How does time always fly by?
In January members worked on updating record books, filling out proficiency applications and working on their State Degree applications. We had 3 seniors apply for their State Degrees: Allie Boehr, Andrew Franz, and Ben Janzen. Ben also applied for a State Star Production award. The interviews for the degrees and State Star happened at the beginning of February.
Though all sophomores, juniors, and seniors that are in an ag class were required to work on a proficiency application, not everyone completed the application. Completed applications were judged at the District level at the beginning of February. Results for the District Proficiency Award are as follows: gold state include Blake Goertzen for Swine Production Entrepreneurship, Allie Boehr for Hospitality, Restaurant, Tourism Management, Ben Janzen for Forage Production, and Thane Wetjen for Specialty Animal Production. Andrew Franz received gold for Diversified Crop Production. Receivers of silver include Zach Miller for Beef Production Placement, Braden Janzen for Diversified Ag Production Placement, Lane Farrall for Diversified Crop Production, Cash Parrish for Goat Production, and Katrinamarie Epp for Home and Occupational Safety. Receiving bronze for their proficiency award includes Weston Panko for Beef Production Placement and Grace Splinter for Home and Occupational Safety.
At the end of February, the Heartland FFA participated in a variety of National FFA Week activities that each class planned and prepared. They also competed in District CDE contests at Central Community College in Grand Island.
In March, we hosted our annual Barnyard for the Elementary students. It was a nice day. We invited the UNL Bee Lab, the York County Farm Bureau, and Central Valley Ag to set up some displays for students.
Weston made a friend!
Emma visited at just the right time to bottle feed some lambs!
Maddie Janzen enjoying her time in the sun.
Obligatory Goat picture with Allie and Emersyn!
CVA doing a chemical safety demonstration.
UNL Bee Lab talking about bees.
Thankful to have York County Farm Bureau members spend the day with us to help inform kids about where their food comes from!
We also held our first Shop Party. Thanks for the Heartland FFA Booster Club. This event couldn't have happened without the classes cleaning the shop, and the work that the Boosters did. We invited Farmer Derrick to be a guest speaker. All members were to provide something for a Silent Auction. It was a great night with a hamburger feed and ice cream! Though, we did have quite a bit of ice to end the night!
This year we did the Silent Auction in the Classroom
Ben is introducing Farmer Derrick!
After Easter, we went straight to State Convention. We had several members participate in Courtesy Corp. Zach Miller, Ben Janzen, Hayden Powers, and KatrinaMarie Epp participated in the Honor Choir. Several members participated in a Leadership Academy, while others participated in a community service project. Ben Janzen and Allie Boehr were selected as Proficiency Award Finalist, and Ben was selected as a top 24 finalist in the State Star Award area...top 4 for Star in Production. Ben won his Forage Production Proficiency and Allie received 3rd place for Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Emma Ott competed at State for Creed speaking and received a Silver medal. We had 3 CDE teams compete: Food Science, Agriscience, and Junior Livestock Judging. It was a great convention!
State Degrees in hand.
State Star in Ag Production Finalist
Junior Livestock Judging Team
Allie and Ben after finding their placings for Proficiency Awards
Early morning Food Science picture.
After State Convention comes officer interviews and our annual Banquet. We were so thankful for all that were able to attend the banquet. And we loved having it in the gym this year!!!
2023-2024 Members
Junior Class FFA members
2023-2024 Officers
Seniors!
Freshmen
Sophomores
Dessert table
President's Parents Address
2024-2025 Officer Team.
There were just a few things that needed to happen before the Seniors checked out forever! Freshmen Greenhands needed to add to our signature wall. And Seniors State Degree Recipients needed to add their Star to their Greenhand! Love this tradition!
Ben adding his star!
Maddie Janzen putting her hand on the wall.
David Hiebner getting ready to make his mark.
Emma was able to find a spot next to her brothers!
Miles Kliewer adding his hand to our wall!
