Gilman FFA focused on growth

The Gilman FFA Chapter has been busy recruiting members and getting individuals active in the FFA. The chapter currently has 25 members on the active roster plus our sixth grade students on the local roster. The goal of our chapter this year was to get more students involved with planning various activities.

During National FFA Week, we are having dress up days for the whole school with the winning class getting a treat. Also at the end of the week, we will have root beer floats for the whole student body and staff. It is a great way to keep students interested in becoming a member. We are also looking at having trivia questions about FFA and agriculture.

Since last year, some of our members have been involved in judging contests. Gracie Skabroud, Wayne McAlpine and Hunter McAlpine participated in the livestock contest at Fox Valley Technical College. Kate Webster, Bailey Angell, and Mikayla Waichulis participated in the dairy products contest. They learned a lot and hope to participate again this year.

Three students, Kate Webster, Kali Anderson and Mikayla Waichulis attended the State FFA Convention in Madison last summer. Kali and Mikayla served as our chapter delegates. Kate entered our FFA scrapbook in the scrapbook competition and received first place in the state for the traditional scrapbook. We toured a seed/grain plant near Madison and learned a little about pricing of crops and the futures market.

In July, the officers attended Jag Lake for Officer Retreat. We had some fun swimming and mini-golfing, but also got a lot of planning done for what we were hoping to do this year with the chapter. Students also participated in the fair showing animals and helping in the AgVentures tent.

This year students have helped with concessions and sold fruit for the annual fruit sale. The FFA had a Christmas party for the members to get together for a good time.

Members are looking forward to celebrating the FFA during the National FFA Week coming up and seeing all the wonderful students. Members are also practicing for judging contests coming up next month. Students are also busy planning Food For America with the fourth grade students out on a farm. Also plans are in the works for the annual FFA banquet. A lot of things to look forward to and memories to be had.