May 20, 2008
Sleepy Eye FFA Banquet
My first speaking engagement as a Minnesota State FFA Officer required me to travel to the beautiful town of Sleepy Eye, home of the Indians. This was my first visit to Sleepy Eye; even though it is part of Region VI, I’ve never made it up there. So, seeing the growing chapter’s past year of success was truly a treat for a passionate FFA member like myself.
Sleepy Eye has many outstanding activities that involve their whole chapter and community. I think the most unique activity their chapter hosts is their annual corn maze, usually held in August. The Sleepy Eye FFA chapter owns land, plants their acres full of corn every year and as a chapter comes up with a design for their maze. After about two weeks of growth, members go through and mow down the paths with lawn mowers. After corn is grown to full height, the maze is ready. Sleepy Eye also leaves the corn up until Halloween and makes the maze into a haunted house! How cool, right?
Awards were handed out and a new officer team was installed. With four National FFA Degree candidates, Sleepy Eye is continuing to stay on top of their game! I can’t wait to visit them again! Hopefully the State Officer team can make an appearance during their annual corn maze!
Final Day of Blast Off!
May 12, 2008
BLAST OFF Day 4!
The end of Blast Off marked the end of a weekend of training, growth and new found friendship! It was fantastic meeting new teammates and reconnecting with old ones. The Constitutional Officers and Region Presidents from across the state are phenomenal individuals who I am so excited for you to meet the upcoming year!
Derek isn’t the greatest at shaving but can be counted on to lead our team and state to a successful year. I’m looking forward to many shopping trips with him this year. Katie is always there to keep the group on task and share her words of wisdom to better and further the ideas of the group. Caitlin is the epitome of organization who conducts business in an orderly, timely fashion. She also has the coolest hair EVER!! Justin is one of the truest gentlemen I have ever encountered in my entire life who truly has a passion for agriculture. Peter; what can I say about this man? Pete is a true leader who has the ability to come up with great ideas and also mellow tension in the group with humor. He can always be counted on for a good laugh!
Jake is such a talented individual who is a kick swing dancer, can sing and play the guitar, and also has one heck of an Elmo impression. Cindy is a hardworking, sweetheart who I have already seen make a positive change in her Region. Shari is the shortest on the team but has the biggest personality and has seen the most growth! Trevor is amazing at giving speeches and presentations and is from the coolest chapter ever!! Rachael seems innocent, but let me tell you, she’s got a “Wicked” side too!! I can’t wait to attend musicals with her in the cities this upcoming year at college. Kaylee is one of my greatest friends. (The red-headed bombshell is actually sitting next to me driving home right now. We haven’t died yet…that’s a good sign.) She is an extremely logical person who comes up with the answers to many problems. Cassie is hilarious and a great leader who will keep the amazing things in Region VII happening this upcoming year!! Finally, Mike is a great superhero lover who has the nicest car I’ve ever seen a senior in high school drive! (Hopefully he’ll let me drive it sometime.)
I had a blast getting to know every single one of my teammates this past weekend. I’m looking forward to getting to know them even better as the summer progresses into camps and more conferences.
I also volunteered today to be the teams “bucket filler.” Basically this means that I am in charge of keeping up the morals and positivity of the group! When times get tough and sleep is running low, it’s my job to make sure everyone stays positive and remembers the reason they desired to serve in the first place. This is going to be a difficult job and I am going to rely on all of them to remind me of the position I volunteered for! As State Officers we also received a book called How Full is Your Bucket? I think that this book will help in this upcoming duty.
I miss my teammates already. I won’t see them again until the 5th of June. It seems like forever away! But at that meeting we’ll be planning the State Greenhand Leadership Conference!! So, GET YOR APPLICATIONS IN!! I can’t wait to see all of you this summer!! Enjoy the last weeks of school!
BLAST OFF Day 4!
The end of Blast Off marked the end of a weekend of training, growth and new found friendship! It was fantastic meeting new teammates and reconnecting with old ones. The Constitutional Officers and Region Presidents from across the state are phenomenal individuals who I am so excited for you to meet the upcoming year!
Derek isn’t the greatest at shaving but can be counted on to lead our team and state to a successful year. I’m looking forward to many shopping trips with him this year. Katie is always there to keep the group on task and share her words of wisdom to better and further the ideas of the group. Caitlin is the epitome of organization who conducts business in an orderly, timely fashion. She also has the coolest hair EVER!! Justin is one of the truest gentlemen I have ever encountered in my entire life who truly has a passion for agriculture. Peter; what can I say about this man? Pete is a true leader who has the ability to come up with great ideas and also mellow tension in the group with humor. He can always be counted on for a good laugh!
