Grassland FFA celebrates 25th anniversary
BY DICK ANGLESTEIN
NEW HOLLAND - “I
remember we had our first
banquet in the high school
cafeteria.
“Things have sure changed since
then.”
With these words, Robert
Freeman, R 1 Denver, recalled the
organizational year of the
Grassland, FFA Chapter in the
Eastern Lancaster County School
District. Owner of a plumbing
business, Freeman served as
charter president of the chapter.
On Friday, March 9, Freeman
joined numerous other Grassland
FFA alumni, community leaders
from the local, county and state
levels, current members and
parents and a number of program
supporters in observing the 25th
anniversary of the Grassland FFA
Chapter.
In all, more than 450 attended the
silver anniversary banquet. The
large number was divided between
the New Holland and Blue Ball fire
halls for the banquet and then
convened in the high school
auditorium for the awards
program.
Red Rose Stars of Grassland FFA are, from the left,
David Fisher, Agribusiness; Margaret Herr and Nelson
Horning, Star Red Rose Farmers.
Scott Bailey is the Star Grassland Farmer.
It was a night of reminiscing for
the FFA graduates, recalling
moments from their ag shop days
or trips to Kansas City.
Before they have moved on to
varying careers in production
agriculture, agribusiness and
other lines of endeavor, the
quarter-century of Grassland
FFA’ers have achieved an en
viable record in their Blue and
Gold jackets. Some of these
achievements were cited at the
anniversary program.
In recognizing those attending
from each of the graduating
classes, it was pointed out that the
chapter has had one national of
ficer, 13 state officers, 27 county
officers, 12 recipients of the
American Degree and 138
Keystone Degree recipients.
And over the past quarter
century there have been many who
have received countless other
awards, including the coveted
“stars.” Honored this year as the
chapter’s stars were;
Brian Gingrich and Earl Sauder
- Star Greenhands.
Floyd Huber, Star Chapter
Farmer; and Darryl Weaver, Star
Trio of presidents at the 25th anniversary banquet of the Grassland FFA Chapter
include, from the left, Robert Freeman, R 1 Denver, charter president; Sam Hayes,
featured speaker and Minority Whip of the State House of Representatives who served
as president of the Warriors Mark FFA in 1957-58 in Huntingdon County; and Marlin
Mast, current Grassland president.
Chapter Agribusinessman.
David Fisher, Star Red Rose
Agribusinessman; Margaret Herr
and Nelson Horning, Star Red
Rose Farmers.
Scott Bailey - Star Grassland
Farmer.
In addition, 14 first-year chapter
members received their
Greenhand Degrees, 17 received
Chapter Degrees, 14 were honored
with their Red Rose Degrees and
six with their Keystone Degree,
including Scott Bailey, Gerald
Baker, King, Kevin Martin,
Ernest Mast and Michael Weaver.
Among the tributes paid the
chapter was the following letter
sent by Sec. of Agriculture John
Block:
“Congratulations on 25 years of
service to the agricultural com
munity of the Eastern Lancaster
County School District. As a for
mer FFA member, the father of an
FFA member and the member of
an agricultural community, I know
fully the tremendous contributions
of the FFA to the individual, the
parents and the community.
“I wish the very best to you and
the others gathered to celebrate
the anniversary of the Grassland
FFA Chapter. Although I cannot be
there with you tonight, I am with
you in the spirit of the Future
Farmers of America believing
strongly in the future of farming
with a faith borne not out of words
but of deeds.
“Best wishes for continued
success.”
In her address to her home
chapter members, Carolyn Wit
mer, State FFA president,
reminded the Grasslanders of
three important words - faith,
hope and love - that will be vital
throughout their lives.
Featured speaker for the
evening was Sam Hayes, Minority
Whip of the Pa. House of
Representatives. Former
president of the Warriors Mark
FFA in Huntingdon County, Hayes
received his Honorary American
Degree a couple of years ago.
“America is economically and
morally underpinned by
agriculture,” he said.
“The true test of civilization, as
Emerson has said, is not the size of
its cities or crops but the kind of
men and women it turns out.
“Tonight we’ve seen many who
have gone out from this FFA
Chapter to places of leadership in
agriculture and in their com
munities.
“This chapter is one of the great
ag organizations in the state.
“But yesterday’s successes do
not preserve the future of this
chapter, county, state or nation.
“It’s not just the cows and alfalfa
left and Earl Sauder.
Star Chapter Agribusinessman of Grassland FFA is
Darryl Weaver, left, and Star Chapter Farmer is Floyd Huber,
and such that are good measures of faithful to agriculture -it truly
what can be produced. It’s the men underpins our society,
and women that make the dif- “Be faithful to the FFA Motto,
ference. “And remember that learning
“During the next 25 years, be never stops.”
ON THE GROW