Calling all FFA Members in Regions VII and VIII! - 2010 Educational Tours

MADDIE AND FRIENDS.

WOW! What a jammed pack week! To kick it off, Maria Wingert and I visted Lyle, LeRoy-Ostrander, and Southland. These chapters were excited for us to come and curious as to who was walking through their halls. Lyle has a membership of seven people, but they do an outstanding amount of community service that makes my jaw drop! Maria and I were able to visit with the LeRoy-Ostrander Chapter Officer Team and discuss different ways to promote membership especially within their eleventh grade class. Southland students were full of energy and willing to do ANYTHING! They mastered the minefield game in record times!

Day two, Katie McNab and I ventured toward Glenville-Emmons where they made an amazing breakfast for us! We were able to speak to two different classes and see their officer team. Next we made our way to Albert Lea and spent some time there. This school was full of energy and had so many unique things about it...I don't even know where to begin! Katie and I visited with the Meats Team, went to lunch with a chapter officer, and spoke with three classes. These students were so willing to participate and mastered the minefield as a team. Katie and I were exhausted after departing for home, but we could not have asked for a better way to wrap up our day!

To finish off Fall Leadership Visit week, Katie and I visited Blue Earth bright and early. We immediately got to see a large percentage of their members and discuss the importance of service and play the "clothespin" game to compliment our points. After visiting Blue Earth, Katie, Mr. Larsen and I made our way to Madelia. Here we had a short period of time, but we were able to talk with these members about discovering their SAEs. I would not be surprised to have some winning applications from this school or a couple state degree recipients! To finish off the day Katie and I visited Truman. Truman is an up and coming chapter with loads of potential. The students were so willing to work together as a team and accomplish all the challenges we threw at them.
Overall, Region 7 and 8 is a glowing area of FFA chapters. I cannot wait to see you all again at State Convention or SOONER! :-)

JUSTIN AND COMRADES.

On Monday I presented with Mr. Kevin Welter. We visited three schools: Caledonia, Spring Grove, and Mabel Canton. Most of the day consisted of speaking to younger members about opportunities within FFA. It was enjoyable to speak with Mr. Ertl, our Executive Secretary for MN FFA, between visits while he chauffeured us around for the day. We had a gathering in Spring Valley that night for students and adults. I had fun getting to know some of the Spring Valley Chapter Officers and spending time with some of the Region VIII Officers.

After spending the night at Katie Winslow's wonderful household, we departed early for Day 2. Three more chapters were lined up on Tuesday for Katie and I: Stewartville, Grand Meadow, and Hayfield. We started off the day by talking to administration and the Chapter Officer Team of Stewartville (cool people!). At the final two schools, we presented to 7th and 8th graders, which was a ton of fun!

I spent that night at Katie McNab's after having delicious pizza at Heather Franke's house. Ms. McNab and I started Wednesday off at Maple River with a couple presentations and a ton of activities. Then at NRHEG High School, we had a discussion with the Chapter Officers (more cool people!) before having some fun with a few 7th and 8th graders. We finished the day at Alden-Conger with most of the FFA chapter. After a good nap at the McNab's and supper, thanks to Katie's parents, I headed to Olivia Kendall's for the night.

On the last day of chapter visits we visited Nicollet and New Ulm. At Nicollet, we met with administration and had an awesome tour of the school after working with the Mr. Stone's Freshman class. In New Ulm, the eighth grade class was awesome! That night was capped off with festivities put on by Region VII Officers at South Central College with teachers, students, and parents in attendance.

JASON AND AMIGOS.

Monday morning, I met up with Shawna Conrad and we headed west to Pine Island. We had the chance to present to two classes about different opportunities in FFA and what our organization stands for. I also had a chance to discuss some of the National Delegate issues with theIR advisor, Ms. Burce. After grabbing lunch at Subway, Zumbrota Mazzepa was next on our list. We were greeted by familiar faces who attended different camps and conferences and talked about higher level activities members should try to be involved in. The final visit for the day was at Kenyon Wanamingo - a chapter that was very flexible when it came to fitting us into their schedule! We drove back to Plainview in the evening for an FFA Powwow at PEM High School with advisors, members, family, and friends. We focused on the "FFA Brand" and also played some awesome games! It was enjoyable to get to know the Plainview FFA Officers and others who were present.

On Tuesday, I met up with Jared Luhman and we visited Randolph, Cannon Falls, and Farmington. It was an eye opener at Randolph to sit down and talk with the members about all their chapter does. At Cannon Falls, we had the chance to visit with the Officer Team over lunch. At Farmington, we presented to two classes and built a "circle of trust". As the day drew to a close, I moved west into Region VII.

