FFA
NEWS 2016-2017
ANIMAL
SCIENCE CLASS 2016-2017
CROPS
IN CLASSROOM 2016-2017
Greenhouse
Classes | Ag
Construction Classes
Farm Bureau Leadership
Day (04/27/17)
FFA
Banquet (05/05/17)
Methodist Preschool Visits
(05/11/17) | Dewey
Visitors (05/05/17)
Bridging the GAP (05/09/17)
| State Trap Shoot
(05/06/17) | National
Beef Month (May)
Indian Creek Lake
(04/20/17) |
State
Convention News (04/26/17) |
Senior Ag Tour (04/19/17)
State FFA Degrees
(04/21/17) | Ag
On the Move (April 2017)
Area Degrees (04/12/17)
| Area II Awards
(04/12/17) | April
Meeting (04/12/17) | District Contest
(03/28 & 04/04-05/17)
ForSight PIE (03/31/17)
| Planting Seeds
(03/31/17) |
Ag Issues (03/21/17)
| Area II Contest
(03/15/17)
Agri-Leaders
Mtg (03/13/17)
|
Area II Officer
Candidates (03/08/17) |
Coloring Contest
| 8th Grade Recruitment
(02/27/17)
Leadership Class
(02/24/17) | State
Officer's Visit (02/23/17) | Ag
Olympics (02/22/17)
Salute
to Ag (02/17/17) | Baby Pigs (02/10/17) | Bowling
Party (02/05/17) | Speech
Contest (02/04/17)
Lambs at Preschool
(01/25/17)
|
Denver Livestock Show
(01/05-08/17) |
Greenhand
Motivational Conference (01/06/17)
Governor's Conference
(12/16/16) | Christmas
Party (12/07/16) |
Fall Speaking Contests
(11/02&09/16)
Trapshoot (11/05/16)
| Director of Ag
(11/02/16) | American
Royal (10/21-22/16)
Barnwarming!
| Leadership
Class (10/28/16) | Papa
Charlie's (10/27/16) | Courtesy
Corps (10/19-22/16)
FFA Convention
| American FFA
Degree (10/22/16) | Educator
to Farm (10/19/16) | Papa
Charlie's (10/14/16)
Litton Ag Center Featured in MO Today (10/11/16)
|
Greenhand
Initiation (10/12/16) | Area
II Trapshoot (10/08/16)
Parents' Night (10/05/16)
| Plant Agronomy
| Trapshoot
(09/24/16) | Old
Time Harvest Days (09/23/16)
MO
Welding Insittute (09/22/16) | FFA Creed
| Area Chapter
Degree |
Chautauqua (09/10-11/16)
| Mud
Volleyball (09/07/16)
Missouri
State Fair Gold (08/11-21/16) | MO Leadership
Adventure (08/04/16)
| Area
II Chapter Officer Workshop (08/01/16)
Officer
Retreat (07/06-07/16) |
HYPE Academy (06/28-30/16)
| National Dairy Month
(06/28/16)
Camp
Rainbow (06/21&24/16) |
National
Leadership Conference (06/14-18/16 | HYMAX
Academy (06/17-19/16)
June
Meeting (06/21/16)
|
LEAD Conference
(06/01/16) |
Beginning Meeting (05/24/16)
| Livestock
Show Extravaganza

FFA
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| FFA News
2011-2012 | FFA
News 2012-2013 | FFA
News 2013-2014
| FFA News 2014-2015
FFA News 2015-2016
| FFA News 2016-2017 | Litton
Ag Center News

Farm
Bureau Youth Leadership Day
April 27, 2017
At the Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day, students gain an understanding of the importance of
becoming informed and involved citizens. Additionally, they focus upon the agricultural and rural issues
that impact our state.
The 23rd Annual Missouri Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day, April 27, 2017, attracted over 400 students and chaperons from 63 counties. The action-packed day began early for many of the groups as they
traveled from across the state to Jefferson City. Following a brief orientation at the MFB
home office, they boarded buses to the Capitol. Sherry Jones, Livingston County Farm Bureau Board President, arranged
for Chillicothe FFA members to meet with their respective elected official Senator Mike Pearce and
Representative Rusty Black. Students interacted with members of the General Assembly and got a
firsthand look at the activities surrounding a day at the Capitol.

L to R - Sherry Jones (Livingston County Farm Bureau, President) Hunter Horton,
Wade Campbell, Cole Wolf, Austin Case, Adler Marshall
Following lunch at the MFB
home office, the group was welcomed by Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst. The featured speaker was Cody Jones. Cody, a 2015 graduate of the University of Missouri,
spent a year in Africa as an AgriCorps worker. He shared his day-to-day experiences as a teacher in this
developing country. Cody returned to his home and is now farming with his dad near
Auzvasse. Throughout his presentation, he reminded the group of his passion for agriculture and encouraged each
participant to find and follow their passion.
Chillicothe FFA members from Livingston County that attended were Wade Campbell, Austin Case, Hunter Horton, Adler Marshall, and Cole Wolf.
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United
Methodist Preschool Visitors
May 11, 2017
Students from the United Methodist Church Preschool got a visit from some special friends at the Litton Agriculture Campus on May 11, 2017. The students were learning about farms in class. The Litton Crusaders brought some of animals to visit the preschool. Those special friends were a calf, lamb, goat, hog, and a puppy.
All of the students had a great time petting their new friends and getting some kisses. This field trip was made possible by the Litton Crusaders program which is made possible by the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation.
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Dewey
Visitors
May 5, 2017
First grade students from Dewey Elementary School visited the Litton Agriculture Campus on May 5, 2016. The students were learning about plants in class and came out to get their hands a little dirty. This was made possible by the Litton Crusaders program sponsored by the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation. After coming to the Litton Ag Campus, they transplanted marigolds into pots to take home.

The project actually began in March when the marigolds were seeded, and then the students received
weekly pictures of the seeds progress until they got to come out and transplant them into bigger pots.
The high school agriculture students assisted with the first graders in the transplanting process. When the students finished transplanting their flowers, they took a tour of the campus. While on the tour of the campus, they got to go to the pond; see animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs; as well as enjoy being outside for the afternoon. All of the students had a great time.
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Chillicothe FFA Chapter Bridges The GAP
May 9, 2017
Chillicothe FFA members realized the need to educate their urban cousins about agriculture and food
production. On Tuesday, May 9, 35 members traveled to Raytown Middle School with the intent to
develop a positive relationship with 6th Graders by providing a
"hands-on" experience with food production. Various presentations were given covering everything from beef, swine, sheep, goat, dairy, chicken,
horses & rabbit production processes to wheat, corn, alfalfa, cotton, soybean & rice production. Raytown
Middle School teacher Heidi Adams stated "the impact that this event had on (Raytown) students was
tremendous. The ability of the FFA members to engage our students and make agriculture real is greatly
appreciated."

Over 230 Raytown 6th Grade students and faculty were able to experience agriculture and learn about
what it takes to produce the food they eat. The GAP (Giving Agriculture a Purpose) Program was
developed to provide youth in urban populations positive experiences with agriculture to better understand
the decisions that farmers and ranchers make every day to provide safe, nutritious and abundant food for
the world population. Dr. Georgetta May, principal of Raytown Middle School,
stated the Chillicothe FFA members were "outstanding young men and women that conducted themselves very
well."
The Chillicothe FFA Chapter appreciates the support of parents, teachers, administration as well as those
who provided the animals, products and transportation for this activity.
Future plans are being developed to expand this program and increase the impact of agriculture education by
"Bridging the GAP."

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CHILLICOTHE FFA
Wins 2nd in State Shoot
May 6, 2017
LINN CREEK,
MO - More than 76,000 shots rang out from the Missouri Trapshooters Association home
grounds in Linn Creek on May 6, 2017, for the 30th Annual Missouri FFA and High School Trap
Championship. More than 760 students from all over the state participated.
"Despite the rainy weather, we saw several perfect scores and many
99s," said Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Education Outreach Coordinator Eric Edwards, who helped staff the event.
"We even had to have a shoot-off to decide placement in some divisions because of all the 100-out-of-100 scores these kids put up
today." "We had several shooters who will be going to college next year on full-ride scholarships to compete on a collegiate level in the shotgun
sports." "These outstanding youth along with their dedicated coaches,
show that not only is Missouri a great place to hunt and fish, but a great place to enjoy shooting sports
too!"

Back L to R - Wyatt Maddox, Madison Eller, Hunter Horton, Peyton Hein, Brady Bothwell, Garret Donoho, Jackson Pauley, Eric Davis;
Front L to R - Clayton Walker, Trent Norman, Austin Case, Garrett Cramer, Christian Reed
The team of Brady Bothwell (98), Garret Cramer (94), Eric Davis (98), Peyton Hein (89), Clayton Walker (91)
placed 2nd in the State FFA Shoot. As a team, they shot 470 out of 500. The team of Garret
Donoho (89), Madison Eller (80), Wyatt Maddux (90), Trent Norman (89), and Christian Reed (84)
competed. As a team they shot 432 out of 500. Other students who participated on an individual basis were Austin Case (75), Hunter Horton (80), and Jackson Pauley (71). Brady Bothwell received
4th high individual in the Senior Division with a score of 98 and Eric Davis received
2nd high individual in the Junior Division with a score of 98. This year,
the coaching staff consisted of Sarge Ralls and Tony Burtch. The objectives of the program are to involve students in the highest standards of safety,
sportsmanship, and ethical behavior, along with safe and responsible use of firearms. Also, the program
helps to develop self-confidence, personal discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
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National
Beef Month
May 2017
In May 2017,
the Livingston County Farm Bureau went to visit the Mrs. Quinn's Kindergarten class at Southwest Livingston County R-I School in honor of National Beef Month. Sherry Jones, Livingston County Farm Bureau Board President, spoke with the students and discussed what products are made from beef and where beef comes from.

