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FUTURE FARMERS: Middle School FFA among two in state

NBC Middle School FFA members who participated in the Horticultural Exposition

Chapter fundamentals
   ”FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education,” states the FFA Mission. The Northern Burlington Middle School FFA Chapter strives to meet that mission through student activities and involvement. The chapter was chartered during the 2004-2005 school year and currently has 27 active seventh- and eighth-grade members. It is one of only two middle school chapters in the state.
   Wednesdays are “FFA Day” on members’ calendars. Chapter meetings are held once a month after school. During this time officers conduct Official FFA Opening Ceremonies, members make decisions about upcoming events and receive information regarding activities, and video highlights of the activities from the previous month are presented. Other Wednesdays during the month are used for recreational activities, training for contests, preparation for upcoming events, and community service activities. Members are able to keep informed about chapter events through the Middle School FFA Web site at www.nbcmiddleffa.wetpaint.com.
Meeting the FFA Mission
   Members have engaged in developing their potential for career success by participating in career development events coordinated by the New Jersey Office of Agricultural Education. This fall, eight members participated in two events that were held at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. The Dairy Foods team placed eighth out of 14 teams competing in the state. They were the only middle school team entered in the event.
   Students evaluated milk samples for off flavor, identified different cheeses, determined real versus imitation dairy products, and took a written test on dairy production and marketing. Team members were Ben Wainwright, Patrick Zavacky, Dan Hutson and Jessie Robinson. The Fruit and Vegetable identification team was composed of members Jane Sutton, Allyson Lebak, Wesley Bouchelle and Nick Pica. Members identified forty fruit and vegetable specimens and judged five classes of produce. The team ranked 13th out of 25 teams.
   Last month, 10 students participated in the New Jersey FFA Horticultural Exposition. This event allows students to apply floral design concepts by completing arrangements that are judged by industry experts. There were over 600 entries in this event from 25 FFA chapters in the state. Northern Burlington Middle School was one of two middle school chapters who entered and students had their arrangements evaluated against high school students.
   All middle school members completed silk floral arrangements with the following results (listed by student, class they entered and ranking):
   First place: Brittany Rowles, Thinking of; Shelby South, Harvest Festival.
   Second place: Jessie Robinson, FFA Celebration.
   Third place: Jennifer Bucko, Secretary’s Day; Allyssa Pica, Harvest Festival; Jane Sutton, A Formal Affair.
   Fourth place: Thomas Haslam, Look at that Container; Amanda Thomson, Mother’s Day; Taylor Falkowski, Independence Day; Samantha Cattani, Mother’s Day; and Jennifer Bucko, Easter Basket.
   Career skills are also gained through fundraisers the chapter conducts. In the fall members raised money through a calendar sale. Middle School members also assisted the High School chapter in the Annual Chicken BBQ held at Chesterfield Firehouse in October. Through collecting money students learn accounting and financial management practices. Approaching people to sell their items to promotes public speaking skills.
Premier leadership
   The Northern Burlington Middle School Officer Team is composed of:
   President Wesley Bouchelle, seventh-grade vice president Ben Wainwright, eighth-grade vice president Dan Hutson, secretary Jessie Robinson, treasurer Jane Sutton, reporters Jennifer Bucko and Kelly Gangel, sentinel Thomas Haslam, reporter Nick Pica, parliamentarian Allyson Lebak.
   To celebrate FFA week, held Feb. 21-28, and develop their leadership skills, members attended a leadership workshop held at Delaware Valley College (DVC). Students participated in a rotation of workshops and engaged in games and discussions to explore topics related to teamwork, communication and career goals. Additionally, then toured the farms at DVC. Members also celebrated FFA week with a showcase in the main hallway of the middle school and promotion of a Blue and Gold Day.
   The chapter has a Member of the Month Recognition Program where students complete an application that indicates their involvement with FFA activities and leadership experiences, highlights their agricultural work experience, and expresses why they believe they should be selected as member of the month. 2009 members of the month are: February, Jennifer Bucko; March, Samantha Cattani.
   Community service is another aspect of premier leadership. This winter members conducted a Pet Food and Supply drive for the Burlington County Animal Shelter. Ben Wainwright spearheaded the event, which collected two vehicles full of food for delivery to the shelter. Members who delivered the supplies toured the Animal Shelter and learned about the services provided and needs the shelter has.
Personal growth
   Middle School members experience personal growth through many of their FFA opportunities. Recreational events challenge them to meet new friends and apply healthy lifestyle skills. Students also realize the importance of being stewards of the environment. Members are collecting used ink jet cartridges as part of a recycling program.
   This summer, six members experienced personal growth through participating in the New York State FFA Leadership Foundation’s Camp Oswegatchie. This weeklong experience in New York’s Adirondack Mountains allowed members to share ideas with chapters from other states, engage in outdoor recreation such as archery, canoeing, and horseback riding, and receive leadership training.
The FFA Jacket
    For many members, the FFA Jacket is a symbol of pride. Young members are often eager to receive their first jacket. Last year, Jennifer Bucko competed in the “Blue Jackets. Bright Futures. Essay Event” supported by the New Jersey FFA Foundation. By expressing why she deserved a jacket, what her FFA involvement has been and what she thinks her FFA future looks like, Jennifer won her first FFA Jacket and stood on stage at the State FFA convention to receive it. This year, other middle school members are working on their essays for this event. You can support this New Jersey FFA Foundation cause by visiting http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/ag_ed/ffa/partners/BluejacketPromo1.pdf.
Upcoming events
   Currently members are gearing up for the Spring berry plant sale and preparing for the New Jersey FFA Convention to be held in May at Rutgers University. Wes Bouchelle and Dan Hutson will serve as chapter delegates during business sessions. Jennifer Bucko and Kelly Gangel are working to prepare the chapter scrapbook for judging. Chapter members are learning the FFA Creed and considering competing in the Creed Speaking contest. Some members are exploring the idea of entering the demonstration event. At the end of the school year, members will showcase their successes at a chapter awards program.
About the advisor
   Middle School FFA Advisor Robin McLean attended the 2005 Chapter Chartering Ceremony for the Northern Burlington Middle School FFA Chapter. However, at that time she was serving in a different role, that of New Jersey FFA Specialist with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Prior to her experience as FFA Specialist, Ms. McLean was a high school Agricultural Science teacher in Salem County. Missing the opportunity to witness students have eye-opening experiences about the impact agriculture has in their lives and share her passion for the industry with them, she returned to the classroom in September 2007. She currently serves as New Jersey Agricultural Education Association Secretary and is on a National FFA Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Task Force. Ms. McLean has agriculture in her blood, as her grandfather established an agricultural program and FFA chapter in Pennsylvania. When she graduated high school, her agriculture teacher expressed “Think about. Agriculture teaching really is quite a life!”