MAIL CALL!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I really like getting mail
"the old fashioned way."
You know, via the United States Postal Service.

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When I was little, I would run into the Post Office with my dad, just hoping that there would be something in Box 330 with MY name on it. Highlights magazines came once a month, but my favorite time of the year was when my grandparents traveled to Arizona and would send me postcards from the road.

Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, all the way to Mesa...I knew their route by heart! Pictures of cornfields, Dorothy and Toto, snow covered mountains, and cacti covered our fridge. I loved the feeling that I was on vacation right along with them, even though I was at home enjoying the cold, Minnesota winter.

Here at college, when the sign on the front desk of Bailey Hall reads, "The Mail is Here!" I race to my mailbox and peer inside. I anxiously await the arrival of my copy of the Martin County Star, a church newsletter, or the occasional note from my mom.

But the best days are the ones when letters from Myrna show up in Box 105! Myrna, a lady about my grandma's age who attends my church back home, was my FAVORITE lunch lady in elementary school. The day she retired, I wrote her an impassioned letter, telling her the food at MCW would never taste good without her cooking it. I was one angry 2nd Grader! She wrote me a letter right back, explaining that she was sorry she had stopped working at school but that she needed more time at home with her family. She kept sending me letters, too. They'd show up when I got my picture in the paper for playing a solo in the 5th Grade band concert, when I made the 7th Grade Straight A Honor Roll, and when I was elected Chapter FFA President.

I figured the letters would stop once I got to college, but they didn't. The letters got newsier -- telling me about all the happenings in Trimont and with Myrna. She always ends her letters with, "Well, that's enough boring stories from a 70-something."

I tell you what, friends, I never get bored reading stories written by someone who took the time to think of me.

You like getting mail?
Send some of your own.
Become pen-pals with someone you met at WLC or SLCCL.
Write your Grandma just to say "Howdy!"
It feels just as good to stick a letter in the mailbox as it does to take one out.

Stationed by the plow,
LIZ

Giving: An inconvenience?!

Listen to this catchy tune while you read my blog (click on the blue words!).

I had just finished a long day, one could say I was on the "struggle bus." I had been frustrated by homework, by friends, and all I wanted to do was give up. I did not want to give up any more of my time for homework, for FFA, for my fraternity, or for that matter any other project I had going on. All I wanted to do was relax, maybe watch a movie or just hang out with some friends. I wanted to do what was convenient for me.

This is a type of situation I am sure all of us have encountered at least once before. Recently, I have become frustrated with so many problems and stressed about getting everything done, that I have forgot about giving of myself. I had lost track of those simple principles we learn as we are growing up- to think of others before yourself, to not take anything for granted, to be patient, etc.

Convenience has become such an emphasis in our lives, from ipads to fast food restaurants. We tend to have less patience and do what is suitable for our lifestyle. That night I was so frustrated, I couldn't sleep, my mind was buzzing with thoughts! What was so bad that day that I am this upset? Why am I being so selfish? How can I fix this?

I realized that it may not be the EASIEST or MOST convenient thing, but I needed to GIVE more of myself. Even if I did not feel like I had anything left to give, even though I had piles of homework and many projects to complete, even if it meant sacrificing my precious time, I have to take time to help others, to finish an important project, to do well in school....
...to fulfill my potential to make this world a better place, I have to GIVE of myself.

How do each and of everyone of us stop from falling into the convenience of selfishness?
What are you going to do today to GIVE of yourself?
Will you make the CHOICE to give even when it isn't the most convenient option?


Stationed by the door,
Justin Crowley

What's up Argentina? - ILSSO 2011

¡HOLA AMIGOS!

Where were 4 of the 6 State Officers for two weeks?

ARGENTINA.
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Here are the TOP 10 EXPERIENCES of ILSSO 2011!

1. "Beef" it's what's for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. We ate a TON of steak. FYI, people in Argentina know how cook steak deliciously.




2. "¿Dondé está el baño?" One of the coolest parts of this trip was learning (or using some lost and forgotten) Spanish!


3. 70 student leaders traveling together = EPIC. 18 of them were even from our NLCSO group - Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa were all represented! Also traveling from Minnesota were Derek Mulhern, Kirby Schmidt, and Leah Addington.


4. Modern farming practices are SUPER similar to those we use here in the US. Alejandro, a farmer we had the chance to meet, owns 3 combines and uses them in his family's operation of over 20,000 acres of land. He even custom farms for some of his neighbors with these New Hollands!



5. Bunge, an amazing sponsor of ILSSO, let us tour their Terminal 6 facility. This soybean crushing plant has the capacity to process 20,000 metric tons each day. Another way to put this in perspective is that the average farmer waits in line to dump their truckload for 6-12 hours!


6. A trip to the United States Embassy in Argentina gave us the opportunity to meet with 2 young Argentine leaders who are very interested in the future of agriculture in their country. They have started their own youth agricultural organization, with hopes to grow in the near future.

7. "¿Cuanto cuesta?" After brushing up on the language, some of us used our mad skillz to purchase some sweet souvenirs - Justin even had to purchase a white shirt to wear with his OD (since he forgot his at home...)!


8. Tango dancing is native to Argentina! We had the chance to watch an amazing Tango show in the city of Buenos Aires.





9. Gauchos, Argentine cowboys, lived on the land and herded cattle as a way of life. Modern gauchos are still a presence in the country, but now play a more active role in livestock markets.





10. IGUAZU FALLS NATIONAL PARK. Home to the largest set of waterfalls in the world, this part of our trip was absolutely stellar. We even had the chance to take a boat ride under the falls - better than ANY theme park ride that you could imagine!




The National FFA Organization gives students like us the chance to explore the world through trips such as the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. Make sure you check out www.ffa.org/global to see what opportunities are available to you to move beyond the borders!

¡Adios, amigos!
Erin
Jason
Justin
LIZ

Viva Argentina!

HOLA

COMO ESTAS?

MUY BIEN, A DONDE ESTA?

ESTOY EN ARGENTINA PARA ILSSO 2011!

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Well, after a full day of training, Erin and I have a pretty solid grasp on this phrase. "Hello, how are you? Very good, where are you? I am in Argentina for ILSSO 2011!" We're both very excited to be taking part in this trip along with teammates Jason and Justin, as well as past State Presidents Kirby Schmidt and Derek Mulhern. This is just one of many opportunities that FFA offers to travel abroad for personal growth experiences.

And from what we have heard, this is DEFINITELY going to be an experience!

We'll spend 9 packed days traveling the country of Argentina! From Buenos Aires to Rosaria to Puerto Iguazo, we'll see agriculture from a totally new perspective. As we are not sure if we will have internet access from all of our hotels to access our own blog, we wanted to share with you a link to the blog that the National FFA Organization will be hosting for ILSSO 2011.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT WE ARE UP TO EACH DAY!

http://www.nationalffa.blogspot.com

If not, keep checking back on this blog and we'll hopefully get the chance to post something during the next few days.

Hopefully you'll be able to have your own INTERNATIONAL experience. Check out the National FFA Website to find out about more cool opportunities, such as ILSSO, that you could take part in someday.

Enjoy the Minnesota weather for us! :)

Hasta luego! (Until later!)

Stationed by the Plow and the Ear of Corn,

LIZ and ERIN

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