FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012 A5 THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER | WWW.AMNEWS.COM A4 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012 THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER | WWW.AMNEWS.COM The Mercer County FFA Chapter is preparing for a great celebration and that is National FFA Week. The week will be full of food and fun for FFA members and supporters of the organization. The chapter will conduct themes each day such as favorite truck/tractor t-shirt Tuesday, camo Wednesday, overalls, flannel, and boot Thursday, and crazy blue and gold Friday. Community service activities includ- ed a fundraiser for the Mercer Co. Humane society and a cooperative canned food drive with Burgin and Boyle Co. FFA. Last but not least a meal cooked and served to all FFA members. The FFA is gearing up for regional competition as well as state FFA contests. Members have been working very hard with parliamentary procedure, impromptu speaking, pre- pared public speaking, creed speaking, and preparing for state and American degree programs. Then co-curriculum event will start with welding, small engine, floral design, and agriculture mechanics. To show off SAE pro- grams, members will be partici- pating in regional paperwork day at Jessamine County which includes several proficiencies. FRESHMEN NEWS: Kendra Rowland reported the following highlights from the 9th Grade Academy. Seventy four freshmen earned the Greenhand degree. Kandace Gash will be competing in the Creed Speaking Contest. The freshman officer team is collaborating with the Kentucky Farm Bureau for Food Checkout Week. . The 2012 Junior Chapter Meeting Team, Record Keeping team and public speakers are practicing for com- petition in March. They have big shoes to fill since the 2011 Junior Chapter Meeting team won the regional and State Competition. In the Greenhouse, students have been raising cucumbers and tomatoes for the school cafeteria. Soon, they will start preparing for the Spring Greenhouse Sale. Leadership classes have focused on team building, communication skills, and are entering a public speaking unit. HIGH SCHOOL NEWS: Michael Jones reported the following highlights from production agriculture and leadership. The Equipment Operation & Maintenance class has constructed round bale movers; several feed troughs, and welded numerous pieces of equipment for different people in the communi- ty. Ag Power class rebuilt two tractors for farmers in the community. The small engine class cleaned and serviced lawn mowers and weed eaters for community members as part of their class curriculum. Projects PALS has kicked off with high school students mentoring elementary students, developing a nursing home program and implementing team activities for high school students. Dan Stoltzfus reported the following highlights from his classes The class also did an awesome job in Floral Design. It is always fun in the Small Animal Class, where students learn all about companion animals and built various animal housing projects. The highlight for this class was going to the Louisville Zoo and taking care of their animal project for the semester. The Greenhouse I class is cleaning out the Greenhouse and preparing for a huge bedding plant sale. to come out and buy quality plants at a great price. The sale usually starts the last week of April. The Ag program is so blessed to have the support of the administration. Because of them, we are able to provide lab experience in the shop, greenhouse, and school farm that are second to none. Our community is also very support- ive. They are so gracious in providing clinics, field trips, and special speeches to greatly enhance the Ag Education experience. As a result of the above support along with wonderful parents and three Ag teachers that have a com- bined 50 years teaching experience here in Mercer County, our FFA ROCKS! FFA ACTIVITIES: The Mercer County FFA chapter has a very strong tradi- tion in participating in the state fair and this year was no different. In “Team Events” we participated in the following: livestock judging, dairy judging, nursery judging, floricul- ture judging, small engine, equine bowl, beef bowl, small animal bowl, and agriculture sales, agronomy and won the regional welding contest and went to state. Students showed in the following areas: dairy, sheep, hogs, goats, and rabbits. The Parliamentary Procedure Team won the regional contest and participated in the state contest in Lexington. For the second year, the FFA has raised feeder cattle on the Ag Farm. Students maintained a health pro- gram for the cattle and insured they were properly fed and watered daily. The cattle were sold at Bluegrass Stockyards and the profits will go toward purchasing more cattle for the program next year. