LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) "FFA-Lcaders With A Vision” was the theme for National FFA week, Feb. 15-22. Lancaster County has 11 active FFA chapters with approximately 1,200 members. County officers coordinate activities such as lead ership conferences, hayrides, and career development events for members in the county. Local chapters including Eph er, and Joanne Zimmerman were recognized for their work producing capons for their SOE. y. Vince Metzler were the meats evaluation and technology judging teams, pictured here after winning the state contest at FFA Activities Week at Penn State. They went on to the National FFA Convention at Kansas City, Mo., where the team placed bronze. Glenn Fellenbaum, and Jessica Hess after fin* Ishlng second at the state contest at the FFA activities week at Penn State In June. They went to the Eastern States Competition In Massachu setts where they placed fifth. Agriculture Mechai.. first at the state level and went on to Judge at the national level at Kansas City. Mo. Pictured from left to right are Jared Witmer, Jason Hershock. Ben Hershock, and Paul James. Local Chapters Celebrate FFA Week rata, Solanco, Elizabethtown. Eastern Lancaster, Penn Manor, Lancaster Mennonite, Pequea Valley, Garden Spot, Lampeter- Strasburg, Manheim Central, and Warwick are active in the FFA. Each of the chapters participates in a variety of activities. Here are a few highlights of the events co ordinated by the FFA chapters in Lancaster County. The Cloister FFA chapter of Ephrata High School, advised by Earnest Orr and Jodi Brown, re cently updated their program of activities. One of the special pro grams of the FFA is a Supervised Occupational Experience which is tailored to fit each student’s inter ests and career goals. These proj ects range from working in an agricultural industry to raising a crop or animal. Each student re quires specialized attention to help Members of the sophomore class (top center) Reid Myers, Jenny Hoover, Andy Nolt, Jay Zim merman, and Adam Balmer explore some of the uses for com beside traditional animal and hu man feeds. poultry evaluation Judging and technology Con test at FFA activities week at Penn State Univer sity. The team placed first at the state level and went on to Judge at the national level at Kansas City, Mo. Pictured from left to right, Tyler Swan son, Jeremy Railing, Beth Frey, and Jesse Farm- ipetL ac.if yc , j -ifc ' i J^t..r , Jßl^Bih ; * 1 01 m I ** : af^Jlt N>. * < > Pequea Valley FFA officer team 1996-1997, from left, Justin Fisher, vice president; Ronlta Miller, treasurer; Lisa Leldy, president; Joy Jones, secretary; Aaron Ranck, reporter; Andy Byler, chaplain; and Bob Stewart, sentinel, not pictured. with planning and to supervise progress. The Cloister FFA has implemented a mentoring pro gram between the FFA members and Ephrata Area Young Farmers. These adults help guide the stu dents and provide information and support for their projects. The FFA chapter at Eastern Lancaster County has recently im plemented a new aquatics pro gram. Under the direction of Phil Solanco FFA delegation attends the annual PA FFA Summer convention and participates in state Judging contest at FFA Week. Kreider sponsor a barnyard for students In a pre kindergarten class. blannually to hold an officer retreat. Here the of ficers plan activities, discuss how to improve the FFA, bring out their Ideas, and have fun getting to know each other. The officers also meet mem bers of West Snyder FFA, who are only a few minutes away. i - student adviser, Darren Martin - treasurer, Steve Hamish - reporter, Phil Eby - sentinel. Sec ond Row, Beth Wenrich - 2nd reporter, Keith Weaver - president, Dayna Welnhold - secretary, Denise Hoover - vice president, Susie Wenrich - chaplain. Third Row, Lem Metzler ■ faculty ad viser; Jeff Nissley, second treasurer; and Jared Miller, second sentinel. Ogline, Bob Lauffer, Cliff Day, and Bruce Stajmajh, members of the Grassland chapter hope to grow 6,000 pounds of Talapia a year. The program, with financial assistance from a state grant, is lo cated at the Shirk Farm and will be in operation in September 1997. Elizabethtown FFA chapter runs a school owned farm. Stu dents under the direction of Wil (Turn to Page A2l)