Courtesy of the Livingston Farm Bureau,
the students participated in a coloring contest with the winner, Hayes Anderson,
presented with a McDonald's gift card. The coloring pages are currently on display at the Farm Bureau office in Chillicothe. All students also received a beef stick from the MO Beef Council and a pencil from Farm Bureau. This activity
helps educate youth about agriculture.
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State
FFA Degrees
Chillicothe Chapter Has Highest Number Degrees (of any chapter in the state)
With 21.
04/21/17
On March 1, 2017 it was announced that
15 members of the Chillicothe FFA will be receiving their State FFA Degree, in Columbia, MO on April 21, 2017. Before receiving this degree, they had to meet a number of qualifications and fill out an application that followed their SAE and leadership skills.
The State FFA Degree is the highest degree that the Missouri FFA Association can give to its members.

|
Back L to R
- Levi Surber, Madelyn Warren, Sarah Mason, Cole Gutshall, Gunnar Leach, Rylee
Reeter, Kaylee Peel, Taylar Simmer, Kristina Hamilton, Sheridan Guilford;
Front L to R - Jared Loney, Jake Sampsel, Emma Leamer, Jaime Albertson, Zach Trout, Brady
Bothwell, Ben Jones, Kade Plattner, Kyle Hansen, Clayton
Campbell; Not Pictured - Hunter Haakonstad |
This degree is awarded to the top three percent of the total State FFA membership each
year who have met the following qualifications:
- Have received the Chapter FFA
Degree
- Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State
FFA Degree
- While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program.
- A student after entering agricultural education must have: a. earned and productively invested at least $1000; or b. worked at least 300 hours in excess of class time; or c. a combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program.
- Demonstrate leadership ability by:
a. Performing ten procedures of parliamentary law
b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the
FFA
c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or participating member of a chapter committee
- Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or
superintendent
- Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter Program of
Activities
- Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter
level
- Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service, within at least 2 different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.
Those from our chapter who received the State FFA Degree include: Jaime Albertson the daughter of Matt & Michelle Rardon and Denny & Margie Albertson, Brady Bothwell the son of Barrie & Julie Bothwell, Clayton Campbell the son of Monty & Carrie Campbell, Sheridan Guilford the daughter of Stewart & Sandy Willis and Brett & Andrea Guilford, Cole Gutshall the son of Bill & Angie Gutshall, Hunter Haakonstad the son of Scott Haakonstad and Kim Haakonstad, Kristina Hamilton the daughter of Randy & Ann Hamilton, Kyle Hansen the son of Kevin & Bobbi Hansen, Ben Jones the son of Dwight & Renee Jones, Gunnar Leach the son of Steve & Jennifer Leach, Emma Leamer the daughter of Michael & Natalie Leamer, Jared Loney the son of Nelson & Lesli Loney, Sarah Mason the daughter of Bill & Shawn Mason, Kaylee Peel the daughter of Aaron & Alcy Peel, Kade Plattner the son of Randy & Anna Plattner, Rylee Reeter the daughter of Gail Reeter and the late Ron Reeter, Jake Sampsel the son of David & Misty Sampsel, Taylar Simmer the daughter of Shawn & Kelli Simmer, Levi Surber the son of Cory & Stacy Surber, Zach Trout the son of Chris & Carey Trout, and Madelyn Warren the daughter of Doug & Laura Hughes and the late Scott Warren.
Congratulations to these individuals on their accomplishments.
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INDIAN
CREEK LAKE
04/20/17
On April 20, 2017,
first grade students from Dewey Elementary school went on an educational trip to Indian Creek Lake.

While at Indian Creek,
the students participated in seven different learning stations which included: water invertebrates, Predator/Prey book and game, Nature Scavenger Hunt on a trail,
learning about parts of a plant with the Litton Crusaders, checking out the fishing dock, body coverings of animals with Babe Roy, life cycle and habitat of the turkey with National Wild Turkey Federation, and
observing nature with magnifying glasses on a trail. Funding for this trip was provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Nature School Grant.

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SENIOR AG
INDUSTRY TOUR
04/19/17
On April 19, 2017,
senior students from the Chillicothe High School had the opportunity for career
exploration. Twenty-five CHS seniors who have an agriculture career pathway traveled to Show-Me Ethanol of Carrollton and Quixotic Fish Farm of Chillicothe, MO.
Show Me Ethanol LLC produces approximately 60 million gallon of fuel grade ethanol annually.
They produce ethanol through a dry mill process that includes fermentation, processing and distillation. The ethanol is primarily blended in E10 and E85 gasoline throughout the Midwest. Show Me Ethanol also produces and markets two types of feed as well as a feed grade corn oil. DDGS are primarily fed to poultry, swine and cattle and is approximately 90% dry
matter; and MWDGS that is fed to cattle and is approximately 48% dry material.

Quixotic Farming is a family-owned, environmentally conscious company that raises Tilapia without the use of hormones or antibiotics. The fish eat a nutrient-rich diet and thrive in covered tanks where their
living conditions are monitored around the clock and their water is constantly being filtered and
re-circulated. Quixotic Farming produces high quality tilapia using RAS or a
re-circulating aquaculture system. The tanks are also equipped with aeration systems to provide optimal levels of oxygen for the
fish. The aeration system provides healthy, oxygenated water that keeps the fish happy and energized.
The improved oxygen level encourages more activity and better feed conversions, which helps the growth
rate of our fish. The students were given the opportunity to tour each of these facilities and ask questions regarding the career opportunities available in the respected fields. We would like to thank both facilities for allowing the students to tour as well as providing them with a wealth of knowledge.
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Ag
On the Move
April 2017
During the last couple weeks of school,
third grade students from Field Elementary got a little bit of hands-on learning about agriculture. Students at the Litton Agriculture Campus taught the lessons and conducted the lab activities through the Litton Crusaders program. There were
six sessions with five lab activities. The student instructors were Clayton Campbell, Sheridan Guilford, Kristina Hamilton, and Kaylee Peel.

Agriculture Education on the Move is a hands-on education program identifying key classroom objectives
and state standards primarily in the areas of science, math, reading and writing. Students gain an
understanding of today's agriculture and farm families, through diverse learning experiences.
Participating classrooms have the opportunity to learn about corn, soybeans, wheat, beef, pork, dairy, nutrition and
agricultural careers. Students engage in agriculture in a fun and exciting way by tasting corn products,
experimenting with yeast and bread making, making butter, comparing soy milk and milk, and
understanding where all the ingredients come from in pizza.
Agriculture Education on the Move is an educational effort through Missouri Farmers Care. Missouri
Farmers Care is a joint effort by Missouri's farming and agriculture community to stand together for the
men and women who provide the food and jobs on which our community depends. The Livingston County
Farm Bureau also assisted with this program by providing material for the lab activities.

Sheridan Guilford, Clayton Campbell, Kaylee Peel, Kristina
Hamilton
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Area FFA Degrees Awarded
04/12/17
On April 12, 2017,
it was announced that 10 members of the Chillicothe FFA will receive their Area FFA
Degree in Chillicothe, MO. Before receiving this degree, they were
required to meet a number of qualifications and fill out an application that followed their SAE and leadership skills.
The Area FFA Degree is the highest degree that the Area II FFA Association can give to its members.
FFA membership that have met the following qualifications are eligible for the honor:
- Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
- Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.
- While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program.
- A student after entering agricultural education must have:
(a) earned and productively invested at least $1000; or (b) worked at least 300 hours in excess of class time; or
(c) a combination thereof, in a supervised agricultural experience program.
- Demonstrate leadership ability by:
a. Performing 10 procedures of parliamentary law
b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the
FFA
c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson, or participating member of a chapter committee
- Have a satisfactory scholastic record as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and the principal or
superintendent
- Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter Program of
Activities
- Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter
level
- Have participated in at least 25 hours of community
service within at least 2 different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.
Those from our chapter who received the Area FFA Degree include: Abbey Daly the daughter of Jason and Tonia Daly, Mason Daniel the son of David and Amy Daniel, Nick Duncan the son of Terry Duncan and Tara Kelly, Audrey Edmission the daughter of William Edmisson and Jackie Edmisson, Tanner Lent the son of Butch & Stacey Bonderer and Matt Lent, Kyler Manning the son of Harold and Lisa Manning, Julia Minnis the daughter of Jason and Tracy Minnis, Jalynn Reeter the daughter of Jamie and Julia Reeter, Logan Sampsel the son of Jason and Kristi Sampsel, and Hannah Stotts the daughter of Eric Anderson & Sara Carr and Jared & Tracy
Stotts. Congratulations to these individuals on their accomplishments.

Back L to R - Mason Daniel, Audrey Edmisson, Tanner Lent;
Front L to R - Jalynn Reeter, Hannah Stotts,
Julia Minnis, Abbey Daly; Not Pictured - Nick Duncan, Kyler Manning, Logan Sampsel
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Area II FFA Awards Recognition Night
April 12, 2017
On April 12, 2017, Chillicothe FFA members attended the Area II FFA Awards Recognition Night held at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center in Chillicothe, MO. This awards recognition night is held each year to recognize members of the 28 area schools that make up the Area II FFA Association for their outstanding achievements during the year. The items for which students were recognized, at the area level, were as follows:
Fall speaking contests, FFA speaking contests, books, contests, talent, Area FFA Degree, proficiency awards, and officers. Madelyn Warren, 2016-2017 Area II 1st Vice President, and the rest of the Area II Officer team conducted the ceremony. At the conclusion of the night,
Claire Shipp was initiated as the 2017-2018 Area II Reporter.

