Members are touring Kinze Manufacturing, Fair Oaks Dairy/Swine Farm and Quad Cities Food Hub.

In addition to tours, members are attending general sessions where they will hear from keynote speakers and attending workshops and a career show.

Funds raised at the event are used to support chapter operations, including participation in Career Development events, leadership conferences and workshops, state and national convention trips and community service projects.

During the evening freshman chapter members will also receive their Greenhand Degrees.

Seven Mount Ayr FFA members recently attended the South Central District FFA Greenhand Fireup event in Indianola. The event for first year FFA members allows members to learn about setting goals, serving their community and opportunities in FFA.

Pictured above are (back row, L-R) Avery Riggs, Tyler Jones, Austin Greenland, and Grant Anderson; (front row) Cole Mobley, Jamie Stackhouse and Brice Phelps.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 23, 2017, Page 18

The Mount Ayr Agriculture Education program consists of Class Instruction, SAE Member Projects, and FFA. The instruction components of Crop Production and Livestock Production compliment the Ag program offered at SWC and prepare for post secondary coursework. The FFA Chapter works with many community groups and service projects each year as part of a state approved Program of Activities. In addition to community involvement, FFA and SAE projects continue to develop future leaders through a variety of district and state contests.

Front row, from left: Brice Phelps, Bradley Phelps, Drew Willis, Clay Wimer, Cauy Bickel, Cal Daughton, Trevor Henry, Marcus Daughton and Mitchell Lutrick.

Second row, from left: Advisor Courtney May, Abigail Barnes, Mercadez Birkenholtz, Jessica McCreary, Heath Andersen, Lanie Sheil, Hayley Whittington, Megan Warin, Caroline McAlexander, Quentin Gregg and Eian Adams.

Third row, from left: Jacob McCreary, Adelyda Ebersole, Brent Bounds, Josie Houseman, Cheyenne Haveman, Jentri Ruby, Amber Davison, Samantha Schaefer and Alan Davis.

Fourth row, from left: Jordan McAlexander, Kade Klommhaus, Hadlie Sickels, Elizabeth Sobotka, Brianna Dory, Hannah Jackson, Elsie Schafer, Paige Lynch and Hanna Ackley.

Fifth row, from left: Cole Mobley, Andrew Belzer, Tyler Jones, Addison Shay, Jamie Stackhouse, Grant Anderson, Austin Greenland and Joan Trujillo.

Sixth row, from left: Christopher Kemery, Ty Taylor, Kolben Klommhaus, Clayton Hanse, Avery Riggs and Ryker Hickman.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2017

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 09, 2017, Page 6

24 FFA members from the Mount Ayr FFA Chapter participated in Sub-District Career Development Events in Stuart last Tuesday. Results are as follows: Austin Greenland, Radio Broadcasting - Silver; Conduct of meetings team consisting of Elizabeth Sobotka, Ryker Hickman, Brice Phelps, Jamie Stackhouse, Jordan McAlexander, Hanna Ackley and Abigail Barnes - Silver; Hadlie Sickels, Creed Speaking - Silver; Alternate to Districts: Mercadez Birkenholz, Extemporaneous Speaking - Bronze; Clayton Hanson, Job Interview - Silver; Adelyda Ebersole, Public Speaking - Silver; Parliamentary Procedure Team consisting of Alan Davis, Caroline McAlexander, Tyler Jones, Ryann Martin and Grant Anderson - Silver, Alternate to Districts. The FFA will compete in additional Career Development Events at Districts on Saturday, March 4th, in Centerville.

The Mount Ayr FFA Chapter celebrated National FFA Week by competing in Sub-District contests on Tuesday. Wednesday, District and State Officers Zach Hoffman and Mara Wiese participated in a chapter visit. Officers led the chapter in several leadership and communications activities. Members enjoyed an ice cream social after school on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, FFA members hosted a teacher appreciation breakfast for all staff in the Ag Room. We also hosted guest speakers from Mashoffs and Iowa Corn. To wrap up the week, FFA members grilled hamburgers , donated by the Ringgold County Cattlemen, and served lunch to all middle school and high school students.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2017

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, April 05, 2017, Page 6

The Mount Ayr FFA Chapter held its Annual Banquet on Tuesday, March 28th at the Mount Ayr High School In attendance were over 200 members and guests to celebrate the accomplishments of the chapter and its members during the year. Those in attendance enjoyed a catered meal by Donetta Phelps, Wagon Wheel Cafe', Tingley, Iowa.

Members were recognized for their achievements in Leadership Career Development Events from Sub-District and District contests. Receiving Chapter Proficiency Awards were: Small Animal Production , Entrepreneurship - Elsie Schafer, Beef Production, Entrepreneurship - Brice Phelps, Ag Sales Placement - Mike James, Agricultural Services Placement - Clay Wimer, Diversified Crop Production, Placement - Cal Daughton, Diversified Agricultural Production, Placement - Russell Holmes, Swine Production, Entrepreneurship - Caroline McAlexander, Turf Grass Management, Entrepreneurship - Clayton Hansen, Turf Grass Management, Placement - Jentri Ruby, Vegetable Production, Entrepreneurship - Alan Davis, Sheep Production, Entrepreneurship - Brianna Dory, and Equine Science, Placement - Josie Houseman.

Greenhand Degree recipients were recognized and Jamie Stackhouse was named Star Greenhand. First year member, Hadlie Sickels presented the FFA Creed.

Caroline McAlexander, Elsie Schafer, Eian Adams, Jentri Ruby, Samantha Schaefer, Mercadez Birkenholz, Quentin Gregg, and Drew Willis received their Chapter Degrees and Caroline McAlexander was named Star Chapter Farmer.

Samantha Schaefer received a one hundred dollar scholarship for her Supervised Agriculture Experience sponsored by BTC Bank and presented by Doug Hickman.

Our five Iowa Degree recipients: Clay Wimer, Cal Daughton, Megan Reasoner, Mike James and Megan Warin were recognized for their achievements. In addition, Megan Warin and Megan Reasoner were awarded the Iowa FFA Academic Achievement Award for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.

The DEKALB Ag Accomplishment Award [sponsored by the Monsanto Company] recognizes one outstanding Senior member and was awarded to Megan Warin. Warin, daughter of Joe and Donna Warin, will have her name recorded on a permanent plaque displayed in the high school. This year the DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award celebrates its 70th anniversary.

Mr. Jim Collins was recognized as an Honorary Chapter Degree recipient for his donation to the Ag Mechanics class last year.

Out top three fruit salesman, Tyler Jones, Eian Adams, and Cauy Bickel, were recognized.

Serving the Mount Ayr Chapter in 2017-2018 will be Adelyda Ebersole, President; Drew Willis, Vice President; Mercadez Birkenholtz, Treasurer; Caroling McAlexander, Reporter; Tyler Jones, Secretary and Cauy Bickel, Sentinel.

The Mount Ayr FFA Chapter thanks everyone for their support at this time and all year!

Courtney May is the FFA advisor at Mount Ayr High School.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2017

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 01, 2017, Page 9

The Mount Ayr FFA chapter held its annual Farm Safety Day for the fifth and sixth graders on May 16.

Students traveled to the fairgrounds where they learned about livestock, lawn mower, tractor and bale processor, grain bin, and ATV safety. Each session was about ten to fifteen minutes, and anyone was able to ask as many questions as they wanted.

FFA members assisted in leading groups and presenting at different stations. The FFA would like to give a hug thank you to the Farm Bureau for donations toward this fun-filled, educational activity.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2017