Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

FFA Alumni Meeting Set For Feb. 7th

The Prescott FFA Alumni will hold its second annual meeting on February 7 at 5:30 p.m., at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

There will be a meal of smoked beef, pork and chicken with all the trimmings provided. Following the meal, Dr. Ann Horne from Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia will be the guest speaker. A brief business session will conclude the meeting.

This meeting marks the beginning of the alumni's 1998 membership drive. Annual dues are $25.

Over the first year of association, the group has undertaken many activities and projects.

It worked with the agri students and advisor to help improve the school farm by setting up a corral and working chute; it is currently working to supply electricity and water to the school farm.

The alumni also helped expand the welding facilities in the shop at Prescott High School.

Last spring, the alumni joined with the Nevada County Fair Association in a fund-raiser. Acti-vities included a show of local talent and a silent auction.

The FFA students constructed picnic tables, quilt racks, bird houses and other wood working projects, which were sold at the fund-raiser.

In conjunction with this fund-raiser, the alumni hosted a livestock fitting and grooming seminar, which featured Shane Plyer, a professional livestock groomer.

The alumni worked during the year to help students interested in showing livestock at livestock shows. Alumni members helped these students obtain livestock to show, and worked to improve the facilities at the fairgrounds.

The alumni also established two prestigious awards to be presented each year to two outstanding agri students. Jimmy Stockton received a $500 scholarship. The group also awarded a belt buckle to Ricky Hamrick for being chapter's top hand.

The FFA Alumni began holding rodeo events as a method of raising money.

The first events were held during the county fair, where a Bull Bash and a Lil' Britches Rodeo were held.

Many members and FFA students spent long hours improving the arena at the fairgrounds. Bucking chutes, holding pens and bleachers, and they are currently working on the perimeter fence. A roping chute has been purchased and will be placed in the arena.

The FFA Alumni women and agri students sold and painted several business advertising signs, which will hang around the arena during rodeo events.

The group is currently setting up of a greenhouse that was donated by an alumni member. The agri students have taken down the greenhouse frame and moved it to the school.

Everyone is invited to attend the February 7 meeting. Bring your family and a prospective member and enjoy the fellowship.

If you wish to join you may sign up at the meeting or contact Jeff Milam at 887- 2473.