Jake is such a talented individual who is a kick swing dancer, can sing and play the guitar, and also has one heck of an Elmo impression. Cindy is a hardworking, sweetheart who I have already seen make a positive change in her Region. Shari is the shortest on the team but has the biggest personality and has seen the most growth! Trevor is amazing at giving speeches and presentations and is from the coolest chapter ever!! Rachael seems innocent, but let me tell you, she’s got a “Wicked” side too!! I can’t wait to attend musicals with her in the cities this upcoming year at college. Kaylee is one of my greatest friends. (The red-headed bombshell is actually sitting next to me driving home right now. We haven’t died yet…that’s a good sign.) She is an extremely logical person who comes up with the answers to many problems. Cassie is hilarious and a great leader who will keep the amazing things in Region VII happening this upcoming year!! Finally, Mike is a great superhero lover who has the nicest car I’ve ever seen a senior in high school drive! (Hopefully he’ll let me drive it sometime.)
I had a blast getting to know every single one of my teammates this past weekend. I’m looking forward to getting to know them even better as the summer progresses into camps and more conferences.
I also volunteered today to be the teams “bucket filler.” Basically this means that I am in charge of keeping up the morals and positivity of the group! When times get tough and sleep is running low, it’s my job to make sure everyone stays positive and remembers the reason they desired to serve in the first place. This is going to be a difficult job and I am going to rely on all of them to remind me of the position I volunteered for! As State Officers we also received a book called How Full is Your Bucket? I think that this book will help in this upcoming duty.
I miss my teammates already. I won’t see them again until the 5th of June. It seems like forever away! But at that meeting we’ll be planning the State Greenhand Leadership Conference!! So, GET YOR APPLICATIONS IN!! I can’t wait to see all of you this summer!! Enjoy the last weeks of school!
Southland FFA Chapter Awards Night
May 3, 2008
Southland FFA Chapter Awards Night
East of Austin, Minnesota, is a small town called Adams where the Southland FFA Chapter resides. My dear friend, Pete Thome also calls this chapter home. Putting over 350 miles on my white Chevy truck was a great way start my year as a State FFA Officer! It was great to reunite with Mike Sheely, Southland FFA President, and Josh Lammers, Southland FFA Vice President, whom I had attended Greenhand Camp with. I also was reunited with Lucas Schaefer and Steve Lammers who had attended Greenhand Camp while I served as a Regional President.
Mr. Brown, the FFA Advisor, gave out many awards on the 3rd of May, 2008. Michael Sheely took home the Chapter Leadership Awards and Lucas Schaefer was awarded the Swine Production Award, which Pete Thome had been awarded three years running. A new officer team was installed with Steve Lammers elected as President for the 2008-2009 year.
After the awards program, cake and drinks were served to the members and community in attendance. Pete and I were able to help serve the milk and meet many FFA members and parents.
The best part of the evening was attending the Adams Chicken Fry which I learned was a hott spot in eastern Minnesota every other weekend. Hundreds of people from surroudning communities showed up to the Adams Legion for all you can eat chicken, fries, coleslaw and beans. It was a fun atmosphere where I definitely hope to make it back to again.
Southland FFA Chapter Awards Night
East of Austin, Minnesota, is a small town called Adams where the Southland FFA Chapter resides. My dear friend, Pete Thome also calls this chapter home. Putting over 350 miles on my white Chevy truck was a great way start my year as a State FFA Officer! It was great to reunite with Mike Sheely, Southland FFA President, and Josh Lammers, Southland FFA Vice President, whom I had attended Greenhand Camp with. I also was reunited with Lucas Schaefer and Steve Lammers who had attended Greenhand Camp while I served as a Regional President.
Mr. Brown, the FFA Advisor, gave out many awards on the 3rd of May, 2008. Michael Sheely took home the Chapter Leadership Awards and Lucas Schaefer was awarded the Swine Production Award, which Pete Thome had been awarded three years running. A new officer team was installed with Steve Lammers elected as President for the 2008-2009 year.
After the awards program, cake and drinks were served to the members and community in attendance. Pete and I were able to help serve the milk and meet many FFA members and parents.
The best part of the evening was attending the Adams Chicken Fry which I learned was a hott spot in eastern Minnesota every other weekend. Hundreds of people from surroudning communities showed up to the Adams Legion for all you can eat chicken, fries, coleslaw and beans. It was a fun atmosphere where I definitely hope to make it back to again.
State Officer Dinner
May 8th, 2008
State Officer/Parents Dinner
Eagan, MN
So, the first trip as a State Officer began today. Kaylee Williamson and I started out on our trek to BLAST OFF Training! As we took 90 to 35, we realized that we were exceptional city drivers, or at least interstate drivers. We went to visit Kaylee’s aunt in Lakeville and ended up getting a little lost on the way. However, after lying to her father who was giving poor directions, we finally found our destination.
State Officer Parent Dinner started at 6:30 at the Holiday Inn Express in Eagan. While at the dinner, it was great to meet everyone’s parents and I am excited to see those later in the year when we will hopefully do house visits. Ertl, Larsen and Addington went over the upcoming summer calendar and expectations of a State Officer. Seeing the Thome’s again was a fun opportunity! I think Mr. Thome might like me since he was giving me hugs! Maybe I’ll have to make another appearance at the chicken fry!
