Growing Futures

A couple days ago I was in Hutchinson observing their parliamentary procedure team and helped teach them a few things that Winnie (my ag teacher) taught me back in the day. Afterward I was talking to the Lemke sisters and Chelsea Vilchis. They spoke of their plans for their future, both in FFA and in life. On my way home I was reflecting on the day and realized that I have witnessed so many members' growing futures. Nearly a month ago hundreds of students came to participate in CDEs at U of M invitational. A couple weeks before that was the invitational at the U of M- Crookston, where yet another large group of FFA members gathered. Each of these members acquired valuable skills and knowledge for the competition. They gave their time and efforts to grow their potential future careers (and of course to win the competition!).

During this wintery month, I also went sledding with the Sauk Rapids-Rice FFA Chapter. Man that was fun, especially discovering Ms. Seibert's nickname Sa-bert and scaring her with some high speed sled rides! But in the process I noticed something. They were all giving of their time and care to grow and build personal relationships for the future. It was exciting to see a group of young adults hanging out and having fun! Plus we watched the Goonies, what can beat that??

And finally this week I came home to my chapter's holiday party. In order to attend, each individual must be an active member. That means each of the members had given to their chapter to grow its future! There are so many stories just like these across the state. Simply listening to Chelsea and the Lemkes talk just opened my eyes to all the remarkable events and occasions I have witnessed.


(someone likes bowling a little too much)


We all have different opportunities to grow a future whether it is for us individually, an organization, or a friend by giving of ourselves.

FFA members, what kind of future will you grow?

Stationed by the door,
Justin Crowley

Winter Wonderland!

Despite mother nature's addition of lots of snow to our environment, FFA members still find ways to get together and have a great time. On Saturday December 18th the Annual Region I Fun Day was held at Detroit Lakes. The Regional officers facilitated the day.

After meeting, greeting and opening ceremonies the members broke out into workshops. Harley Alby and Krista Kappes led a workshop on how to handle yourself in interviews. They acted out poor interview habits and the member quickly pointed them out and then practiced proper handshakes. Greg Malikowski and Andrew Jossund presented on the basics of SAEs and their own experiences with them both in placement and entrepreneurship and placement. Bayleigh Antonsen and Travis Ellefson shared some information about all the different CDEs both team and individual events the FFA has to offer and answered questions about them. Lastly Raina Pederson and Marissa Lehrer highlighted the different leadership camps and conferences on the local, state, and national level available to members.

In addition to these workshops we play a few teambuilding activites including "Who's the Leader?", the human knot, and the human table. Pizza arrived and everyone sang and acted out "Singing in the Rain" in order to be served. After lunch swimming, basketball, dodgeball and just "hanging out" followed for the rest of the afternoon!

Human Table and Making Friends!

It was great to meet and spend time with the members from all over Region I including Detriot Lakes, Hawley, Thief River Falls, and Ulen-Hitterdal. Thanks for the day and keep making friends and enjoying the FFA!

Stationed by the Rising Sun,

Jason Troendle

U of M Invite Crookston

Jason, Maddie and our Stillwater FFA friends :-)



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What an action packed day! First off, many FFA members had to wake at 2 or 3 am to make the journey to Crookston to compete in their CDE's. The contest began at 7:15 sharp!! Jason and Maddie spent the first part of the day enjoying the Horse Judging CDE and welcoming people into watch and catching up with fellow FFA members.
I will say this.......as I journed to Crookston on Thursday night, I went through three states (South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota). I slowly noticed the temperature dropping from 16 to -2. I am proud of these FFA members making the long journey and competing in the cold.

As the day went on, Jason and I dispersed ourselves and we met up with past camp goers, and new memebers. Due to the nasty storms approaching Crookston, many schools had to disperse the contest early, but a portion did stay for the awards ceremony.

Theif River Falls FFA

Jason and I had the privelage to hear, see and congratualte the top three individuals and teams of all contest held that day. We are looking forward to seeing you at State Convention in May :-)

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL of you! You did an outstanding job. Remember if you have an event coming up and you would like us to attend, we are only a phone call or e-mail away :-) MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Minnesota FFA!

Stationed by the Emblem of Washington,
Maddie Collin

Let it SNOW!

Well, if you're like me today you are most likely

SNOWED IN.
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That...is the view out my back door this morning.

Let's just say, I haven't been the greatest person in the world to deal with over the last few hours! I've been moping around my house, wishing the wind would just STOP so I could go back to school. I've been sitting on my butt, watching TV, playing games on Facebook, and doing whatever I can to show EVERYONE in the house that I am absolutely miserable.


The last major snap I had granted me "THE LOOK" from my mother (don't pretend you haven't gotten that look before!), which inspired me to get up off the couch as fast as my little legs could take me and to take pictures of the snow to send to my friends who live in much warmer climates.

After adventuring around the house for a few minutes, something hit me.
"Nobody really cares
if you're miserable,
so you might as well be happy."
~ Author unknown

My attitude is entirely my choice.
So I can sit here, all day, being cranky
... OR ...
I could enjoy this extra time I have with my family.

Every year, my mom puts up our Department 56 Snow Village and spreads it around the house for the family to enjoy. Over the last hour, I have been going from room to room, imagining how much these imaginary, ceramic people would love the REAL snow. Their existence and presence in my house is entirely based on the weather outside -- the snow brings them out of a storage room in the basement.
In this imaginary world, it is always a White Christmas. So why not appreciate the real thing?

Think about it.

If I weren't at home today, I wouldn't have time to catch up on some homework that I've been avoiding all week ("Oh joy!" she says sarcastically). If I weren't in Trimont, I wouldn't have had time to clean the drain in my bathroom that has been clogged for about a year. If I weren't at home, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the Christmas Tree or the Snow Village. If I weren't stuck in the biggest blizzard since "The Halloween Blizzard of 1991", I wouldn't be able to take a few minutes and catch up with some awesome FFA members!

So we can look at this blizzard as a hindrance
... OR ...
we can see it as an opportunity.


Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Stationed by the plow,
LIZ

GIVE THANKS!

It was my 15th Birthday, my golden birthday to be more specific! :) My family and I were sitting around in the living room while I opened my presents. After I unwrapped the final package, my dad leaped off of the couch, and as he bounded up the stairs he shouted "Just wait! There is one more!" My mind started racing, what could it possibly be? From upstairs my father started calling to my mother, urgently. My mom quickly climbed the steps with a puzzled look on her face. All of a sudden, I heard their frantic whispering. My sisters and I waited, and finally, my parents came down the steps again. My dad looked unsure about what he was going to say to me. "Um...Kirsten..." My mom kinda chuckled from behind him. And she proceeded to tell me that they had bought me a Beta Fish earlier that day, but by the time my dad went upstairs to get it for me, it was dead. For my birthday I had gotten, believe it or not, a dead fish! I didn't know what to say. I mean, do you say thank you for a dead fish? Well, eventually I did thank them for the thought. And if I can be thankful for a dead fish, there are a lot of other things in my life that I should be thankful for too.

In the spirit of the holiday season, it's time to reflect on our lives and find what we are thankful for. As FFA members, there are a lot of things that we all can give thanks for together. An obvious person that comes to mind would be our ag advisors. That wonderful gentleman or lady that really inspires us to reach our true potential, and who has been the person that has given us so many truly incredible opportunities. Secondly we can thank are families. They are the support that always can keep us going. And while we are on a roll with our thanking, let's thank everyone else who has touched our lives in any way shape or form! It's the season of giving so let's GIVE THANKS!

Stationed by the flag,
Kirsten Pagel
Oh, and by the way, my parents did get me another goldfish! ;)