time to attend these events, as they may be after school. 7

Career Development Events These are events where students are judging various things, based on the contest. Students can participate in as many as they would like, but must attend a minimum of 5 practices before they can attend the District or State Contests. The following is a brief synopsis of each event- if you would like more detailed information, please go to http://www.ohioffa.org It is vital that in order for students to be prepared for a contest and be eligible to go, that they attend practice. Practices are normally held after school on Tuesday and Wednesday. If the scheduled practice times do not work, students may come in during lunch, study hall, or in the mornings before school. Students will need to ASK to make these arrangements and to obtain passes. Ag Sales The marketing of agricultural products is key to profitability in today s competitive economy, and agricultural sales play a major role in the marketing process. Through this CDE, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate skills in sales by participating in a wide range of activities oriented around the total sales process. Ag Issues To provide an opportunity to expose a wide variety of students to the selection, research, planning and presentation of an agricultural issue. 2. To acquire knowledge and skills in community leadership for present and future use. 3. To become knowledgeable of, and familiar with a variety of local, state, national and international issues facing agriculture. 4. To understand the principles and fundamentals of agricultural issue analysis. 5. To further the awareness of agricultural issues in the local community. 6. To promote integration of agricultural issue analysis in local school academic subject matter areas. 7. To promote career choices by providing an opportunity for individuals to become acquainted with professionals in the industry. 8. To foster teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Food Science Technology To stimulate learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing a good working knowledge of sound principles used in a team decision-making process. Dairy Foods To enhance learning activities related to milk quality, federal milk marketing, attributes of milk products and substitutes for them. Students will be sampling milk, cheese and other dairy products during this contest. General Livestock The general livestock CDE is an educational program designed as a practical method of teaching students to recognize quality production animals. The skills students learn in evaluating general livestock should make them better livestock producers and consumers by giving them practical experience in identifying and understanding characteristics that affect production and quality. Greenhand To increase the basic knowledge of students about their organization and its operations and to keep FFA members current with the happenings in their organization. *All students enrolled in The Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources will be participating in this CDE. Job Interview The Ohio Job Interview CDE is designed for FFA members to practice and demonstrate the skills needed in seeking employment in all areas of agriculture. Each part of this event simulates real world experiences that students will have when seeking employment in the future. (In the 2012-2013 school year Utica had two students advance from the district to state competition in this CDE where they both placed ninth in their division.) 8

Online CDEs Ag Engineering- To assess students knowledge in agricultural engineering technology Cooperatives- To stimulate students to learn ways of doing business in America with emphasis on agricultural cooperatives. Farm Business Management- To provide students with the opportunity to solve typical farm management problems and help students to become more effective farm managers. Grain Merchandising- To stimulate interest in the area of grain merchandising and to make students aware of the complex decision making process associated with merchandising agricultural products. Outdoor Power Equipment The Outdoor Power Equipment Career Development Event (CDE) is an extension of the Agricultural Education classroom and laboratory. Additionally, this CDE serves as an authentic assessment designed to evaluate students knowledge in recognizing and repairing malfunctions in outdoor power equipment. The skills Agricultural Education students employ in this CDE are the same skills required by outdoor power equipment technicians. Poultry To stimulate learning activities relative to the production, processing, marketing, and consumption of poultry products. Public Speaking Freshman Creed Speaking To develop the ability of interpretation and self-expression of beginning FFA members. The event is open to first year FFA members only. Advanced Creed Speaking This event is the same as freshman creed speaking, but is only available to students who are in their 1 st year of ag and above 9 th grade. Extemporaneous Speaking To develop the ability of FFA members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance. The topics will cover the following three themes: a) Agriscience and Technology; b) Agrimarketing; and c) International Agricultural Relations. All districts must use these and only these topics in their district event. A list of all 12 topics will be emailed by October 1st of contest year. Beginning Prepared Public Speaking To develop the ability of FFA members to express themselves through writing a speech and presenting their memorized manuscript. Topics are to be current and of an agricultural nature. If topics are not, the speaker will be disqualified. This event is open to Freshmen, Sophomores; OR first year FFA members that are Junior or Seniors Prepared Public Speaking To develop the ability of FFA members to express themselves through writing a speech and presenting their memorized manuscript. Topics are to be current and of an agricultural nature. If topics are not, the speaker will be disqualified. Soils Rural The rural soils judging CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students to evaluate land and soil to determine its greatest safe potential use. Urban The rural soils judging CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students to evaluate land and soil to determine its greatest safe potential use. 9