Kaylee and I decided to go and visit FarmHouse at their softball game. We only got lost a few times. It seems there are no signs to get on 94W from 35EN. But whatever! Kaylee and I are great manooverers. However, after they got 10 run ruled in under 20 minutes, we left to go back to the hotel and swim with the team. Jake Hein followed us from the Bierman Field and again, we got way lost! Pizza was definitely ordered after swimming and the team hung out and relaxed while preparing for the upcoming weekend of activities.
State Officer/Parents Dinner
Eagan, MN
So, the first trip as a State Officer began today. Kaylee Williamson and I started out on our trek to BLAST OFF Training! As we took 90 to 35, we realized that we were exceptional city drivers, or at least interstate drivers. We went to visit Kaylee’s aunt in Lakeville and ended up getting a little lost on the way. However, after lying to her father who was giving poor directions, we finally found our destination.
State Officer Parent Dinner started at 6:30 at the Holiday Inn Express in Eagan. While at the dinner, it was great to meet everyone’s parents and I am excited to see those later in the year when we will hopefully do house visits. Ertl, Larsen and Addington went over the upcoming summer calendar and expectations of a State Officer. Seeing the Thome’s again was a fun opportunity! I think Mr. Thome might like me since he was giving me hugs! Maybe I’ll have to make another appearance at the chicken fry!
Kaylee and I decided to go and visit FarmHouse at their softball game. We only got lost a few times. It seems there are no signs to get on 94W from 35EN. But whatever! Kaylee and I are great manooverers. However, after they got 10 run ruled in under 20 minutes, we left to go back to the hotel and swim with the team. Jake Hein followed us from the Bierman Field and again, we got way lost! Pizza was definitely ordered after swimming and the team hung out and relaxed while preparing for the upcoming weekend of activities.
Blast Off Day 2!
May 10, 2008
Blast OFF Day Two
WOW! What an awesome day it has been. I feel like this year I’m developing and gaining so much more from the events than I did last year. Mark and Marlene are incredible individuals who embrace each and everyone’s authenticity.
Today we worked on personal mission statements which really meant a lot to me. Now, after serving one year, I know how important it is to have that core of beliefs to fall back on during hard times.
Your destiny awaits.
Live to fulfill your dreams and desires.
Love with unwavering passion and dedication.
Develop the wisdom to be more than you think you are capable.
Remember who you are and who you were destined to become.
Another great thing I took more from this year was Angela, a National Officer’s Retiring Address. She challenged all FFA members to:
“Figure out what you are. Concentrate on doing that; and doing it well.”
She also brought up three questions that were the core of her retiring address.
1. What are your passions?
2. Am I proud of me?
3. Do my passions guide my actions everyday?
She spoke of an FFA member that she had met who had bought his first calf from his dad in 6th grade, had rented 90 acres from his father by 8th grade and by the time he was a senior had a $90,000 income through his SAE. However, even though he was set with a future career, he was going to attend college to make sure that he could become profitable following his passions and making his dreams of success a reality. Angela said, “that is FFA.”
After the sessions were over for the day, the team sat down and set goals for the upcoming year. The goals were to continue implementing service throughout chapters. The goal that I am most excited about achieving is using podcasts and youtube.com to connect the newsletter and authenticity of State Officers and chapter leaders to FFA members and foundation donors.
Truly I can tell this team is going to be awesome! I feel our team is free to be ourselves and grow as teammates, family and friends while serving the members of Minnesota this year!
Blast OFF Day Two
WOW! What an awesome day it has been. I feel like this year I’m developing and gaining so much more from the events than I did last year. Mark and Marlene are incredible individuals who embrace each and everyone’s authenticity.
Today we worked on personal mission statements which really meant a lot to me. Now, after serving one year, I know how important it is to have that core of beliefs to fall back on during hard times.
Your destiny awaits.
Live to fulfill your dreams and desires.
Love with unwavering passion and dedication.
Develop the wisdom to be more than you think you are capable.
Remember who you are and who you were destined to become.
Another great thing I took more from this year was Angela, a National Officer’s Retiring Address. She challenged all FFA members to:
“Figure out what you are. Concentrate on doing that; and doing it well.”
She also brought up three questions that were the core of her retiring address.
1. What are your passions?
2. Am I proud of me?
3. Do my passions guide my actions everyday?
She spoke of an FFA member that she had met who had bought his first calf from his dad in 6th grade, had rented 90 acres from his father by 8th grade and by the time he was a senior had a $90,000 income through his SAE. However, even though he was set with a future career, he was going to attend college to make sure that he could become profitable following his passions and making his dreams of success a reality. Angela said, “that is FFA.”
After the sessions were over for the day, the team sat down and set goals for the upcoming year. The goals were to continue implementing service throughout chapters. The goal that I am most excited about achieving is using podcasts and youtube.com to connect the newsletter and authenticity of State Officers and chapter leaders to FFA members and foundation donors.
Truly I can tell this team is going to be awesome! I feel our team is free to be ourselves and grow as teammates, family and friends while serving the members of Minnesota this year!
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