Area Proficiencies were as follows: 1st Liberty Cox
- Agriculture Education; 3rd Adler Marshall - Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance
Placement, 3rd Madison Eller - Agricultural Processing, 2nd Christian Reed
- Agricultural Sales Entrepreneurship, 2nd Wade Campbell - Agricultural Sales
Placement, 2nd Levi Surber - Agricultural Services, 1st Emilee Haley - Agriscience Research Animal
Systems, 2nd Brady Bothwell - Beef Production Entrepreneurship, 1st McKenzie Anderson
- Dairy Production Entrepreneurship, 2nd Kimberlee Roney - Dairy Production
Placement, 1st Brady Bothwell Diversified Agriculture Production, 3rd
Elena Boon - Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship, 1st Gunnar Leach
- Diversified horticulture, 2nd Kaylie Campbell - Diversified Livestock
Production, 3rd Jake Sampsel - Environmental Science & Natural Resources
Management 2nd, Claire Shipp - Food Science and Technology, 3rd Sheridan Guilford
- Food Service, 3rd Isaiah Boon - Forage Production, 1st Kade Plattner -
Goat Production, 2nd Marley Anderson - Grain Production
Entrepreneurship, 3rd Kaylee Peel - Landscape Management, 1st Kyle Hansen
- Sheep Production, 2nd Cole Gutshall - Small Animal Production &
Care, 2nd Lane Peters - Specialty Animal Production, 3rd Peyton Hein - Turf Grass
Management, 1st Austin Case - Vegetable Production, and 2nd Sarah Mason
- Veterinary Science.
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April
Meeting
04/12/17
On April 12, 2017,
the Chillicothe FFA Chapter held their annual April FFA meeting in the Chillicothe High School Performing Arts Center
with approximately 120 members attending. The meeting was held to vote on Honorary FFA membership which will be given out at the local banquet on May 5. The students also discussed class representatives
who will also present at the local banquet. At the conclusion of the meeting,
students enjoyed donuts, milk, and juice and took pictures for the local banquet program.
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District Contest Results
March 28, 2017 and
April 4-5, 2017
On March 28, 2017,
the Chillicothe FFA Chapter participated in the Northwest District FFA Contest. The results are as follows:
Agricultural Issues 1st place (state) - Elena Boon, Isaiah Boon, Marley Anderson, Gracie Ellis, Austin Case, Adler Marshall, Liberty Cox;
Parliamentary Procedure 1st place (state) - Molly Jones, Sarah Mason, McKenna Poling, Kim Roney, Claire Shipp, Madelyn Warren, Alt. Elitza Crouch,
Alt. Emilee Haley, Alt. Taylor Wilkison; Conduct of Meetings 4th place
- Montana Hall, Cameron Dudley, Kiely Kirkpatrick, Alayna Mason, CJ Pfaff, Magy Thomas, Madelyn Wilford;
Knowledge Team 11th place - Macy Gutshall, Caroline Warren, Montana Plattner, Josie Reeter;
Prepared Public Speaking Division II 2nd (state) - Kaylee Lewis;
Creed Speaking gold - Caroline Warren. All members as shown
will be advancing to the State FFA contest which will be held in Columbia on April 20 & 21.
On April 4 and April 5, 2017,
the Chillicothe FFA Chapter participated in the Northwest District Ag Contest. The results are as follows:
Agriculture Mechanics 9th place - Brady Bothwell, Clayton Campbell, Kyle Hansen, Kyler Manning;
Agronomy 9th place (state) - Garrett Cramer, Carleigh Crawford, Laney Gaston, Meredith Oesch, Alt.
Malloree Summers; Ag Sales 5th - Jaime Albertson, Cole Gutshall, Emma
Leamer, Zach Trout, Alt. Ben Jones; Dairy Cattle 16th place - Mack Anderson, Brock Gott, Kole
Larkins, Clayton Walker, Alt. Jaden Winder; Farm Management 11th place
- Kristina Hamilton, Sarah Mason, Kaylee Peel, Kade Plattner; Floriculture 30th
place - Abbey Daly, Sheridan Guilford, Nick Duncan, Jalynn Reeter; Forestry 9th place
- Caitlyn Cothern, Colten Johnson, Jessica Moore, Gabby Tiblow, Alt. McKayla Shady;
Livestock 14th place - Kaylie Campbell, Peyton Hein, Eric Davis, Cameron Moore, Alt. Hunter Horton, Alt. McKenzie Anderson;
Soils 12th place - Maggie Pfaff, Kennedie Kieffer, Jordan Hopper,
Kaylee Lewis, Alt. Sydney Baxter. The one team that qualified will
participate at state contest on April 20 and 21 in Columbia, MO.
- The following individuals placed in the top ten in their team competitions. Montana Plattner
4th place - Knowledge; Sarah Mason 5th place - Farm Management; and Jaime Albertson
8th place - Ag Sales.
- The Chillicothe FFA fielded 13 teams and 2 speakers at District Agriculture and FFA Career Development Events. A total of 72 students competed from the Chillicothe FFA.
- The career development events were held at Northwest Missouri State
University with 313 teams consisting of nearly 1250 students from 55 different schools
competing.
- Chillicothe FFA qualified 3 teams, 1 speaker, and 1 book for State FFA Convention. The convention is to be held on the campus of the University of Missouri on April 20 & 21, 2017 in Columbia, MO.
The local chapter is part of the Agricultural Education Program at the Grand River Technical School and is composed of students from Chillicothe and Southwest high schools.
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Planting
Seeds (Litton Crusaders)
March 31, 2017
First grade students from Dewey Elementary School received a little assistance from the Litton
Crusaders at the Litton Ag Campus on March 31, 2017. The students
learned about plants in class and were given the opportunity to get their hands a little dirty by planting marigold seeds.
The project will continue for the next couple of weeks by receiving weekly pictures of the seeds'
progress until the plants are ready to be transplanted into bigger pots. The students will then come to the Litton Ag Campus and get to transplant the marigolds into pots and take them home. The high school agriculture students assisted with the first graders in the planting process. All of the students had a great time.
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ForSight
PIE (Litton Crusaders)
March 31, 2017
Students from Mrs.
Howe's class at Central Elementary were having a hands-on learning experience on March 31, 2017. The students
learned about science with assistance from their Partners in Education, ForSight Eyecare, LLC. Dr. David Hoel and Stephanie Hoel visited the partner class once earlier in the year to have lunch with the
students, then they came back to participate in a fun learning experience with the students.

Dr. Hoel explained the parts and functions of the eye, as well as how the eye works. Then, with the help of the Litton Crusaders, the students were able to dissect a real cattle eye. The students
identified the main parts and even touch them, if they so choose. Mrs.
Howe's class wants to thank ForSight Eyecare and Dr. and Mrs. Hoel for all their help and support.

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Ag
Issues
March 21, 2017
On
Tuesday, March 21, 2017, the Chillicothe FFA Agricultural Issues Forum team presented to the
Chillicothe R-II School Board at the Chillicothe R-II School Administrative Building.
The purpose of the Agricultural Issues Forum is to provide students an opportunity to explore local agriculture issues and create an unbiased presentation to a public audience. The ability to understand and communicate clearly with the public about agriculture is important to the career success of students and to the agriculture industry.
Chillicothe FFA Chapter has chosen for their Agriculture Issues forum,
"Should the Next Farm Bill Include More Funding for the Conservation Reserve
Program?" The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat. Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, CRP is the largest private-lands conservation program in the United States. Thanks to voluntary participation by farmers and land owners, CRP has improved water quality, reduced soil erosion, and increased habitat for endangered and threatened species. In 2007, CRP peaked at 36.8 million acres enrolled, and by the fall of 2015, it was down to 24.2 million acres, its smallest size since the
1980's. Most recently, given the newest farm bill, the number of acres accepted in the Conservation Reserve Program was cut from 40 million to the current 24 million.

The Agriculture Issues Forum team has also presented previously to the Livingston County Farm Bureau Board, the Chillicothe Agri-Leaders, Chillicothe Rotary Club, Chillicothe Young Farmers, and the KMZU Farmer Appreciation dinner. The team received first place at the area level and will compete at the district level on March 28, 2017.
The FFA members on the Agriculture Issues team are: Marley Anderson, Elena Boon, Isaiah Boon, Austin Case, Liberty Cox, Gracie Ellis, and Adler Marshall.
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Area II Contest
March 15, 2017
On March 15, 2017, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter participated in the Area II FFA Contest. The speaking results are:
Creed Speakers: Caroline Warren 2nd and gold, Montana Plattner Alternate and gold;
Prepared Public Speaking Division I Speaker: Macy Gutshall 2nd and gold;
Prepared Public Speaking Division II Speakers: Kaylee Lewis 1st and gold, Garrett Cramer
silver; Prepared Public Speaking Advanced Division: Maggie Pfaff
Alternate and gold. FFA books Completed Ownership: Ben Hayen
gold; Completed Placement: Wade Campbell - gold; Beginning Ownership: Lainie Cowan
- 2nd and gold; Beginning Placement: Luke Hopper - gold; Scrapbook:
Sydney Baxter, Garrett Cramer, Colten Johnson, Lavery Jones, Kennedie Kieffer, Cade Koehly, Kaylee Lewis, Meredith Oesch, Maggie Pfaff, Catey Trout
1st and gold. Parliamentary Procedure team: Elitza Crouch, Emilee Haley, Molly Jones, Sarah Mason,
McKenna Poling, Kim Roney, Claire Shipp, Madelyn Warren, Taylor Wilkison
- 1st and gold. Agriculture Issues team: Marley Anderson, Elena Boon, Isaiah Boon, Austin Case, Liberty Cox, Gracie Ellis, Adler Marshall
1st and gold.

Those teams and individuals receiving 3rd place or higher will proceed to District competition March 28, 2017, in Cameron, MO.
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Chillicothe
Agri-Leaders and Livingston County Farm Bureau Meeting
March 13, 2017
On March 13, 2017, both the Chillicothe Agri-Leaders and Livingston County Farm Bureau Board hosted a few of the Chillicothe FFA members at the Litton Agriculture Education Center at their monthly meeting.
The members involved were: Creed Speaker Caroline Warren; Creed Speaker
Montana Plattner; Prepared Public Speaking Division I Speaker
Macy Gutshall. Parliamentary Procedure team: Elitza Crouch, Emilee Haley, Molly Jones, Sarah Mason, McKenna Poling, Kim Roney, Claire Shipp, Madelyn Warren, Taylor Wilkison.
Agriculture Issues team: Marley Anderson, Elena Boon, Isaiah Boon, Austin Case, Liberty Cox, Gracie Ellis, Adler Marshall.
Conduct of Meetings: Cameron Dudley, Montana Hall, Kiley Kirkpatrick,
Alyna Mason, CJ Pfaff, Magy Thomas, Madelyn Wilford.

The students presented their public speaking presentation in preparation for area competition. These
groups assisted the members by giving them feedback on their presentations, asking questions, and
being a willing audience. We would like to thank the Chillicothe Agri-Leaders and Livingston County Farm
Bureau members for their support and encouragement.
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Area II FFA Officer
Candidates
March 8, 2017
On March 8, 2017, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter sent two representatives to the Area II officer and state candidate interviews. The two representatives are Claire Shipp, area officer candidate, and Madelyn
Warren, state officer candidate.

Claire Shipp (left), area officer candidate, and Madelyn Warren, state officer
candidate
Claire is the daughter of John and Annie
Shipp and was Chillicothe's representative for an Area II officer. Lauren was selected as the Area II FFA Reporter for the 2017-2018 school year. Some of the activities that Claire will serve in an official capacity are Area Greenhand Initiation, Greenhand Motivational Conference, North Central Missouri Fair, Area Chapter Officer Institute, organizing area meetings, as well as leading the officer team.
Madelyn is the daughter of Doug and Laura Hughes and the late Scott Warren,
and was Chillicothe's representative for Area II State Officer Candidate. Madelyn was selected as one of the two the Area II
State Officer Candidates. She will attend the next round of state interviews on April 7, 2017, in Columbia,
Missouri.
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8th
Grade Recruitment
February 27, 2017
On February 27, 2017, the 8th grade students from the Chillicothe Middle School and Southwest
Livingston R-I Schools were given the opportunity to visit the Litton Agriculture
Campus. The purpose of the visit was to see what the Chillicothe Ag Department and Chillicothe FFA Chapter had to offer them next year as incoming freshmen in high school.