Wednesday, I met up with Peter Hansen. In Waseca, we were bombarded by super heroes, as it was dress-up-days for Homecoming Week. The support Waseca FFA receives from the community is amazing! Julie Tesch took us out for lunch and then we toured the University of MN Research Facility in Waseca before heading to W-E-M. This group of members and officers impressed us by, first, being in official dress and, second, their ambition to start new activities. We wish all the chapters luck in their pursuits this year. That finished up my chapter visits for the week as I had to head back to college. The topper to the week was traveling back down to Mankato for a community wide FFA presentation with the State and Region FFA Officers. What a week!

ERIN AND ROCKSTARS.

Monday morning started off with a brand new experience, as Region VIII Assistant Officer Heather Franke and I went on a field trip to a meat processing facility with the Kasson-Mantorville large animal science class. I definitely had a full learning experience, as we ate meat pizza immediately following! We had a great discussion about the cool experiences K-M members were having. We moved on to Triton in the afternoon, where we had to opportunity to play some games with 7th and 8th graders. We also talked about what they could do in FFA and why it is important to them. The night ended in Chatfield, meeting with community members and FFA members to talk about agriculture literacy.

Region VII brought many great memories (including many homecoming dress-up days), starting in Medford on Tuesday with Region VII President, Kelsey Mussman. After talking to a Foods Class, we had fun with about 45 students from 7th-12th grade. The Owatonna Officer Team in the middle of the day made both of us laugh. A casual visit with Blooming Prairie members had a relaxed ending to the day.

Wednesday started out in full swing with Region VII Parliamentarian, Sam Mellgren. Watertown-Mayer in the morning had some familiar faces from camps. Chaska/Waconia was second, and very unique, as members travel to the Chaska Co-op for class. We ended in Norwood Young America, where we had some great conversations.

Thursday brought Region VII Sentinel Peter Hansen to Belle Plaine, where we visited with the Officer Team and presented to an energetic 9th grade class and a small engines class. Following that, we ventured to Sibley East. We ate with the Officer Team and learned about their school garden which ties into the Farm To School program. They hope to expand to 5-6 acres next year. The very last visit of the week was with the GFW Pioneer Express Officer Team. Plaques from successful corn drives lined their wall as they prepare for another year.

Thank you to every Region Officer, advisor and chapter we visited with! I truly enjoyed every moment spent on visits, and look forward to more!

LIZ AND PARTNERS-IN-CRIME.

Madame Awesome, Lauren Servick, and I began my adventures in the beautifully mountainous stretch of land known as Region VIII in the king of the hill, Winona! After making some sweet human tables with chapter leaders, we had a delicious lunch with the Chapter Officer Team (including the famous BLOEDOW'S DONUTS). We hopped in the van with Mr. Larsen and flew over to Plainview-Elgin-Millville to spend some quality time with their ROCKSTAR 8th grade FFA members; these new friends totally schooled me in FFA Trivia! I was privileged enough to spend the evening at PEM, as well, playing a little dodgeball and spending time with the majority of their chapter. After snagging some Dairy Queen with Jared Luhman, Mike Bedtke, Maria Wingert, Shawna Conrad, and Jason, I headed over to Chatfield to crash for the night.

On my second day of gallavanting through Region VIII, I was lucky enough to be accompanied by the one...the only...Jared Hanson! We had the outstanding opportunity to talk about FFA opportunities with members from the Goodhue and Lake City FFA Chapters that morning. After a scenic drive through Red Wing, we arrived at the high school around 1:30pm to hang out with an Animal Science Class and their Chapter Officer Team. This chapter does WAY too many cool things. A few examples? Jello Kickball, Aquaculture, Novice Parli Pro.

I journeyed to my homeland, Region VI, on Wednesday to spend some time with our newest Greenhands. What an eventful day full of laughs, catching up with old friends, and learning more about leadership!

Thursday was a day of adventures for Miss Ashley Enter and myself. We traveled with Mr. Ertl through Region VII, visiting LeCenter and Montgomery Lonsdale. Both chapters are strong parts of their community's histories and are continuing on with their own legacys - which I am SURE we will all hear about in the near future! The evening was spent in Mankato with the Region VII Officer Team and numerous community supporters. The Team did a great job and really represented our organization well.

If I could sum this week up in one word it would be this: LEGIT.
FFA members in Regions VII and VIII are building leaders, communities, and the agricultural industry in the Southeastern corner of Minnesota and for that I couldn't be more grateful. A big thank you to all who hosted the State Officers during our visits - we truly enjoyed our time with you!