AZS-UChcator WrWhfl, aftuftfcy,' MWftfry tS$”t9N VERNON ACHENBACH JR. Lancaster Fanning Staff HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) More than 200 members of the Pennsylvania FFA and parents and adult leaders Monday attended the 65th FFA Mid-Winter Convention in the Large Arena of the state Farm Show Complex. It was the second straight year for the FFA to holds it convention in conjunction with the annual Farm Show event. In previous years, the FFA held its convention at the Fomm Build ing in Harrisburg, oblivious to par ticipants and attendees across town at the state Farm Show. The two events werd concurrent, but other wise unassociated. Last year, in order to boost publ ic awareness of the organization, its leadership opted to hold the convention in the Large Arena of the complex. It was success and was repeated this year. To a packed arena, the members conducted their annual convention meeting, held primarily to make recognition of the outstanding sup port to the organization by indivi duals, to present Keystone Farmer Degrees, the highest state degree, and to select the four recipients of the state Star awards, one of its highest honors. Also honored are FFA chapters which have received state or state and-national recognition for activ ities during the past year. .agricultural sales, service and mechanics from Barry Oswald, state FFA advisor. Jamas Garwart racaivaa • Pa. FFA State Star Award for apacializad agrieultura from Barry Oswald, state FFA advisor. FFA Holds Convention At Farm Show In addition to the special guests and recognized supporters, includ ing Boyd Wolff, state secretary of agriculture, U.S. Sen. Harris Wof ford gave a short address to the group. Wofford talked about Russell Redding, former executive direc tor of the state FFA and former slate officer who now works as Wofford’s chief of operations in Washington 0.C., and how he can sec the same leadership qualities that Redding possesses in the FFA state officers of 1993-94. Of special emphasis during his address, Wofford talked about the need for education reform and how it is coming and that it will incor porate more of the FFA-way of passing on knowlege by doing things. “People leant best by doing.” Wofford said. “Real learning involves getting your hands ditty,” he said, adding that the same observation was made by Socrates —an excess of book knowledge without a direct real world connection is more or less wasted knowledge. “You’re on the crest of educa tion reform,” he told the group say ing that teachers should be more like coaches and provide instruc tion and support. Further, he said that it will be based on a saying, “What I hear I forget What I see. I remember. What I do, I understand.” In other business, Linda Hall, of the Little Lion FFA Chapter in State College, was the recipient of the 1993 FFA Computers in Agri culture award. In her work she incorporated several computers, and programmed spreadsheets for tracking and maintaining her chap ter’s citrus sales, and for research and for use in the chapter’s SAE. It is the last year the award is to be presented. Over the years, there were four recipients of that award. Other awards presented included those to chapters which have increased membership by 10 or more during the past yean Nan cy Clove was recognized with the Blue and Gold award for her out standing service to the Pa. FFA. Earl Brown was recognized for being Agricultural Science Teach er of the Year. As leader of the Spud Growers Chapter in Coudersport for 28 years. Brown has 159 youth enrolled in his prog ram which has incorporated a number of different innovative projects. Barry Oswald, state advisor, was also recognized by the associ ation for his two years with the group. He announced a job change within the state Department of Education, that was causing him to leave. A replacement was not announced. The announcement of the 1994 State Star Award recipients began with an introduction of the region al stars. There are four different catagories in which a member can strive to achieve recognition for outstanding peformance: in pro duction agriculture; in agricultural sales, service and mechanics; in horticultural production; and in specialized agriculture. In the production catagory, Laurie Janine Wildman, daughter of Edward T. Wildman and Loretta Wildman, from Westfield, was named State Star. Wildman, the FFA Northcentral Pa. Region Star in Production, has been involved with sheep and swine breeding and finishing for the past four years at her parents’ farm. She also has gotten off-farm work experience at Fox’s Pizza Den, and served as her chapter’s reporter, vice president and president In addition to her FFA activities, she has been involved with the Leo Club, SADD, Student Council, and the high school yearbook staff. She said she intends to pursue a college degree in either agricultur al education, or agricultural business. The other regional production stars include James Findley, son of Kenneth and Kathy Findley, of Holtwood, the Eastern Regional Production Star, who has been involved with dairy calves and heifers, market and breeding swine, beef breeding, horse pro duction and raising commercial vegetables. Having served as vice president of the Manor FFA Chapter, Find ley has worked on a farm as a dairy and crop farmer, has been involved with 4-H, and participated in the Pennsylvania Council of Coopera tives. He said he plans to eventual ly go into partnership with his two older brothers at the home farm. Heather Fidler, is the FFA Western Pa. Production Star. The daughter of Richard and Mary Fid ler, of West Alexander, she has served as reporter and vice presi dent of the McGuffey FFA chapter while working with breeding sheep, market hogs and beef cattle. She also has been involved with Laurie Wildman receives a Pa. FFA State Star Award for production agriculture from Barry Oswald, state FFA advisor. the West Alexander Ag Club, the West Alexander Fabric Fusers, and the County Council, and the German Club. She said she intends to pursue a physical therapy degree from Weeling Jesuit College. The Southcentral Pa. Produc tion Star was Tracey Lynn Will wert, from the Red Lion FFA Chapter, where she has served as its secretary and president for two years. The daughter of John and Brenda Willwert, of Red Lion, she has been involved with beef, sheep, and swine finishing pro jects, as well as breeding sheep. She is also involved in the Horse-N-Round 4-H Club and the York County 4-H Beef Club. She said she intends to pursue a college degree in business management. The state FFA Star in Horticul ture recipient was Elizabeth Spay d, daughter of Edwin and Mary Spayd, of Fleetwood, who has been involved in the production of perennials, bedding plants, azaleas and chrysanthemums. She has also worked at a summer produce stand. Spayd, the Eastern Pa. Star Award winner, has served as sec retary, treasurer, and chaplain of the Oley Valley FFA Chapter. She has also played high school field hockey, and been involved with LODA and Olein. She said she plans to work full time for the fam ily business and then go to busi ness school. The state Ag Sales. Service and Mechanics Star is Luke Watson, a member and student advisor of the Spud Growers FFA Chapter, and also the northcentral region star. The son of Douglas and Mary Watson, of Coudersport, Luke has worked for four years for his father at Ulysses Lumber Co. doing such things as piling lumber, doing equipment maintenance and con struction of company buildings. He has also worked in a local store as a cashier and has also done a home improvement project Luke is a member of his church youth group and said he plans to pursue college-level forestry stu dies, before returning to work for his father. The eastern region star is Andrew Homing, son of David and Janice Homing of Monton. His past work experience includes four years working as an electri cian for Nolt Elec tic Service and two years working at Subway, while also serving as treasurer and vice chaplain of the Grassland FFA Chapter. In addition, he has been involved with his church youth group, midget baseball, school (TonttotiasaAM)
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