Senior members of the Chillicothe FFA
presented an overview of what activities they could participate in, courses offered, and a tour of the campus. The 8th
grade students are beginning the class selection process for their freshmen year of high school.

A letter will be mailed home at the beginning of the week to all parents with what was discussed at the recruitment day.
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Coloring
Contest
Results
Released 03/06/17
The Chillicothe FFA Chapter and Livingston County Farm Bureau held a coloring contest during National FFA Week and
Thank A Farmer week for students in Kindergarten and First grade. Each classroom was awarded a first place winner. The first place winner received a $5
McDonald's gift card. This activity was to help expose youth to agriculture. The winners
were: Kindergarten - Ashton Almojera, Braelyn Hayes, Turner Jackson, Adella Krause, Isabel Nagel, Remington Souders; First Grade
- Maddox BeVelle, Austin Cunningham, Carolina Hidy, Julia Jones, Hyun Lee, Fischer Shea, Kyra Slaughter, Antonio
Wysocki. Congratulations to all the winners. All contestant pages will be displayed at our local banquet on May 5, 2017.
 |
 |
Back - Mason Daniel, Chillicothe FFA 2nd Vice President,
Middle L to R - Braelyn Hayes, Turner Jackson; Front L to R - Ashton
Almojera, Isabel Nagel, Adella Krause |
Back
- Mason Daniel, Chillicothe FFA 2nd Vice President; Middle L to R
- Austin Cunningham, Carolina Hidy, Antonia Wysocki, Kyra Slaughter;
Front L to R - Maddux BeVelle, Fischer Shea, Julia Jones, Hyun Lee |
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Leadership
Class
February 24, 2017
Students from Mrs.
Howe's leadership class at Central Elementary School enjoyed a hands-on learning experience on February 24, 2017. The leadership group is the nature/agriculture
group. Students meet once a week to learn how leadership connects with nature and agriculture. The Litton Crusaders assisted the class
helping them plant seeds to germinate in their classroom. The seeds were provided by the University of Missouri Extension, and the
balance of the materials were provided by the Litton Crusaders program.

Later, the students will transplant the young plants into tubs that will be located at the school. The
students hope to be able to plant more vegetables as the temperatures start to warm.

The students would like to thank all involved with the planting activity, as well as the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation for supporting this activity through the Litton Crusaders program and the University of Missouri Extension.
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State
Officer's Visit
February 23, 2017
Logan Korff, Area 2 Missouri State Vice President, talks to a group of Litton Agriculture Education Center
students on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the Litton Agricultural Education Building. Logan talked
about what students could learn by being involved in the FFA organization and conducted leadership
games with the students. Logan is one of 16 Missouri State FFA Officers. His home chapter is the
Norborne FFA Chapter.

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National
FFA Week - Ag Olympics!
February
21, 2017
Chillicothe FFA Chapter members are observing National FFA Week and on Tuesday spent part of the day competing in
"Ag Olympics." Events included rolling tractor tires, team ski walks, hay bale jumps, potato sack races and an obstacle course.
C-T Photos / Jaime Saucedo
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FFA Bowling Party
February 5, 2017
On February 5, 2017, the Chillicothe FFA held their annual Bowling Party at the Fast Lane in Chillicothe. This party represents a reward for members as well as a time for fellowship. There were approximately 98 members present and everyone seemed to enjoy the afternoon.

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Speech Contest
2017 Missouri Young Farmer/Young Farm Wives
February 4, 2017
On February 4, 2017, at the Missouri Young Farmer/Young Farm Wives State Convention, Liberty Cox
represented the Chillicothe FFA Chapter and NW Missouri. The contest consisted of students preparing
a 6-8 minute speech on the topic of How can a FFA member agvocate after graduation? Liberty received
first place at the district level and was one of six to move on to the state competition.
The Missouri Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives Association (YF/YFW) is an agriculture organization
that promotes the personal and professional growth of adults involved in agriculture. This organization
provides the framework for inspiring personal achievement and strengthens agricultural leadership, which
fosters economic growth. The organization is an integral part of adult agricultural education programs
offered by local school districts with approved agricultural education programs. The association is for any
adult interested in agriculture to provide an opportunity for members to continue their education and
participate in leadership, cooperation, community improvement, social and recreational activities.
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Animal
Science - Baby Pigs
February 10, 2017
Students from Dewey Elementary kindergarten and first grade classes were
having a hands-on learning experience on February 10, 2017. The Litton Crusaders and the Livingston County Farm Bureau made
this visit possible as part of the Thank A Farmer program. The students
learned about habitats and animals with assistance from the Litton Crusaders program.
The students
had the opportunity to handle a baby pig and learn a little about them from the high school students. During the visit,
students got to learn about their pigs gender, name (ear notch), breed, what they eat, and
whatever other questions they came up with. Later on in the school year,
the students will take a field trip out to the Litton Agriculture Campus
and get to revisit those baby pigs as market hogs.
January
- Students from the Ag Science I and Animal Science classes at the Litton Agriculture Education Center were having a hands-on learning experience at the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center during January.
The students were learning about animal reproduction in class and then were getting to experience the real thing in person.

While at the Litton Ag Campus, the students gave the newborn baby pigs an iron shot, ear notched, clipped tails, and cut needle teeth. The students during first semester were in charge of charting the heat cycle, expected pregnancy date, name of sire, and day of artificial insemination for some of the sows housed at the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center.
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Lambs
at Preschool
January 25, 2017
Students from the
preschool classes at Diaper 'n Diplomas in the Chillicothe R-2 School District were
having a hands-on learning experience on January 25, 2017. The Litton Crusaders and the Livingston County Farm Bureau made this visit possible. The students initially read the story
"The Mitten" by Jan Brett. In the story Nikki's baba (grandmother) knits a pair of mittens.
A mitten gets lost in the snow, and many animals climb inside stretching the mitten. This led to many conversations about how mittens are
made which brought us to the subject of wool.

The students then moved into studying sheep a bit deeper with books and enjoyed the nursery rhyme
"Mary Had a Little Lamb" which students connected with having lambs at school. The students then
enjoyed the opportunity to handle a baby lamb and learn a little about them from the high school students.
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Denver
Livestock Show
January 5-8, 2017
More than 1000 youth from 32 states including Alberta, Canada,
attended the Western National Roundup January 5-8, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. The Conference, now in its 97th year, is held annually in early January, coinciding with the National Western Stock Show. This
year's theme of "Level up Your Leadership" is aimed at leaving participants with the confidence that they have the opportunity to create unique experiences and thrive in their self-defined future through 4-H and FFA.

L to R - Lance Martin (advisor), Cole Gutshall, Gunnar Leach, Zach Trout
Cole Gutshall, Gunnar Leach, and Zach Trout represented the Chillicothe FFA and Missouri FFA Association at this
year's Livestock Judging Event where they placed 6th overall. They were the 5th-high team in Reasons and Sheep judging as well. Individual Honors include: Cole
Gutshall 9th High Individual in Cattle, 14th overall; Gunnar Leach 8th High Individual in Cattle, 16th overall; and Zach
Trout 5th High Individual in Sheep, 11th High Individual in Reasons, and 29th overall.
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Missouri FFA Members
"Find their SUPER POWERS"
January 6, 2017
On January 6,
2017, 56 Chillicothe FFA members attended the Greenhand Motivational Conference in Trenton, Missouri, on the NCMC campus. Over 4500 first year FFA members from more than 320 Missouri High Schools had the opportunity to learn about being positive role models, learning to get involved, making sound choices, becoming active team members and making a positive difference in their lives, school and community at the annual Greenhand Motivational Conferences. These conferences presented by the State FFA Officers and sponsored by MFA Incorporated.

The State Officers of the Missouri FFA Association recently conducted
19 Greenhand Motivational Conferences in Missouri.
MFA Incorporated helped sponsor the conferences. Seated from left to right are: Vice President Hunter
Lovewell, Sherwood; Vice President Ashley Spear, Halfway; Vice President Heidi
Murry, Plato; Past Secretary, Alex Stichnote, Ashland; Vice President Vice President Katie
Imhoff, California; and President Colton Spencer, Aurora.
Through interactive workshops and skits, the State FFA Officers encouraged first-year FFA members to explore their talents and reach outside their comfort zone for the opportunities provided through FFA membership. They helped the new agriculture students set goals for their education, careers, and FFA experience.
Eighteen conferences were held at 13 different locations throughout the state: Missouri State Fair Grounds, Sedalia; Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green; Truman State University, Kirksville; Sullivan High School, Sullivan; Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff; Missouri State University, West Plains; Lincoln University, Jefferson City; Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau; Waynesville High School, Waynesville; Missouri State University, Springfield; Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph; University of Missouri, Columbia; and North Central Missouri College, Trenton.
The FFA is a national youth organization of over 649,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 342 chapters and more than 25,900 members in Missouri. The FFA strives 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.
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Governor’s Conference on Agriculture
December 16, 2016
On December 16, 2016, four Chillicothe FFA members attended the Missouri
Governor's Conference on Agriculture. Marley Anderson and Liberty Cox received an invitation for the conference due to their participation in the 2016 Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Emma Leamer and Madelyn Warren were asked to present on behalf of the Missouri FFA Association regarding the Meals of Hope food packaging event the chapter hosted in April of 2016.

Emma Leamer, Madelyn Warren, Marley Anderson, Liberty Cox
The Missouri
Governor's Conference on Agriculture is the premier opportunity for movers and shakers in the agriculture industry to collaborate with Missouri farmers and ranchers to look at opportunities to develop innovative ideas, discuss current issues, find new ways to connect with and educate consumers and tell the story of Missouri agriculture. Join Governor Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture on December 14-16, 2016, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO, as we look for ideas from all of those involved in the agriculture industry.

Emma Leamer, Madelyn Warren
The students were able to attended the following sessions while at the conference: The Next Frontier: Ag Technology,
Agriculture's Future Leaders, Networking Break, Youth Reception, and the Awards and Recognition Banquet with Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce.
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FFA Christmas Party
December 7,
2016
On December 7, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA held their annual Christmas
party at the Chillicothe Middle School. This party represents a reward for members on an excellent Barnwarming this year as well as a time for fellowship. The members enjoyed dinner and then moved into the field house for some games.
Members could choose basketball, dodge ball, volleyball, or participate in other activities.

