By: Carmen Lendt, FFA Reporter
Officer of the Month
Maddi Helget is in 11th grade and has been in FFA for five years. This year she is Secretary for the FFA Officer Team. She originally joined FFA to learn more about agriculture and farming, but now she is in it to engage with everyone and try to get more people to join as well as meeting new people and having cool experiences. She likes being Secretary because she can keep track of activities and meeting attendance. Maddi is on the Soils CDE Team and she likes learning about different textures and depths of the soil as well as different erosions. Her favorite part of FFA is going to State and National Conventions. She is most looking forward to learning more on the Soils CDE team and going to state. By being in an Ag class, Maddi has learned that FFA is not just farming, it’s about how farming affects our economy and where almost all of our food comes from and how much farming impacts us. She has won 1st at Regions for Poultry, 1st at the U of M Invitational for Poultry, 1st and 2nd place at State for Poultry, and 7th at Regions for Soils.
Member of the Month
Nathan Rathman is in 9th grade and has been in FFA for three years. He joined FFA because he likes agriculture and wanted to try new things. He is on the Soils CDE team and he likes this team because they get to learn about different types of soil and learn how to judge them. For his SAE project, he works in his fields and around his farm including chopping stalks. His favorite FFA activity is the fun nights. Nathan is really looking forward to taking a welding class in the future. By being in FFA he has learned how to judge soils. Nathan is very proud of his awards for selling a lot of fruit.
Member of the Month
Abby Ring is in 12th grade and has been in FFA for five years. She joined because she really wanted to learn more about FFA. Her favorite activity in FFA is the fruit sales and she really enjoys making crop samples for the Crop Show and fairs. Abby is really looking forward to a great year and meeting new people. Something she has learned by being in FFA is how to help others out. Abby’s biggest awards in FFA are earning 2nd place for selling so many boxes of fruit last year and 1st place this year.
Member of the Month
Jade Sellner is in 10th grade and this is her fourth year in FFA. She joined FFA because agriculture has always been interesting to her and a big part of her life so she was glad to join. She likes being on the Ag. Sales CDE team because of the communication skills she gains and because it takes her out of her comfort zone. Her SAE this year was helping harvest and sell pumpkins from her family’s pumpkin patch. Her favorite FFA activities are the barn dance and lock in. Jade is really looking forward to trying different activities and the theme meetings. She has gained leadership skills, as well as things about agriculture that she didn’t know before. She appreciates the skills she has gained from her Agricultural classes that will use in jobs she may have in the future. Jade has won many Crop Show Ribbons and Awards, and has been a Top Seller in the FFA Fruit Sales Fundraiser.
Eighteen Members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter were selected to receive their very own FFA jackets from the Blue Jackets Bright Futures Programs. Pictured l to r, top row – Victoria Poplow, Presley Dockter, Noah Rossbach, Jake Price, Samantha Ulrich. Middle row – Delores Wold, Dallas Brazle, Alex Confer, Holly Sellner, Jaelynn Schauman. Bottom row – Jasmine Petermann, Alexys Odegard, Antonio Ruiz, Hana Zeig, and Bryson Dolly. Not pictured: Brandon Flores, Carter Swenstad, Sophie Kyllonen.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation is pleased to announce the presentation of the official FFA jacket to members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter. 18 members have been selected to receive their own jacket!
As Minnesota FFA welcomes thousands of young people into membership, the Minnesota FFA Foundation has announced the recipients of the Blue Jacket Bright Futures program. The program provides sponsored FFA jackets to Minnesota youth who are starting their FFA career. This is the eighth year the Minnesota FFA Foundation has offered the program. “The Blue Jackets Bright Future program is a valuable program providing students with an FFA jacket to support their FFA involvement. A personalized FFA jacket provides recipients with a sense of pride while giving them ownership of their FFA experiences, said Lavyne Rada, Minnesota FFA Association Leadership Development Coordinator. “FFA plays an important role in developing agricultural and leadership skills in students while preparing them for their future careers.”
“The jacket is a symbol of tradition and pride for those who have worn the official FFA jacket. Many past members have sponsored jackets, but it’s not uncommon for individuals and companies to sponsor jackets because they appreciate what the organization does to develop young leaders,” says Val Aarsvold, Minnesota FFA Foundation Executive Director.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation wishes to thank the sponsors of the Blue Jackets Bright Futures program this year. The sponsors of this program are what make it possible for our FFA students to have a successful experience with FFA! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of a student.
For more information about the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s Blue Jacket Bright Futures program, contact Program Coordinator, Amanda Sommers, at 507-461-2214 or visit our website at www.mnffafoundation.org .
