This is Mormon Trail FFA’s first year having their own, newly charted chapter, which they were recognized for at state convention in Ames. Here, a few members attended and participated in meals for the heartland. Since separating from Central Decatur, Mormon Trail’s sixteen members have been very busy. In May, members hung flags in the Humeston Cemetery for Memorial Day. Officers Brett Leer (president), Baylee Head (VP), Kaylee Parmer (secretary), James Evans (treasurer), Mackinzie Wright (reporter), Brittany Knust (reporter), Reece Myers (sentinel), and Jamie Young (chaplain) attended officer training in June. Kaylee Parmer and Reece Vandell showed at Decatur county fair, and Brett Leer, James Evans, Andrew Reed, and Baylee Head showed at Lucas County fair. At the state fair, Kaylee Parmer, Britany and Courtney Knust, and Reece Vandell participated in Little Hands on the Farm. The state livestock judging team received a silver rating, and the sub-district and district soil judging team received a bronze rating. At Osceola CDE day, the novice team placed first and the greenhand team placed third. Greenhand members (new members), attended a fire up camp at Indianola. The chapter successfully sold mums for a fundraiser, and they are currently selling assorted fruit, cheese, and candy items. One of their biggest accomplishments this year was adopting a section of highway 65, where you can see a sign displayed recognizing them. They are in the process of starting  up a middle school FFA for Mormon Trail as well. In the future, members plan to do trash clean up, and host a parent/member banquet.

FallLetter2015

February 23rd through February 28th was FFA week. FFA members had a busy week preparing events and getting the school to participate. On Monday they started off with greenhand day and member appreciation. To start off the week, the FFA leader, Mrs. Baker, bought breakfast for all of the members as a thank you for their hard work. The new FFA members or “greenhands” wore individual Tshirts decorated with their names and green handprints. Their hands were painted green and they were expected to make an animal noise and hop on one foot when their name was called. Tuesday was drive a different vehicle day. James Evans was the overall winner driving a John Deere tractor. On Wednesday staff and students wore the color of their favorite tractor and the FFA members cooked breakfast for the faculty. On Thursday the FFA members wore their official dress. Throughout the week there were donation jars for each teacher and whoever had the most money at the end of the week had to kiss an animal. Mr. Moore was the lucky winner and had to kiss a chicken at an assembly. Afterwards, he chose Travis Pollock to kiss the chicken as well. At the assembly the members also shared an educational video about FFA. Saturday night they hosted a spaghetti supper to raise money for their chapter.

By: Courtney Knust

It’s been since 1976 that the Mormon Trail School District has had its own FFA Chapter. In the spring of 2014 Mormon Trail School board along with administration decided that it was time for us to have our own chapter to benefit our community and school. This year’s members have already participated in several Career Development Events such as Soil Judging, Livestock Judging, Greenhand Quiz and have done very well. The freshmen attended Greenhand Fire­Up Camp in Indianola and enjoyed the activities, as well as, meeting members from other FFA chapters. The members have set many goals of which include to be involved more in the communities of Humeston, Garden Grove and Derby. The calendar is full of activities to come such as Districts, National FFA Week, Annual Spaghetti Supper, Food for America Program at the elementary, State Convention, Parent­Member banquet, hanging flags at local cemeteries, as well as, activities/events with the Central Trail FFA Chapter in Leon. The chapter just finished with their annual Fruit and Cheese Sales. FFA members appreciate past and future support from our communities and plan on returning that back!

FFA members include: Reece Myers, Baylee Head, Connor Michael, Mackinzie Wright, Brittany Knust, Courtney Knust, James, Evans, Jamie Young, Andrew Reed, Maxwell Richardson, Kaylee Parmer, Brett Leer (not pictured Bradley Douglass) FFA officers for 2014­15 are:(front row) Baylee Head ­ President, Courtney Knust ­ Reporter, James Evans ­ Treasurer, (second row) Jamie Young ­ Chaplain/Parliamentarian, Andrew Reed Secretary, Maxwell Richardson ­ Sentinel, Kaylee Parmer ­ Historian, Brett Leer ­ Vice President