Junior Class
The winners of the 3-on-3 coed basketball tournament were Adler Marshall, Konner Sewell, and Magy Thomas. The junior class
was the winner of the dodge ball tournament. The students also held a hat and glove drive
collecting 116 hats, 197 gloves, and 5 scarves that were given to the Salvation Army and House of Prayer. There were approximately 155 members present;
and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening.

Adler Marshall, Konner Sewell, Magy Thomas
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Fall Speaking Contest
11/02 &
9/16
On November 2, 2016, Chillicothe FFA students participated in the
Area II Fall Speaking Contest in Gallatin. Jaime Albertson competed in the Missouri Farm Bureau Contest, Madelyn Warren competed in the Missouri Pork Producers Contest, Marley Anderson competed in the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives, Sarah Mason competed in the Missouri Teach Ag, Meredith Oesch competed in the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation, Garrett Cramer competed in the Missouri
Cattleman's, and Liberty Cox competed in the Missouri Young Farmers speech contest. Madelyn, Jaime, Liberty, and Garrett moved on to the district competition on November 9, 2016.

L to R - Meredith Oesch, Garrett Cramer, Marley Anderson, Liberty Cox,
Jaime Albertson, Madelyn Warren, Sarah Mason
On November 9, 2016, Chillicothe FFA students participated in the
Northwest District Fall Speaking Contest in Cameron. Jaime Albertson competed in the Missouri Farm Bureau Contest, Madelyn Warren competed in the Missouri Pork Producers Contest, Marley Anderson competed in the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives, Garrett Cramer competed in the Missouri
Cattleman's, and Liberty Cox competed in the Missouri Young Farmers speech contest. Liberty received first place in the Young Farmers competition and will compete at the state level on February 4, 2017, in Columbia, MO.
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Trapshooting
11/05/16
On November 5, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the area trapshoot held at the Trenton Trap Range. The first place overall team was the Chillicothe team. The students enjoyed the day and learned a lot about competition. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter had 13 individuals shoot on Saturday; Brady Bothwell, Drake Bradley, Austin Case, Garrett Cramer, Ethan Davis, Madison Eller, Brock Gott, Peyton Hein, Wyatt Maddux, Sam Meservey, Jackson Pauley, Christian Reed, Clayton Walker, Randy Plattner (FFA Advisor), Tony Burtch (volunteer coach), and Sarge Ralls (volunteer coach) that traveled to Trenton. The 5-member first place team consisted of Brady, Garrett C., Eric D., Peyton, Clayton, with a score of 229 out of 250.

Trap Team - Garrett Cramer, Peyton Hein, Eric Davis, Clayton Walker, Brady Bothwell
Madison Eller received the honor of first place female individually with a score of 37 out of 50. Eric Davis
received the honor of first place male individually with a score of 49 out of 50. The members of the team are looking forward to more events.
|
 |
Madison Eller |
Eric Davis |
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Power
of the Blue Jacket
11/02/16
Richard Fordyce, Missouri Director of Agriculture, talks to a group of Litton Agriculture Education Center students on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at the MW Jenkins Expo Center at the Litton Agriculture Campus.

As
Missouri's Director of Agriculture, Fordyce has set forth priorities to advance youth in agriculture, international trade, farm safety, consumer awareness and environmental stewardship.
Fordyce spoke with students regarding their role in agriculture and how the opportunities and skills provided by FFA will turn them into the leaders of tomorrow. Agriculture is
Missouri's leading industry and will need strong leadership in the future.

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American
Royal
10/21-22/16
The American Royal began its existence in 1899 as The National Hereford Show. Since that time, the American Royal Livestock Show has grown to become one of the largest livestock shows in the nation!
The American Royal has developed a reputation as one of the most prestigious and toughest
competitions and draws an audience of owners, breeders, future business and agriculture leaders, and
animal enthusiasts from across the country. The Livestock Show is a national show that strives to impact
the future of agriculture by providing educational experiences and scholarships.
In 2016, more than 1,700 exhibitors from 33 states made the trip to Kansas City for the Royal. Throughout the two-week show, over
2,000 head of the nation's highest quality cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats were exhibited at the American
Royal Complex. Three Chillicothe FFA members exhibited their swine SAE projects on October 21-22,
2016. Cole Gutshall, Kaylee Lewis, and Zach Trout represented our chapter well at the national event.
Kaylee Lewis brought home the title of Reserve Champion Chester Gilt.
 |
 |
Kaylee Lewis |
Zach Trout, Kaylee Lewis, Cole Gutshall |
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Barnwarming
2016!
Updated
11/07/16
RECORD SETTING YEAR for the Chillicothe FFA Barnwarming!
On Saturday November 5, 2016,
the Chillicothe FFA held its annual Barnwarming festivities. These festivities included a dance, games, a hay tunnel, and the coronation ceremony. This
year's 2016 Barnwarming King and Queen are the seniors Brady Bothwell and Kristina
Hamilton (pictured).
The Senior
Class candidates - Kristina Hamilton (Randy and Ann Hamilton) and Brady Bothwell (Barrie and Julie
Bothwell) - raised $17,508.60 with an average of $416.87/person; the Sophomore Class
candidates - Carleigh Crawford (Reece and Shelby Crawford) and Garrett Cramer (John and Janet Cramer)
- raised $15,766.24 with an average of $267.22; the Junior Class candidates
- Marley Anderson (Mark and Anne Anderson) and Adler Marshall (Jeff and Kim Marshall)
- raised $8,662.00 with an average of $184.30; the Freshman Class
candidates - Lainie Cowan (Angie Dedrick) and Brock Gott (Noel and Ellen
Gott) - raised $10,949.57 with an average of $171.08.

Back, L to R - Brock Gott, Adler Marshall, Brady
Bothwell, Garrett Cramer
Front, L to R - Lainie Cowan, Marley Anderson, Kristina Hamilton, Carleigh Crawford
The chapter raised $52,886.41 this year for the
chapter's operations that average out to $249.46 per member. This broke the previous record of $ 37,582.52 set in 2015. The senior class also broke the highest class average
of $320.99 set in 2011. We would like to thank all the members of the community for the long-time support of our organization.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Candidates:
Front Row, L to R - Carleigh Crawford, Garrett Cramer, Lainie Cowan, Brock
Gott,
Marley Anderson, Adler Marshall; Back Row, L to R - Kristina Hamilton, Brady Bothwell

The tractor belongs to Brady Bothwell, a 1968 Allis Chalmers D17, which he restored during the
2015-2016 school year in his agriculture mechanics class. >>
See More
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Leadership
Class
10/28/16
Students from Mrs.
Howe's leadership class at Central Elementary School were having a hands-on
learning experience on October 28, 2016. The leadership group is the nature/agriculture
group wherein the students get to meet once a week to learn how leadership connects with nature and agriculture.

The Litton Crusaders assisted the class
with a field trip to Sydenstricker's of Chillicothe and a field farmed by Boon Farms.
Sydensticker's John Deere of Chillicothe allowed the students to get up
close and personal with farm equipment. Brad Newman, store manager, gave a short tour and sent the students home with a little souvenir.

Next, the students stopped by a soybean field farmed by Boon Farms. During their time at the field,
students saw what the plants looked like when they were ready to be harvested. The students would like to thank all involved with the field trip, as well as the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation for supporting this activity through the Litton Crusaders program.
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Papa
Charlie's
10/27/16
Students from all the Kindergarten and First Grade classes (248 students) at Dewey Elementary School
enjoyed a hands-on learning experience at Papa Charlie's Pumpkin Patch on October 27, 2016. The students learn about agriculture in the classroom through their regular curriculum and assistance from the Litton Crusaders program. During the school year,
students will learn all about animals on the farm, crops grown on the farm, and what farmers provide to the general population. As part of the Litton
Crusaders program students are given the opportunity to go to Papa
Charlie's Pumpkin Patch for a farm experience with a little fun mixed in.

Kindergarten

1st Grade
High school students (21 students) from the Litton Agriculture
Education Center assisted in the days' activities. The students pet several animals in the petting zoo,
visit with "Curly" the pig, see some longhorn cattle in their nature habitat, walk through a corn field, take a hayride, pedal a tractor, and get up close to hay bales. All in all the kids, had a fun day and would like to thank the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation for supporting this activity through the Litton Crusaders program.
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National FFA Courtesy Corps
10/19-22/16
Almost any event becomes more intriguing when viewed from behind the scenes. The 89th National FFA Convention, which includes everything from arena stage events to the Day of Service and workshops for nearly 55,000 attendees, is no exception. It takes many volunteers to help make a convention of this magnitude a positive experience for all of its guests. This year,
approximately 900 FFA members, including students from the Chillicothe FFA Chapter, formed the National FFA Courtesy Corps. The
students viewed the convention from the other side - backstage - playing a crucial role in the
event's logistics. Local members participating in the National FFA Courtesy Corps were Marley Anderson,
McKenzie Anderson, Kaylie Campbell, Austin Case, Liberty Cox, Carleigh Crawford, Colten Johnson,
Kennedie Kieffer, Kaylee Lewis, Jared Loney, Meredith Oesch, Maggie Pfaff, Taylar Simmer, and
Malloree Summers. The 89th National FFA Convention was held October 19
- October 22, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN.

Front L to R - Colten Johnson, Carleigh Crawford, Meredith
Oesch, Maggie Pfaff, Malloree Summers,
Marley Anderson, Austin Case; Back L to R - Taylar Simmer, Kaylie Campbell, Kaylee Lewis, Liberty Cox,
Kennedie Kieffer, McKenzie Anderson, Jared Loney
"Participants in the National FFA Courtesy Corps provide valuable services for the overall convention
operation," says National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown. "FFA gains a tremendous resource, and the
participants gain wonderful volunteer experience and an insight into the planning and logistics necessary
to ensure a safe and successful convention. They are key to our ability to create a premier leadership
and educational event for nearly 55,000 guests."
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of
7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 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. The National FFA Organization
operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of
public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.
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National FFA Convention
10/19-22/16
On October 19 through October 21, 2016, 14 members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY. The students attended many activities while in Louisville. The students attended leadership sessions, the career show, college fair, and convention sessions while at the convention hall. Students also attended a session
where the speaker was Diana Nyad, Author and Long-Distance Swimmer, a concert featuring Cole Swindell and Chris Young, Dr. Jim Wand
- Hypnotist, and visited the St. Louis Arch.