Wildlife Management To stimulate interest in the areas of fish and wildlife management. FFA Fundraisers The need to raise funds is a reality for all student organizations. We would not be able to provide so many great opportunities for our students if it were not for our fund raising activities. Here is a summary of what our FFA chapter does to raise funds for our programs: Fruit/Nut-Mid October (Delivery in Early December), Florida Citrus, a variety of Nuts, Beef sticks, and BBQ sauce. More information will be provided closer to each sale. Sales may be added as the need arises. We will also help the FFA Alumni in any of their fundraising activities. Proficiency Awards The Agricultural Proficiency Awards program, like the FFA motto, helps you set goals and learn practical skills. The program rewards FFA members at the local, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. What are the proficiency award areas? Awards are available to all FFA members enrolled in high school agriculture. There are 47 Award areas. For more information and applications log on www.ffa.org Proficiency awards are given in the following areas: Ag. Communications Ag Education Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication Ag. Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Ag. Mechanics Energy Systems Ag. Processing Ag. Sales Ag. Services Aquaculture Beef Production Dairy Production Diversified Ag. Prod. Diversified Crop Prod. Diversified Horticulture Diversified Livestock Prod. Emerging Ag. Technology Environ. Sci & Nat. Resource Equine Science Fiber and/or Oil Crop Prod Floriculture Food Science & Tech Forage Production Forest Mgt. & Products Fruit Production Grain Production Home or Community Development Landscape Management Nursery Operations Outdoor Recreation Poultry Production Sheep Production Small Animal Prod. & Care Specialty Animal Prod. Specialty Crop Prod. Swine Production Turf Grass Management Vegetable Production Wildlife Management If your student has a great SAE and will fit into one of these categories, this is something we can pursue at a later date. Not all students will be able to do this, but I will do my best to help those who can. 10

Agricultural Proficiency Awards are available to all FFA members enrolled in high school agriculture. Students must meet the following eligibility requirements: Must apply while in high school or within 1 year after graduation from high school. If a high school graduate you must have completed at least 3 full years of instruction in agricultural education or program of agricultural education offered in school last attended. At minimum, must have kept 1 full calendar years worth of records as an FFA member to apply for a district, state, or national level proficiency award. This does not apply to local award Greenhand FFA Degree FFA Degrees As a high school member of the FFA, receiving the Greenhand FFA Degree shows that you have opened the door to the many exciting opportunities that the National FFA Organization has to offer. When you qualify for the Greenhand FFA Degree, you have earned the first of four degrees that build on each other leading the way to the highest degree achievable in the FFA, the American FFA Degree. Application: 1 st year of FFA membership (We will do everything within our course, students will have no problems meeting the criteria, but will be responsible for the application) Chapter FFA Degree Whether it is helping plan your chapter s next activity, working hard on your SAE or discussing a motion during a chapter meeting, chapter involvement is vital to your future successes in FFA. The root of the National FFA Organization is its chapters. By receiving the Chapter FFA Degree, you demonstrate your role in your chapter s growth and development. Application: 2 nd year of FFA membership State FFA Degree Like a high school diploma, the State FFA Degree celebrates your high school FFA career. Awarded by your state FFA association, this degree is a symbol to the members of your entire state FFA association that you are chapter leaders. As a State FFA Degree recipient, you have taken your FFA involvement beyond the chapter level and have a successful supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. With your State FFA Degree, you are one step away from achieving the highest degree attainable in the FFA, the American FFA Degree. Application: 3 rd or 4 th year of FFA Membership, year 1 after graduation American FFA Degree As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, receiving the American FFA Degree shows an FFA member s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA associations. It demonstrates the effort FFA members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program and the outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement they experienced throughout their FFA career. American FFA Degree recipients show promise for their future and have above and beyond to achieve excellence. Application: During the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd year following high school graduation. 11