The Minnesota FFA Foundation partners with individuals and businesses to provide resources that promote and enhance premier leadership, personal growth and career success for Minnesota youth in Agricultural Education.
FFA Members, Advisors, and Friends get ready for the People Parade for the nursing homes. Participants included: Alex Confer, Abi Hornsby, Winsten Nienhaus, Nayzeth Luna, Leisha Martinez, Brooke Arneson, Priscilla Martinez, McKenna Dockter, Isaac, Charlie, William, Grace & Carmen Lendt, and Morgan Hoffmann.
We stopped for a quick chat with one of the residents at Countryside during our FFA People Parade! We lifted the resident’s spirit as she lifted ours!
On Monday, December 21, 2020, Sleepy Eye FFA members, friends, and advisors, did a people Parade at the Sleepy Eye Care Center, Countryside, Divine, and Lake Villa. Mrs. Hoffmann was trying to find a way to spread holiday cheer because the Bingo activities the FFA chapter typically does were unable to be held this year.
Since the FFA members have been painting windows at the Care Center and Countryside, and sometimes residents watch through the windows, having members walk around the outside of the facilities seemed to be the only way to have an event this Christmas. Mrs. Manderfeld made the signs while Mrs. Hoffmann handed out decorations for the students to wear including: light up necklaces and headbands, garland, and Santa hats.
After taking a group photo, the parade began. As we walked around all sides of the Care Center playing and singing Christmas music, we found one room with birthday balloons. The group stopped to sing a loud happy birthday song to the resident through the window before moving on their way! Tears of joy ran down her cheek at the sight and sounds of the FFA members.
Later, members stopped a couple of times as residents of Countryside cracked their doors open to chat with the students outside. They expressed their thanks for the kids coming out in the cold to spread holiday cheer. One resident even said how much she loved us!
Then across town we went to Divine and Lake Villa. The highlight of this part of the parade was ladies blowing kisses to us as we waved through the windows! It was a really chilly night, but the residents at all of the facilities warmed our hearts as they wove back, blew kisses, and said thank you for coming!
Thank you so much to activity directors/staff at the facilities for working with the FFA to coordinate the timing of the event- Shelly Rae Zinniel, Nancy Windschitl, and Denise Lienig. FFA members also made cards that were dropped off for the residents along with wrapped ornaments.
The FFA People Parade was a great way to spread holiday cheer to all nursing home and assisted living residents in the year of 2020!
By: Katelyn Capacia, Reporter
Member of the Month
Caleb Suess is an eighth grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for 2 years. He joined FFA because he wanted to be more involved. Caleb is on the Soils CDE team and likes it because you get to learn more about real world things. His SAE is working on Suess Dairy Farm helping with fieldwork, feeding calves, and milking cows. Caleb’s favorite FFA activity is the fun nights. Something he is looking forward to is going to new places. By being in FFA and Ag. Class, he learned more about animals that he wasn’t familiar with. Caleb is most proud of his Discovery Degree Award.
Member of the Month
Jacob Schultz is an eleventh grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for 5 years. He joined FFA because he wanted to learn more about FFA, do crops, and participate in CDE’s. Jacob is on the Fish and Wildlife CDE team and likes it because he gets to use it in the real world. His SAE is milking cows every night at Suess Dairy. His favorite FFA activity is doing crops for the Sleepy Eye Crop Show and County and State Fair. Something he is looking forward to is competing in the Fish and Wildlife CDE contest this year. By being in FFA and Ag. Class, he learned more about the history of FFA. Jacob is most proud of being the Crop Show Champion twice.
Member of the Month
Jasmine Petermann is a seventh grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for 1 year. She joined FFA because her dad was in FFA and she hopes that one day she can help her dad farm. Her favorite FFA activity is the Crop Show. Something she is looking forward to is trying out a new CDE team. By being in an Ag class, she learned more about the different kinds of animals. Jasmine is most proud of being the Jr. High Champion of the 2020 Crop Show and earning her very own FFA Jacket through the Blue Jackets Bright Futures Program.
Officer of the Month
Adam Johnson is a tenth grader at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been in FFA for 4 years. He joined FFA because he thought it would be a fun activity to do. Adam is the Chapter Treasurer and he likes it because he likes being involved in the chapter’s plans and finances. He is on the Poultry CDE team and likes it because he enjoys learning about chickens and he also likes that it relates to his SAE. His SAE is raising chickens in “chicken tractors” and selling them. His favorite FFA activity is the Crop Show. Something he is looking forward to is the State Poultry Competition. By being in FFA, he learned that anybody can be in FFA and in an Ag. class even if they don’t live on a farm. Adam is most proud of being 1st place Individual in Region VI CDE competition for Poultry and Reserve Champion in the 2020 Crop Show.