Front L to R - Marley Anderson, Malloree Summers, Kaylee Lewis, Maggie Pfaff,
Carleigh Crawford, Meredith Oesch, Austin Case; Back L to R - Jared
Loney, Colten Johnson,
Kennedie Kieffer, McKenzie Anderson, Liberty Cox, Taylar Simmer, Kaylie Campbell

Front L to R - Kaylie Campbell, Marley Anderson, Maggie Pfaff, Kaylee Lewis,
Carleigh Crawford, Malloree Summers, Meredith Oesch; Back L to R - Taylar Simmer,
McKenzie Anderson, Kennedie Kieffer, Liberty Cox, Austin Case, Colten Johnson, Jared Loney
Local members
who attended the convention were Marley Anderson, McKenzie Anderson, Kaylie Campbell, Austin Case, Liberty Cox, Carleigh Crawford, Colten Johnson, Kennedie Kieffer, Kaylee Lewis, Jared Loney, Meredith Oesch, Maggie Pfaff, Taylar Simmer, and Malloree Summers.
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Local Students Received American FFA Degree
10/19-22/16
Indianapolis, IN
- Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The American FFA Degree is bestowed up on a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. This year, 3,780 American Degrees will be awarded. Timber Ballantyne the son of Jerry and Jeannie Ballantyne, Kiley Boley the daughter of Rick and Rachel Boley, Lauren Haley the daughter of Steve and Brenda Haley, Katlyn Hamilton the daughter of Randy and Ann Hamilton, Bailey Henry the daughter of Melinda Henry, Carlee Johnson the daughter of Russ and Sheila Thomspon, Hallee Jones the daughter of Pat and Ginger Jones, Zach Quinn the son of Raymond and Robin Quinn, Colby Ruoff the son of Chris and Brenda Ruoff, and Haelee Shady the daughter of Layne and Misty Shady received the American FFA Degree at the 89th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 22, 2016. It is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing and service programs.
FFA members who qualify for the American FFA Degree: Have received the State FFA Degree, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state level. Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended. Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise. A student after entering agricultural education must have: a. Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or b. Earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56, plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree. Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of
"C" or better as certified by the principal or superintendent. Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours.
Sponsored by The American FFA Degree program is sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, DuPont Pioneer, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, the award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key and a certificate after being recognized on stage at that national convention.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 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. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at
www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
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College & Career Ready System of Support Meeting
10/19/16
On October 19, 2016, the
Agriculture Education on the Move: Missouri Farmers Care, FCS Financial and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council hosted the College & Career Ready System of Support Meeting in Chillicothe at the Farm Credit Services Building. Northwest Missouri school counselors and educators attended this
"Educator to the Farm" Tour Series. This tour was designed to assist educators about the value of agriculture in our communities and our schools. The attendees heard from FCS Financial, MFA AgriService, Brookfield Growth Partnership, and Chillicothe FFA members: Sarah Mason and Madelyn Warren. While many of the attendees had some knowledge, it is always beneficial to hear it from the perspective of students. The group also toured Show Me Ethanol, LLC in Carrollton, Missouri.

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Papa
Charlie's
10/14/16
Students from Pre-Kindergarten classes at Garrison Elementary School were having a hands-on learning experience at Papa
Charlie's Pumpkin Patch on October 14, 2016. The students learn about agriculture in the classroom through their regular curriculum and assistance from the Litton Crusaders program.
During the school year, students will learn all about animals on the farm, crops grown on the farm, and what farmers
contribute to the general population. As part of the Litton Crusaders program, students
were given the opportunity to go to Papa Charlie's Pumpkin Patch for a farm experience with a little fun mixed in. The students
pet several animals in the petting zoo, visited with "Romeo" the donkey,
saw some Longhorn cattle in their nature habitat, walked through a cornfield,
shot a pumpkin cannon, and got up close to hay bales. All in all, the kids had a fun day and would like to thank the Jerry Litton Family
Memorial Foundation for supporting this activity through the Litton Crusaders program.

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Greenhand
Initiation
10/12/16
On October 12, 2016, 51 Greenhands of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the Area II Greenhand Initiation ceremony in Gallatin, MO. The Area II officer team, which includes 1st Vice
President Madelyn Warren of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter, conducted the initiation. During the initiation, the Greenhands listened to the 2015 Area Creed speaker, Kaylee Lewis (Chillicothe) recite the creed, watched a slideshow featuring Area II Greenhands, listened to State FFA Officer, Logan Korff, speak, and were presented their Greenhand pins during the Greenhand Ceremony.

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Trapshooting
Area II
10/08/16
On October 8, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the area trapshoot held at the Trenton Trap
Range. The second place overall team was the Chillicothe team. The students enjoyed the day and
learned a lot about competition. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter had 13 individuals shoot on
Saturday. Brady Bothwell, Drake Bradley, Austin Case, Garrett Cramer, Ethan Davis, Madison Eller, Brock Gott, Peyton Hein, Wyatt Maddux, Sam Meservey, Jackson Pauley, Christian Reed, Clayton Walker, Randy Plattner (FFA Advisor), Tony Burtch (volunteer coach), and Sarge Ralls (volunteer coach)
traveled to Trenton for the event.
Pictured
at left: Madison Eller
The 5-member first place team consisted of Brady, Garrett C., Eric D., Clayton,
and Wyatt with a score of 202 out of 250. Madison Eller received the honor of first place female individually with a score of 41 out of 50. The members of the team are looking forward to more events.

Back L to R - Randy
Plattner, Tony Burtch, Eric Davis, Drake Bradley, Sarge Ralls
Front L to R - Madison Eller, Peyton Hein, Wyatt Maddox, Christian Reed, Garrett Cramer, Brady
Bothwell,
Clayton Walker, Austin Case, Brock Gott, Sam Meservey. (Jackson Pauley, not pictured)
With the help of the Chillicothe School District, school administration, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, the FFA is teaching students the self-discipline and responsibility of shooting sports. The objectives are to involve students in the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior, along with safe and responsible use of firearms. Additionally, the program helps to develop
self-confidence, personal discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The students were required to pass the Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education program and attended one of the safety meetings sponsored by the Ag Education Department.
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Chillicothe FFA
Parents' Night
October 5, 2016
On October 5, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA held their annual
Parents' Night, which 367 members and guests attended. This event welcomes the first year FFA member and their
parents to our organization and showcases some of our members' talents.

Kaleb Mullikan, Kole Larkins, Caroline Warren, Mack Anderson, Clayton Walker

Montana Plattner, Alayna Mason, Kiley Kirkpatrick, Olivia Cross, Cameron Dudley
The evening began with FFA opening ceremonies followed by a motivating welcome given by Cole Gutshall, Chillicothe FFA President,
and a school district welcome given by Dr. Roger Barnes, Chillicothe R-II School Superintendent. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter officers and Chillicothe FFA Assistant Officers presented the program. The program consisted of the Greenhand FFA Degree ceremony, Chapter FFA Degree ceremony, a Chapter Degree speech, a creed, as well as
five creeds presented by Greenhands.
 |
 |
Meredith Oesch |
Julius Humphreys, Austin
Minnis, CJ Pfaff, Josie Reeter, Dylan Holder |
The Chapter Degree speech was presented by Meredith Oesch and the creed by Kaylee Lewis. The creed was presented by Mack Anderson, Lanie Cowan, Olivia Cross, Cameron Dudley, Brock Gott, Macy Gutshall, Dylan Holder, Julius Humphreys, Kiley Kirkpatrick, Kole Larkins, Alayna Mason, Austin Minnis, Kaleb Mullikan, CJ Pfaff, Montana Plattner, Josie Reeter, Clayton Walker, Caroline Warren, Madelyn Wilford, and Jaden Winder.

Macy Gutshall, Lanie Cowan, Madelyn Wilford, Jaden Winder, Brock Gott
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Agronomy Class
September 24, 2016
Mr. Wolf's Agronomy class at the Litton Agriculture Education Center
is giving a new meaning to the phrase "Learning by Doing".

The students
performed an exercise to help them understand the plant cell better. The students took edible food and created a model of a plant cell. Students then got to enjoy the benefits of their knowledge and labor.

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Trapshoot
September 24, 2016
On September 24, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the area
trap shoot held at the Trenton Trap Range. The first place overall team was the Chillicothe team. The students enjoyed the day and learned a lot about competition. The Chillicothe FFA Chapter had 15 individuals shoot on
Saturday: Mack Anderson, Brady Bothwell, Drake Bradley, Austin Case, Garrett Cramer, Ethan Davis, Garret Donoho, Madison Eller, Brock Gott, Peyton Hein, Hunter Horton, Wyatt Maddux, Jackson Pauley, Christian Reed, Clayton Walker, Randy Plattner (FFA Advisor), Tony Burtch (volunteer coach), and Sarge Ralls (volunteer coach)
who traveled to Trenton. The 5-member first place team consisted of Brady, Garrett C., Clayton, Wyatt, Garret D. with a score of 179 out of 250. Eric Davis received the honor of first place individually with a score of 48 out of 50.

Back L to R - Brady
Bothwell, Clayton Walker, Mack Anderson, Eric Davis, Jackson Pauley;
Front L to R - Peyton Hein, Garrett Cramer, Garret Donoho, Brock Gott, Austin Case, Drake Bradley, Madison Eller

L to R - Tony Burtch, Brady Bothwell, Garret Donoho, Eric Davis (High Individual),
Clayton Walker, Garrett Cramer, Sarge Ralls, Randy Plattner. (Not pictured
- Wyatt Maddux)
The members of the team are looking forward to more events.
With the help of the Chillicothe School District, school administration, and the Missouri Department of Conservation,
FFA is teaching students the self-discipline and responsibility of shooting sports. The objectives are to involve students in the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior, along with safe and responsible use of firearms. Additionally, the program helps to develop self-confidence, personal discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The students were required to pass the Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education program and attended one of the safety meetings sponsored by the Ag Education Department.
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Old
Time Harvest Days
September 23, 2016
On September 23, 2016,
students from the Litton Agriculture Education Center attended the 2016
"Old-Time Harvest Days" sponsored by the Livingston County Steam & Gas Association held at the Litton Agriculture Campus.

Students could take part in several historical agriculture events such as apple cider making, butter making, hay thrashing, rope making, corn shelling, and many other educational activities.