FFA Conferences and Camps The Utica FFA takes multiple trips to leadership conferences, conventions, and competitions throughout the year. As a rule, students must not have been suspend and must be passing all classes. Students will have a permission to miss form to retrieve signatures from other teachers that it is okay to miss their class. If the student does not have the permission of the other teacher, they may not be able to attend the field trip. On all FFA trips, students pay for their own meals (with a few exceptions as noted) and incidental costs such as souvenirs. On some trips, FFA members are asked to pay a fee to the chapter to cover a portion of the expenses. State FFA Convention Students wishing to attend must pay the registration fee. In the past we have went to the Columbus Zoo, Grater s Ice Cream, Croton Egg Farm, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Northmarket. Students will need to pay $20 to $150 to attend State Convention, depending on the events. Any student is eligible, as long as they meet the above criteria. National FFA Convention Students wishing to attend must fill out an application, and will be selected through a competitive process based on the quality of their application. Priority is given to upper classmen and students who are receiving awards or competing. Highlights of the convention may include the Convention Sessions, the National FFA Center, FFA Career Show; National Contests; Leadership Workshops; Field Trips to area attractions. Visit the FFA web site at http://www.ffa.org/convention/ for more information. All students attending the National FFA Convention will pay a fee in the range of $100-400 depending on the total cost of the trip and success of student s fundraisers. District Officer Training Newly elected FFA officers travel to one of the schools in our district to learn about how to be the best officer they can be. An afternoon is spent sharpening their leadership skills, planning for the coming year, and learning to work as a team. All officers are expected to attend and will need to bring money to pay for the meal afterwards. Chapter Officer Retreat Each year, the newly elected FFA officers spend time sharpening their leadership skills, planning for the coming year, and learning to work as a team. The dates and location of this trip varies based on the schedules and interests of the students. Sight-seeing and recreation may also a part of this trip. All officers are expected to participate, and will pay for a portion of the trip expenses, in the range of $10-50 depending on the cost of the trip. This may or may not be an overnight trip. 360 Conference Freshman-Sophomores If personal growth interests you, then the 360 Conference may be the conference for you. Focused on building your confidence and competence, you have the opportunity to build a foundation of excellence through your own talents, skills and will power. 360 Conference helps you grow personally and realize what it takes to be a premier leader 212 Conference Juniors-Seniors If you have ever been asked What are you going to do after high school? and you don t have a clear answer, this conference might help you with that question. Specifically designed for junior and senior FFA members, the 212 Conference focuses on career exploration and preparation. You will have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of 12

careers available in the field of agriculture. By polishing your leadership and communication skills, you will learn how to best prepare for your future career. Washington Leadership Conference Summer, Washington D.C. From your local FFA chapter to the nation s capital, that s where you ll be headed if you join hundreds of other FFA members at the Washington Leadership Conference. Set in Washington D.C., this week-long summer conference takes your leadership skills to their highest level. Focusing on problem-solving, relationship building, and character and serving others, WLC teaches you how to have a positive impact on you school, chapter, community, state, and country. While you are practicing all these skills, you will also take in such historical sites as the Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and World War II Memorial. Plus, you ll meet lots of new friends from around the country. Individual Opportunities for FFA Members Exhibiting at the Hartford Fair Members of the Utica FFA may exhibit livestock, mechanical, and other projects at the Hartford Fair in August. Projects exhibited will be a student s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program and records should be maintained on this project. Participants can pick up livestock ID forms, entry forms, premium books, etc from the FFA Advisor or visit the Hartford fair website, http://www.hartforfair.com. All forms should be turned into the FFA Advisor by the established deadline, NOT directly to the Hartford Fairboard Office. Because the County Fair is an Individual FFA Activity, the chapter encourages participation, but does not provide financial support, transportation of livestock, or supervision. Important dates to remember for the Hartford Fair include; the Market Beef Weigh-In, Market Lamb Weigh-In, Market Hog Weigh-in, the Livestock ID Deadline, and Quality Assurance training. Working at the Hartford Fair Students are able to help set up and tear down our fair booth with FFA projects at the fair. This will happen prior to the fair and after fair. State Band and State FFA Chorus The State FFA Chorus provides entertainment at sessions and other events associated with the State FFA Convention. These very skilled musicians are selected through a process that includes a recommendation from the local music instructors, the approval of the FFA advisor and an application. The State Band works closely with the chorus and is selected through a similar process. Application materials can be downloaded from www.ohioffa.org. The deadline is typically March. National FFA Band and National FFA Chorus The National FFA Band and Chorus provide entertainment at sessions, workshops, meal functions, and other events associated with the National FFA Convention. These very skilled musicians are selected through a highly competitive process that includes a recommendation from the local music instructors, the state FFA band or chorus directors, and an audition tape. Application materials can be downloaded from http://www.ffa.org/convention/. The deadline is typically in late April or early May. Members selected for the National Band or Chorus will travel to the convention site several days earlier than the rest of the chapter in order to practice. Because this is an individual activity, the chapter encourages students to participate, but does not provide financial support or supervision. Chaperones are provided by the National FFA Organization. Because it is a great honor for the chapter to have a member selected to the band or chorus, the chapter will pay for the cost of 13

transporting band or chorus members to and from the convention in a way that is most cost effective for the chapter(when the band member is traveling with the group). The individual member is responsible for transporting instruments, paying any fees to the National FFA for music, hotel, etc. and for their meals. Summer FFA Camp Every year FFA camp is held at Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, Ohio. If a student wishes to go, they need to let the FFA advisor know and pay the fee for camp. Some scholarship money is available. Students have a chance to meet students from across the state and have fun swimming, canoeing, paint balling, rock wall, and also gaining leadership skills from session let by the State FFA officer team. Still have questions? Contact Mrs. Neff! Check us out on Facebook! Search for Utica FFA and click like! 14