Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

FFA is more than critters and crops

As everyone has learned over the years, Future Farmers of America (FFA), isn't just about growing animals and vegetables.

The FFA teaches many other things such as, leadership, business skills, speaking skills and everyday common knowledge.

However, some participants do have animals they raise and show each year at the area fairs. This teaches participants responsibility and showmanship. As we all know the fairs are over and Gurdon did a good job this year.

Another big event for the FFA is the trip the officers get to take every other year to Louisville, Ken. for the FFA National Convention.

This was the year for Gurdon to attend. It is an educational trip in which the officers enjoy. During the week in Louisville the officers attend several assemblies where thousands of other FFA Chapters from all over the United States join together to hear inspirational speeches and learn how to better their chapter.

Recently the FFA's meat truck visited Gurdon. This truck comes periodically. The money made benefits the chapter. The last sale held earned $140 although the weather was cold and rainy and there wasn't any advertising of the sale due to a surprise visit of the truck.

FFA instructor, Stacey Stone, said there will be another sale in the near future and he will have it well advertised.

With a new year underway the FFA is working with its different teams and preparing for competitions.

This year holds a full schedule for the FFA with its first competition being February 23 in Fayetteville. This competition will be for all teams.

This year's teams and participants are Land Judging; Luke Leamons, Michael Testa, Jonathon Gonzales, Wes Boyce, Ben Williams and Taylor Morehead.

Forestry Team; Justin Mallett, Justin McCarter, J.J. Plyler, Josh "Fish" Frisby, Brandon Finley, Jesse Eckert, Patrick Haynie and Kelvin McPeak.

Dairy Cattle; Patricia Hammonds, Brent Overbey, C.J. Stroder, Dustin Self, Carlena Lunsford and Calvin Nolan.

Agricultural Mechanics; Brent Overbey, Patrick Haynie, Jesse Eckert, J.R. Gober, Carlena Lunsford and Josh Uchtman.

Each of these teams practices at school and after school. Many times they will have two after school practices a week.

Competitions start in February and run through April when they attend District competitions in Magnolia, and if they qualify there they will go to Fayetteville for State competitions on April 18 and 19.