By attending this event,
students are able to see how some of the "simple" things of today did not used to be so simple. The students, as part of the Litton Crusaders program, assisted in some of the various working demonstrations to assist the other 450 Livingston County youth
who were attending the Old-Time Harvest Days.
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Missouri
Welding Institute
September 22, 2016
On September 22, 2016, Mr. Caleb Wickham from Missouri Welding Institute came to speak with the junior and senior agricultural mechanics students at the Litton Agriculture Education Center. Mr. Wickham came to speak with the students about furthering their education after high school. Mr. Wickham says that furthering your education will help when entering the work force. He also had a question answer session with the students regarding enrollment, scholarships, and general information.

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FFA
Creed
September, 2016
The past couple of weeks,
the 65 FFA Greenhands have been working on presenting the FFA Creed in class. The FFA Creed states the beliefs and values that each FFA Member should uphold. The Creed has been revised two times, not to change the values or beliefs our organization holds but rather to reflect the change in our membership from the farm boys of the
1930's to the diverse population of members the FFA possesses today. The creed was written by E. M.
Tiffany and adopted at the third National Convention of the FFA. It was revised at the 38th Convention and the 63rd Convention.

Presenting the FFA Creed is the
students first chance at a public speaking activity. The students are to memorize a paragraph of the creed at a time and present it to their class. At the end, every student will
recite the creed in its entirety fully memorized to the class as well. Several activities are conducted in class to assist the
students in memorizing the creed. The picture above shows students playing the plate game in order to assist them in memorizing the FFA Creed. Almost all past FFA members can still remember parts or all of the FFA Creed. Most of those individual remember the power of those first two words
"I believe...".
The Greenhand members will be presenting the FFA Creed at the annual Chillicothe FFA
Parents' Night on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
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Area Chapter Degree Ceremony
September 22, 2016
On September 22, 2016, 42 Chapter Degree recipients of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the Area II Chapter Degree Ceremony in Chillicothe, MO. The Area II officer team, which includes 1st Vice President, Madelyn Warren of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter conducted the ceremony. During the
ceremony, the Chapter degrees watched a slideshow featuring Area II Chapter
Degrees, listened to the State FFA Officer, Katherine Imhoff, speak and were inducted in the Area II FFA Association as Chapter Degree members.
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Chautauqua
Petting Zoo
September
10-11, 2016
This year,
the Chillicothe FFA Chapter sponsored the petting zoo at the Chautauqua in the Park; this will be our
13th year to participate in the Chautauqua. Our FFA Chapter took this opportunity to share information with community members about agriculture. Approximately 85 members assisted with the petting zoo, which is enjoyable for people of all ages! The petting zoo contained
all sorts of animals such as a calf, puppies, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, kittens and horses.
The Chillicothe FFA Chapter also
hosted a coloring contest for the local youth. Prizes were given to each youth
completing the coloring contest. At the completion of the weekend, members
held a competition for the large prize winners with prizes including a John Deere Gator and a $20 cash award.
Winner in the 6 and under age division was DJ Matthews, in the 7-12 age division Sidney Batter, and in the over 13 age division Robin Moore.
Congratulations to all the winners. We would like to thank our local supporters Chillicothe Orscheln’s Farm and Home for the use of the gates, the Livingston County Farm Bureau assisted with the signs and hand sanitizer, and Sydenstricker of Chillicothe for providing prizes for the scavenger hunt. Thanks to all of the individuals that visited the Chillicothe FFA Chautauqua Petting Zoo!
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Mud
Volleyball Tournament
September 7, 2016
On September 7, 2016,
the Chillicothe FFA Chapter held its third annual Mud Volleyball Tournament. The tournament consisted of
25 teams with a double elimination event. There were 297 members and spectators present at the tournament with
pork burgers and chips provided for all. The team members consisted of FFA members, FFA
alumni, parents, and staff. The tournament created a fun atmosphere for freshman members to become more acquainted with upperclassmen as well as fuel a little friendly competition. The members would
like to thank the parents who helped prepare food as well as the parents and staff who participated in the tournament.

This
year's winning team was Team Action which consisted of Jaime Albertson, Cole Gutshall, Emma Leamer, Zach Trout, and Neal Wolf. The second place team was Rebel Reds which consisted of CJ Pfaff, Austin Minnis, Brad Hayen, Hesston Campbell, Kennedy Cortzette, and Alayna Mason.

First Place Team - Neal Wolf, Emma Leamer, Jaime Albertson, Zach Trout, Cole Gutshall

Second Place Team - CJ Pfaff, Austin Minnis, Brad Hayen, Alayna Mason, Kennedy Corzette, Hesston Campbell
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Gold
Rating at the Missouri State Fair
August 11-21, 2016
During the 2015-2016 school year,
Brady Bothwell restored an 1967 Allis Charmers D17 Series IV tractor during his time in his Agriculture Mechanic
classes. Bothwell purchased the tractor from Warren Culling of Dawn, MO.
Mr. Culling purchased this tractor for his farm, and it was his first tractor.
Bothwell received a gold rating at the Missouri State Fair. Bothwell is planning on the tractor being used on the farm for
baling straw.

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Missouri
Leadership Adventure
August 4, 2016
Members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the Missouri FFA
Association's 2016 Leadership Adventure Thursday, August 4, at the University of
Missouri's Bradford Research and Extension Center in Columbia. Local FFA members attending the 26th annual conference were Sydney Baxter, Lavery Jones, Kennedie Kieffer, Kaylie Lewis, Maggie Pfaff, and Catey Trout.
More than 250 students and advisors registered for this
year's leadership conferences in Springfield and Columbia, including members of 31 chapters across Missouri.
Conference coordinators Marvin and Karen Hoskey said, "This conference annually provides an excellent opportunity for Missouri FFA members to interact with other chapter, state, and national
leaders." More than 6,500 Missourians have attended FFA leadership conferences since 1990. This
year's leadership training was led by Andrew McCrea, former state and national officer from Missouri, and Corey Flournoy, former state and national officer from Illinois. Current Missouri state FFA officers guided small groups during the training sessions, teaching students personal leadership skills and planning for success. Students interested in self-discovery and unlocking their leadership potential did activities to build teamwork and people skills. The focus was to help
students plan to change the world and achieve their goals, using leadership skills and healthy
relationships.
Back L to R
- Kennedie Kieffer, Lavery Jones, Kaylee Lewis; Middle Row - Catey Trout, Maggie Pfaff, Sydney Baxter;
Front - Jacqueline Janorschke (MO FFA Secretary), Emily Lock (MO FFA Vice President)
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Area II Chapter Officer Workshop
August 1, 2016
On Monday, August 1, 2016,
the Missouri Area II Officers held a workshop for 107 chapter officers at the
Mervyn Jenkins Building at the Litton Agriculture Campus. The workshop focused on
instilling a sense of drive and determination to infect Area II FFA members and push them
toward creating and achieving their goals. The workshop consisted of the Area II
officers conducting opening ceremonies, then area chapters competing in a rituals'
contest, best-dressed, Ag Olympics, and most creative competitions. The rituals'
contest is to see which officer team can present the official FFA opening ceremonies with the fewest
flaws. The best-dressed contest is to see with chapter officer team was dress the best as a team. The
most creative was given to the officer team with the most creative attire.

Back Row L to R - Ben Jones, Mason Daniel, Isaiah Boon, Cole Gutshall, Kade Plattner;
Front L to R - Emma Leamer, Jaime Albertson, Claire Shipp, Marley Anderson, Liberty Cox, Madelyn Warren
The workshop sessions were personalized to their respective offices, challenging chapter officers to think outside the box and push the envelope as a new year starts for their chapter. The winners of the rituals'
contest was the Chillicothe FFA Chapter; the most creative was the Princeton FFA
Chapter; the Ag Olympics winner was the South Harrison FFA Chapter; and the best dressed was the Hamilton FFA
Chapter. The Area II officers planned and conducted the event. The officers
thank all those who attended, the judges for the rituals' contest, and Hy-Vee for providing the
day's meal. Continue to go all out for Area II!
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Officer Retreat
July 6-7, 2016
On July 6-7, 2016,
the Chillicothe FFA officer teams held their annual officer retreat -
this year, at Long Branch Lake in Macon, MO. The retreat focused on activities planning, communication skills, teamwork, and leadership. The officer teams set goals, planned activities for the chapter, worked on team building skills, and had a little fun. The officers had some time on the lake as well. When the work was over,
the officers enjoyed swimming at the lake and having some good fun around the camp fire. All in all,
the officers enjoyed their time together and have some new and fun events planned for the year.

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HYPE
FFA Academy
June 28-30, 2016
Emma Leamer of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter along with
28 other high school seniors from across Missouri completed the second annual
Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence (HYPE) FFA Academy June 28-30, in Trenton,
Missouri. The three-day academy is designed to inform and empower agriculture students to effectively engage in
today's issues. It was sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council and held at North Central Missouri College.
"This is a great opportunity to provide young people with the tools to get out and voice their agriculture
experience," said Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Chairman Gary Porter of Mercer,
Missouri, who shared his farm story with students during an industry panel.
"These students are so sharp, so far ahead of the game compared to what we were when we were their age. They have the skills and background to confidently tell their story and offer a unique perspective on Missouri
agriculture."

Students learned how to effectively talk about their experiences in farming, overcome obstacles and
develop their communication and personal skills. Learning sessions included advocacy training,
communication basics and social media outreach. Students also heard from farmers, industry
representatives, bloggers and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer on how to effectively advocate on
issues. The group also toured Show Me Ethanol, LLC., in Carrollton,
Missouri, to learn more about the ethanol industry and the importance of being involved in the legislative and regulatory process.
Wrapping up the academy, participants put their skills into action during mock legislative hearings. Students
presented on key issues to Missouri Sens. Brian Munzlinger and Dan Hegeman and State Reps. Allen Andrews, Bill Reiboldt, J. Eggleston, Jay Houghton and Joe Don
McGaugh.
"This is such a great learning opportunity. It is so much more than sitting in the ag classroom or doing contest teams. It is actually going out and seeing real life situations and how we can be involved in the industry
we're passionate about," said HYPE participant Abby Bertz of the Odessa FFA Chapter.
"It's our turn and our obligation as the next generation of agriculturalists to take what we know and share
it." Learn more about HYPE by contacting Missouri Corn Communications Manager Hilary Black at (573) 893-4181 or
hblack@mocorn.org. The National FFA Organization makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council is an organization of corn
growers dedicated to developing and expanding corn markets, educating growers and customers and
exploring new research opportunities. Learn more at www.mocorn.org.
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National
Dairy Month
June 28, 2016
On June 28, 2016,
the Livingston County Farm Bureau went to the visit the Kindergarten summer school class
(approximately 43 students) at Dewey School in honor of National Dairy Month. Suzi Beck, Livingston County Farm Bureau Board member, spoke with the students and discussed what products are made from milk and where milk comes from.
Courtesy of the Livingston Farm Bureau, the students enjoyed an ice cream sandwich. This activity helped educate youth about agriculture.