The St. Mary’s Elementary School was excited to welcome Minnesota author Kevin Lovegreen. Mr. Lovegreen spoke to the kindergarteners – fifth graders about his successful career writing about fishing and hunting, his love of nature and his experiences as an author. The Knights of Columbus sponsored the virtual visit. Pictured is first grader Maya Murphy during the interactive question and answer portion of the visit.
St. Mary’s High School honored Julia Helget and Jacob Stevens as their 2020-2021 ExCEL winners. Both are juniors and now compete at the state level.
ExCEL – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show Leadership qualities, and who volunteer in their communities. Every member school of the League is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award. Nominees must:
a. be a junior in high school
b. make satisfactory progress toward graduation requirements
c. participate in a MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity
d. hold a leadership position(s) in their school
e. work voluntarily in their community.
Sleepy Eye FFA Members tied 16 blankets that they donated in the community. Pictured is Nayzeth Luna, one of 15 members who helped with this project.
These FFA members and officers helped to pack the Holiday Boxes for the Trinity Backpack Program for families in need at Mark Thomas Company. It is a joyful experience to do something for others! A total of 10 members along with advisors, Mr. & Mrs. Manderfeld, helped with the packing. Pictured l to r – Brennen Meyer, Leisha Martinez, Maddi Helget, McKenna Dockter, Gracie Sellner, Miah Brown, Priscilla Martinez, Carmen Lendt, and Morgan Hoffmann.
Leisha Martinez, Chapter Historian helped with the packing of the Holiday Boxes that are coming soon to the families
Some know this line – Living to Serve – as the last in the FFA Motto. For Sleepy Eye FFA members, service may be one of the first words they think of when they think of what FFA is all about. This summer, the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter applied for a National FFA Year Long Living to Serve Grant for $3000 in order to help with the Trinity Backpack program which includes Food Bags each week and Holiday Gift Boxes. With the generosity of the National FFA, CoBank, Tractor Supply Company, CSX, Chevrolet, and Cargill, the Living to Serve Grant became a reality for the Sleepy Eye FFA.
The Backpack program is where students at risk for hunger receive bags of food for the weekend with a family meal – main dishes, fruit, vegetables, and a snack. The FFA grant money is being used to help with several extensions of the Backpack Food Program including: Birthday Boxes for each elementary participant, Fruit and Snacks in each Food Bag, Personal Care Item Pantry for Grades 5-8, Personal Care Items for the Holiday Boxes, and Food Pantry for Grades 7-8.
The Holiday Boxes include 8 meals and some extra snacks and goodies for the long holiday break as well as a gift certificate for meat and produce at the local grocery store.
10 of our members were also able to pack the meals for the Holiday Boxes that will go to the 55 children’s families in need. Advisor, Mrs. Hoffmann, and Morgan Hoffmann, the Chapter President, shopped for the personal care items that went into the holiday boxes for the families. These items included: toothbrushes, toothpaste, kids shampoo, and kids body wash. New this year, we added a special family and child gift.
The FFA is thrilled to be a part of this amazing project that the Trinity church conducts, along with numerous community partners, providing food to students all school year long. This year the Sleepy Eye Hospital and clinic collected food for 8 of the boxes! The money for the rest of the food boxes came from donations from Trinity members.
The FFA Chapter also purchased fleece to make tie blankets for kids and community members in need this holiday season. The blankets were donated to the ambulance, hospital, and students at our school. Members participated in tying the blankets.
Happy Holiday cards have been made by the members and will be given to all residents at the local nursing homes and Countryside along with ornaments the FFA chapter purchased. We are also planning to do a “People Parade” outside these locations before the Christmas holiday.
Members also wrote a special note to Veterans and sent cards to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis as another way to serve this year.
Receiving the Living to Serve grant and helping with these projects were a great way for our members to contribute to the community and build relationships while doing so! One of the FFA members favorite things to do is participate in service projects. We are always trying to find ways to help out in the community and spread a little holiday cheer!
Sleepy Eye High School honored Morgan Hoffmann and Mason Sellner as their 2020-2021 ExCEL winners. Both are juniors and now compete at the state level.
ExCEL – Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership – is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show Leadership qualities, and who volunteer in their communities.Every member school of the League is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award. Nominees must:
a. be a junior in high school
b. make satisfactory progress toward graduation requirements
c. participate in a MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activity
d. hold a leadership position(s) in their school
e. work voluntarily in their community