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: The Mercer County FFA believes that members must take a break from working and have a bit of recreational time. This year’s recreational events have been the best ever! There have been two FFA Fun Nights full of food and games with over 80 mem- bers attending each night. The Christmas Party is always an event that the members enjoy coming together for food, fun, and the annual SWAT game. This year members attended a great week of events at the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES: Mercer Co. FFA made a bold goal at the Ky FFA Leadership Training Center this year. They decided to focus on helping the community out this year by volunteering at least 500 hours of community service. As of January, we have com- pleted nearly 400 hours with several months left to reach our goal. Community Events included the following: Assistance with orientation of new high schools students through scheduling, greeting, room awareness and teacher introductions. Over fall break we had 25 members sacrifice a day of fall break to paint a community members fence, assisting in 3 MCSH blood drives, canned food drive, Love Tree wrapping, and helped Mercer Co. Farm Bureau unload semi trucks from Florida for local members and vol- unteered at the Intermediate school unloading fundraiser products. Blue Grass Livestock Marketing Group Your full service livestock auction Lexington Stanford - South Cattle Auctions Cattle Auctions Mon.-Tue. 8:30 AM Mon. 9:00 AM Thurs. 8:30 AM Special Cow Sales Special Cow Sales 4 th Wednesday of Each Month 6:30 PM 3 rd Friday of Each Month – 6:00 PM CPH 45 & Internet Sales Contact: Jim or Glenna Gibson Michael Noe – Manager Call David Holt or Bob Holt for more information Tina Murphy – Office Manager (859) 255-7701 or 1-800-621-3972 (606) 365-0665 Website: www.bgstockyards.com ***LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR MARKETING DECISIONS*** “We Are Here To Serve YOU” Proud sponsor of the State FFA Stars in Agribusiness, Placement and Production Proud sponsor of 60 DAY LAYAWAY WE TAKE TRADES GUN STORE 611 NORTH COLLEGE STREET HARRODSBURG, KY 859.733.9255 H ENSLEY ’ S REGULAR HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM • SATURDAY 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM WE SELL GUN SAFES! WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FFA! FREEMAN & DEDMAN FREEMAN & DEDMAN REAL ESTATE & AUCTION CO. www.freemanauction.com 77252 300 S. CHILES • HARRODSBURG, KY 734-2880 We Are Proud To Support The FFA! 209 Harding Street • Danville, KY 859-236-4932 FARMERS TOBACCO WAREHOUSE YOUR FULL SERVICE AUCTION WAREHOUSE Staton Nesbitt Financial Services Ocer NMLS#469975 [email protected] • e-farmcredit.com 859-236-1113 • Toll-Free 800-880-1114 • Fax 859-236-0308 • Cell 502-655-9333 101 Citation Drive • Suite B • Danville, KY 40422 KY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE James Comer, Commissioner Chris Caudill, Expo Co-ordinator 502-564-4983 March 2 - 4, 2012 KY FAIR & EXPOSITION CENTER Louisville, Kentucky SELLING 100 BULLS • 400 FEMALES 11 BREED SALES • 1 ALL BREED HEIFER SALE Junior Heifer & Junior Steer Shows, Sunday, March 4th KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU BEEF EXPO SPONSORED BY KENTUCKY BEEF EXPO Event Phone: 502-367-5472 Tim Dievert 859-238-3195 111235 LEARNING TO DO, DOING TO LEARN, EARNING TO LIVE, LIVING TO SERVE. MERCER COUNTY FFA Volunteers and participants at the Mercer Co. Farm Bureau Outstanding Youth Contest. The floriculture judging team display their floral arrangements at the Kentucky State Fair. Members are Amber, Jamie, Geneva and Hayley. Allisa Sowder and Matthew Hamilton serve lunch at Southern States in Harrodsburg for community members. The Ag. Consumerism class visits the FFA farm to care for feeder calves and develop a nutrition plan. Levi, Dakota and Hunter enjoy a BBQ with Anderson Co. FFA for the Mercer vs Anderson football game FFA members donate a day of their fall break to assist a community member with their fence. Dynamics of FFA class participates in a leadership activity that involves team- work and communication skills. 2011 Regional FFA Day participants. Mercer County represents the Bluegrass Region very well! Aquaculture Bowl, Equine Bowl, Beef Bowl, Small Animal Bowl and Ag Sales Teams participate in regional competition. 74 9th Graders are recognized for receiving their FFA Greenhand Degree (Group 2) The 2011-2012 Mercer Co. FFA Officer team installs Greenhand Candidates. 