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Camp
Rainbow
June 21 & 24, 2016
Students from the Chillicothe FFA Chapter at the Litton Agriculture Education Center
enjoyed a hands-on experience at Camp Rainbow in Trenton, MO on June 21 and 24, 2016. Camp Rainbow is in its 55th year. It is a tradition of love and concern for the handicapped through the efforts of many young people and adults who have made it possible. Camp Rainbow is a camp for children and adults with various types of mental and physical disabilities. The FFA members brought in a bucket calf, pigs, goats, and lambs to the residents to help brighten their day a little bit.
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National Leadership Conference
June 14-18, 2016
Thirteen (13)
members of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the National FFA Washington Leadership Conference this June 14-18, 2016. Members in attendance were Jaime Albertson, Brady Bothwell, Clayton Campbell, Mason Daniel, Hunter Haakonstad, Kristina Hamilton, Ben Jones, Emma Leamer, Sarah Mason, Jalynn Reeter, Logan Sampsel, Levi Surber, and Madelyn Warren.

The members from Chillicothe
were sponsored by the following organizations: Jerry Litton Family Foundation, Chillicothe Young Agri-Leaders, Bothwell Family Farms, Trans Ova Genetics, American Family
Insurance/Janet McCauslin agent, Chillicothe FFA Alumni, DQ Precision Planting/George & Marta Quinn, Dan & Wilma Graham United Country Real Estate, Russ & Shelia Thompson, Chillicothe FFA and MO FFA Alumni Association. The group would like to thank these sponsors for their help with the trip.
Thousands of FFA members from throughout the country are converging on Washington, D.C., this summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills and create a meaningful community service plan that will make a difference in their home communities.
More than 2,100 students are registered for the 2016 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., this
year's conference began June 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Since 1969, the National FFA Organization has hosted this student leadership event. From June 7 to July 30, members
spend a week under the guidance of professionals, counselors and FFA staff members. In workshops, seminars and small groups, students
focus on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters.
Students also analyze the needs of their communities back home, develop a wide-ranging and high-impact community-service initiative and implement their plan with the help of their FFA chapter upon return home.
Students in recent years have promoted agricultural literacy; brought awareness to abuse; collected and distributed shoes to individuals in Haiti; created an awareness plan on hunger, and more.
During their time in D.C., FFA members
also experience the history of the nation's capital, touring landmarks including the Washington Monument, War Memorial, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, among others. Students
also have an opportunity for congressional visits during the week. The 2016 Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by title sponsors Monsanto and CSX and weekly sponsors, Farm Credit, Growth Energy and Express Professional Employment.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 629,367 student members who belong to one of 7,757 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
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HYMAX Academy at Camp Rising Sun
June 17-19, 2016
Kaiser, MO
- Garrett Cramer, Cade Koehly, and Meredith Oesch members from the Chillicothe FFA Chapter attended the 4th Annual HYMAX Academy from June 17-19, 2016. HYMAX, sponsored by the Missouri FFA Association, was held at Camp Rising Sun located within the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The academy provided extensive leadership training for 100 high school students who are members of FFA across Missouri every year. The high school sophomore students were selected out of many applicants to attend this Agricultural Advocacy academy. They were trained by MO State FFA Officers as well as past MO State FFA Officers, Agricultural Educators, Teach Ag Ed Ambassadors, and MO FFA State Staff. Students learn how to advocate for agriculture, strengthen their Supervised Agricultural Experience, and develop their communication and personal leadership skills.

The National FFA Organization makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Nationally there are over 500,000 FFA members. Missouri ranks 4th in the nation with over 25,000 FFA members.
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June FFA Meeting
June 21, 2016
On June 21, 2016, the Chillicothe FFA Chapter members met for their June FFA Meeting. The meeting was held at Chilli Bay and the Litton Agriculture Campus. The 80 members in attendance also participated
in recreational activities at Chilli Bay, then went back to the Litton Campus
for team building activities (wiffle ball game, food, and a "Movie Under the
Stars"). The purpose of the June FFA meeting was to promote fellowship among the members.


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Missouri FFA Chapter Officers
Participate in Training
June 1, 2016
Chillicothe FFA Officer Teams attended the LEAD conference on June 1, 2016. Over 1200 local Chapter FFA officers and 186 advisors from 138 chapters attended the annual LEAD training. The LEAD (Learn, Educate, Advance, and Develop) training is designed to help prepare each officer team for their term of service for the 2016-2017 school year. The officers were provided team-building and bonding
opportunities, the opportunity to increase their knowledge about advocating for agriculture and agricultural education, time to work on their
chapter's Program of Activities, prepare guidelines for leading a chapter meeting, and help with planning an FFA event. They also had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on leading a meeting, planning events, and more topics in depth knowledge on advocating. The choice to become active team members and make a positive difference in the lives of local FFA members, school, and community was evident at each site. These conferences are sponsored by the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund.
The facilitators consisted of past state officers who were divided into a north and a south team. The training was held at eight different locations throughout the state: Shelbina Catholic Church, Shelbina; North Central Missouri College Ketchum Center, Trenton; Richmond High School, Richmond; State Fair Community College, Sedalia; Crowder College, Neosho; Missouri State University, Springfield; Rolla Junior High School, Rolla; and Cape Girardeau Technical School, Cape Girardeau. Through interactive workshops, the facilitators encouraged the officer teams to reach outside their comfort zones to provide leadership opportunities for their local chapters.
The FFA is a national youth organization of over 620,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with 343 chapters and more than 25,800 members in Missouri. The FFA strives 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.
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Beginning
Meeting
May 24, 2016
On May 24, 2016,
youth from Livingston County began their work at the Litton Agri-Science Learning
Center. The Litton Ag Campus was designed for the youth of Livingston County to learn more about agriculture as well as house their 4-H and FFA projects. In exchange for housing their projects there,
the youth assist in the care and maintenance of the Litton Ag Campus. Local youth sign a contract that states they will provide care for their animal and help maintain the Litton Ag Campus grounds.
In exchange, they are allowed to use the facilities and livestock equipment.

In the picture above, local youth are going over their contracts and learning what duties are expected of them. Most of the livestock will be housed at the Litton Ag Campus from early April to late August. This allows the youth to participate in local, state, and national livestock shows. This year at the Litton Agriculture Campus there are 65 market hogs, 2 market lambs, 3 market goats, and 8 cattle owned by 48 Livingston County youth.
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Livestock Show Extravaganza
May 14 and
15, 2016
On May 14 and 15, 2016,
the Litton Agriculture Campus MW Jenkins Expo Building hosted three swine shows and three
lamb shows. There were approximately 1142 head of hogs shown during the two-day
event and 306 head of lambs.

On Saturday morning,
the Wolf Showpig Bonanza was sponsored by the Chillicothe FFA Alumni
featuring 440 head of hogs. Show sponsors were... Platinum Sponsor - Show Stock Outfitters; Gold Sponsors
- Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, Copeland Development & Construction, Farm Bureau Insurance-Joe Neptune, Grand River Technical
School, JR Reid Show Pigs, Judging Pro, Sydenstricker John Deere-Chillicothe, Trans Ova Genetics, Wolf Brothers, Wolf
Farms, Woodworth Manufacturing; Silver Sponsors - American Family Insurance-Janet McCauslin, Barnes Baker
Motors-Chillicothe, BTC Bank, Chillicothe Animal Hospital, Chillicothe State Bank, Cooke Used Parts &
Equipment, Diamond J Livestock/Davis Livestock, Dr. Greg Miller & Family, Farmers Electric
Cooperative, GFG Ag Services, Graves Cattle Company (Preston & Sam
Graves), Hinnen Hauling & Construction, Hutchinson & Company, MFA Agri-Services, T&R Soil
Service; Bronze Sponsors - Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc., Curtis Show Pigs, Martin Show Pigs-Paul Martin, Russ &
Sheila Thompson.

Supreme Gilt
award went to Brayde Adam, Reserve Supreme Gilt went to Emily Montgomery, 3rd Overall Gilt went to Clayton Thompson, 4th Overall Gilt went to Abbe Gibson, and 5th
Overall Gilt went to Cole Gutshall. Supreme Barrow went to Abbe Gibson, Reserve Supreme Barrow went
to Tyler Girke, 3rd Overall Barrow went to Britney Adam, 4th Overall Barrow went to Taylor Cope, and 5th
Overall Barrow went to Lyle Bruns-Houx. Champion Novice Showmanship went to Ty Murphy, Reserve
Novice Showmanship to Beau Graves, Runner-up Novice Showmanship to Lydia Nolting, 4th Runner-up
Novice Showmanship to Truman Wilson, 5th Runner-up Novice Showmanship to Ashton Johnson;
Champion Junior Showmanship to Carlee Long, Reserve Junior Showmanship to Alexis
Koelling, Runner-up Junior Showmanship to Remington Isaacs, 4th Runner-up
Junior Showmanship to Braylin Brunkhorst, 5th Runner-up Junior Showmanship
to Curtis Humphreys; Champion Intermediate Showmanship to Kaycee Vandiver, Reserve Intermediate Showmanship
to Cole Murphy, Runner-up Intermediate Showmanship to Tayler Cope, 4th Runner-up Intermediate Showmanship
to Eli Henkey, 5th Runner-up Intermediate Showmanship to Katelyn Robinson; Champion Senior Showmanship
to Gunnar Leach, and Reserve Senior Showmanship to Zach Trout, and Runner-up Senior Showmanship
to Cole Gutshall, 4th Runner-up Senior Showmanship to Lindsey Robinson, and 5th Runner-up Senior
Showmanship to Cody Birt.

The two swine shows and one lamb show held on Sunday, May 15, 2016 were sponsored by the
Princeton FFA featuring 702 head in both of the swine shows and 85 head of
lambs in the lamb show.
On May 14, 2016, the Missouri Lamb Breeders
Associations put on the Missouri Club Lamb Futurity with approximately 87 head
and the Youth Lamb Show with approximately 134 head.
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