The state land judging contest was held on Nov. 5 near Scottsbluff, NE. The team from Cedar Rapids competed well, with Brian Choat and Melissa Mogensen earning ribbons.

   “We would have liked to place higher but we’re proud of reaching our goal of beating the always-tough Twin River team,” explained Mr. Wetovick.

   These students experienced a vastly different landscape, and were exposed to sugar Beet production/processing in Western Nebraska.

   “I was amazed by the different landscape in Western Nebraska compared to where we live. The weather was not the best but four layers of coats did help,” said Melissa Mogensen. “There was stiff competition but just to make it to the state level was an honor.

   “On the way home we stopped at Chimney Rock. It was interesting reading about its history but it wasn’t as big as I had imagined.”

   “The new scenery shocked me. I was in cultural shock ~just with dirt. It was an unforgettable experience,” explained Chelsey Autry

   Brian Choat said of the experience, “I really liked all the mountains and Chimney Rock was cool too.”

Cedar Rapids FFA News
   The Cedar Rapids FFA chapter members cooperated with the Nebraska Soybean Board in a project that involved testing soybean samples for oil and protein content.

   Foreign buyers of US soybeans demand soybeans containing 19 percent oil and 35 percent protein. The project was initiated to determine just how the 2008 crop stacked up.

   Local FFA members collected one-pound soybean samples from 29 area producers. The samples were then mailed to Lincoln where they were tested.

   The average protein in samples tested this year was 32.8 percent and the average oil content was 19 percent. Test results were mailed back to all the producers along with two free rain gauges as a reward for their effort.

   The Cedar Rapids FFA Chapter received a check in the amount of $145, five dollars per sample collected. We felt that this provided a good service to area soybean producers and fostered good public relations within the agriculture community.

   Cedar Rapids FFA and Ag students competed in District VI Proficiency Award Competition. Proficiency awards are based on the student’s agriculture experience program. The results are as follows:

• Michael VanDeWalle - Beef Production Entrepreneur, Gold 2
• Samantha VanDeWalle - Beef Production Entrepreneur, Gold 3, Sheep Production, Silver Diversified Livestock, Gold 2;
• Ashley VanDeWalle - Beef Production Entrepreneur, Silver
• Lee Watts - Home and Community Improvement, Silver
• Kevin Beierman - Sheep Production, Gold 1, State Degree District Star in Production
• Keri Beierman - Sheep Production, Gold 3
• Elle Choyeski - Small Animal Production, Silver
• Delilah Choat - Swine Production Entrepreneur, Silver
• Colton Boesch - Swine Production Placement, Bronze
• Chris Hellbusch – Beef Production Placement, Gold 1
• Michael Kennedy - Diversified Ag. Placement, Bronze
• Adam McIntyre - Diversified Ag. Placement, Participant
• Tyler Kennedy - Diversified Ag. Placement, Silver State Degree
• Melissa Mogensen - State Degree
• Dillon Busch- Ag Mechanics-Design and Fabrication, Bronze
Congratulations to everyone!

 

Results from the FFA’s Leadership Skills Events at Aurora, on Dec. 10, 2008:
   Qualifying for state was: Ashley VanDeWalle in Jr. Public Speaking with 1st purple Jr. High Quiz Bowl team w/ members Trey Mogensen, Evey Choat, Kevin Johnson, and Ally Kennedy with 1st purple

   Earning Alternate to State was the Junior Parliamentary Procedure team made up of Ashey VanDeWalle, Keri Beierman, Elle Choyeski, Jennifer Sanchez, Michael Kennedy, Delilah Choat, and Max Schlier.
Andrew Armatys placed 4th in the tough Creed Speeking competition also receiving a blue ribbon.

   Likewise, Melissa Mogensen earned 4th place and a blue in the very competitive Job Interview contest.

   The Ag. Demonstration team made up of Melissa Mogensen, Kevin Beierman and Tyler Kennedy placed well with a blue ribbon.

Sammi VanDeWalle earned a blue ribbon in Senior Public Speaking.
Chelsey Autry received a blue in Cooperative speaking.
Delilah Choat received a red ribbon for her courageous attempt at Extemporaneous Speaking.