74 9th Graders are recognized for receiving their FFA Greenhand Degree (Group 1) State FFA President Kendall Mallory visits the Agriculture classes at the Mercer Co. 9th Grade Academy for a Leadership Workshop. MERCER COUNTY FFA: NEWS UPDATE PRESIDENT HUNTER DRURY VICE-PRESIDENT ALLISA SOWDER SECRETARY OWEN WATKINS TREASURER ASHTON JONES REPORTER OLIVIA NICHOLS SENTINEL JAY MILLION PARLIAMENTARIAN KEVIN PEAVLER HISTORIAN RAYCHEL PETE CHAPLAIN MEAGAN PINKSTON ASSISTANT PRESIDENT SARAH CURTSINGER ASSISTANT VICE-PRESIDENT AUSTIN HAZELWOOD ASSISTANT SECRETARY CANDACE ANDERSON ASSISTANT TREASURER LANDON BISHOP ASSISTANT REPORTER CELESS DARLAND ASSISTANT SENTINEL KANSAS CHUMBLEY ASSISTANT PARLIAMENTARIAN CHASE WAKINS ASSISTANT HISTORIAN LEHA BLAKE SAEP COMMITTEE LAYNE HAHN LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE KARISSA RAKES COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE JESS ROBINSON RECREATION COMMITTEE COLIN PINKSTON CONDUCT OF MEETINGS COMMITTEE MEGAN SHEWMAKER SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE MATTHEW HAMILTON ALUMNI COMMITTEE ALESHIA CHILTON PUBLIC RELATIONS REBECCA KAENZIG COOPERATION COMMITTEE BRITTANY GIBSON EARNINGS AND SAVINGS ZACH MILLER FFA ADVISORS: KENDRA HORN • MIKE JONES • DAN STOLTZFUS 2011-12 MERCER FFA OFFICER TEAM 2011-12 MERCER FFA ASST. OFFICER TEAM 2011-12 MERCER FFA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN 9th Graders attend their first Mercer Co. FFA Fun Night. 2011 - 2012 FRESHMAN EXECUTIVE TEAM 2011 - 2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN PRESIDENT KYLE ELLIS • VICE-PRESIDENT BECCA DRURY SECRETARY KRISTIAN CRANK TREASURER CHELSEY BUGG • REPORTER TORI CARTER SENTINEL BRANT GOODLETT • PARLIAMENTARIAN JACKSON JOHNSTON HISTORIAN ASHLIN KENDRICK • CHAPLAIN LOGAN HAMLIN ALUMNI MADISON FYFFE • COMMUNITY SERVICE KELSI EDWARDS CONDUCT OF MEETINGS RACHEL WHEELER • SAE JACOB SMITH COOPERATION BILLY LANHAM • EARNINGS & SAVINGS CHANTEL ELAM LEADERSHIP TAYLOR WORTHINGTON • PUBLIC RELATIONS TAYLOR GRAY RECREATION NATHANIEL BRAY • SCHOLARSHIP HANNAH LOGUE FEBRUARY 18-25, 2012 FEBRUARY 18-25, 2012 Valley Farm Equipment Inc. Offer expires 3/15/2012 With Purchase of a NEW TRACTOR With Purchase of a NEW TRACTOR receive your choice of a receive your choice of a Free Canopy or Free Cab Cam! Free Canopy or Free Cab Cam! 8160 North Hwy 27 Science Hill, KY 42553 131 East Lane Nicholasville, KY 40356 www.valleyfarmeq.com Wes & Sheila Hargis 606-423-3421 Toll Free: 1-866-KYVALLEY Blue Grass South Livestock Market, LLC 277 Cordier Lane • US HWY 150 1 Mile East of Stanford, Kentucky 606-365-0665 CATTLE AUCTIONS Monday at 9:00 AM • Thursday at 8:30 AM Michael Noe - Manager • Tommy Hundley - Yard Manager Tina Murphy - Stock Sales / Office Manager HERE TO SERVE ALL YOUR LIVESTOCK MARKETING NEEDS Open for delivery 24 hours / 7 days a week. Will help arrange trucking and delivery in and out of sale. www boballenmotormall com CHRYSLER • DODGE • JEEP • RAM • NISSAN • CADILLAC • GMC Bob Allen Motor Mall 725 Maple Avenue • Danville 859-236-3217 Toll-Free: 1-877-773-3217 Bob Allen Used Car Superstore Perryville Rd. at US 127 Bypass • Danville 859-236-9115 Toll-Free: 1-877-325-9115 State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Robert W. (Bob) Miller, LUTCF Agent P.O. Box 1929, Greenleaf Centre, Danville, KY 40423 Bus. 859 236-4201 Fax 859 238-7519 77208 111223 STUDENTS... FARMERS... NEIGHBORS... FRIENDS... 1111 Perryville Rd. • Danville 236-0400 • 1-800-786-BURK (2875) Monday - Friday 7:30 - 5:30 • Saturday 7:30 - noon www.burkmann.com 77111 STUDENTS... FARMERS... NEIGHBORS... FRIENDS... We’re glad to have the privilege of helping our area FFA chapters! BEST WISHES! BEST WISHES! www.mycustomair.com 202 FORD STREET • DANVILLE, KY 40422 CALL 236-5417 or 800-248-2498 TODAY! Proud to Support the FFA Jim & Monte Cress KY HVAC License #M00355 111227 HARRODSBURG MAILING AND SHIPPING CENTER For all ofyour Mailing & Shipping Needs! www.HarrodsburgMailandShip.com Copies • Faxes • Notary • Boxes • Packing Owner: Sam Qualls 760 South College St. Harrodsburg, KY 40330 Ph.: (859) 734-0244 Cell: (859) 613-1726 TEAM EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST ———————————— Brad Walls ~ Evan Mossbarger Bobby Springate ~ Doug Shippy Casey Taylor Salesmen ——–————-——— 977 South College Street Harrodsburg, KY. 40330 800-858-4569, 859-734-4775 Fax: 859-734-7483 TEAM EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS The Mercer County FFA Officers, Asst. Officers and Committee Chairmen visit the Ky FFA Leadership Training Center during the summer for chapter development.