The FFA started as a club for boys in 1934 in New London who were taking agriculture classes. It wasn’t until 1969 that women were officially allowed as members.
As technology, science and business continues to change the face of agriculture, FFA members are exploring one of over 300 careers related to agriculture. Members and guests were honored to hear from State FFA Treasurer, Sam Tauchen, as he talked about infinite potential of FFA members. A resident of Bonduel, Sam is serving as the Section 8 officer this year.
This year’s top cheese and sausage salespersons were 1st- April Carpenter and 2nd- Brittany Kiesow, 3rd- Gabby Scheisser. Individual awards regarding GPA improvements went to freshman with above a 3.75 GPA: Ashley Beyer, Kayla Bovee, Trevor Crain, and Jennifer Straw, sophomore most improved: Jackie McGuire, junior most improved: Charissa Bohman, and senior most improved Will Gruetzmacher. The highest senior cumulative award went to Becky Schuelke with a cumulative 3.884. Star Greenhand was earned by April Carpenter, daughter of Dave and Michell Carpenter, for all her activities this year. The Star FFA chapter member went to senior Jared Manske for his record project hours, son of Matt and Kathy Mankse. Junior Anna Schneider, daughter of Tim and Barb Schneider was named the Star in Agriscience for her variety of natural resource projects.
Local proficiency winners were: Pagye Johnson, silvers in specialty animals, small animal and poultry. On the state level, Jared Manske earned a silver in dairy placement, with over 4,000 hours in working on their family’s dairy operation. Anna Schneider, in the area of natural resources/environmental earned a 6th Gold with her volunteer experiences at Mosquito Hill.
Saying thank you to a variety of community members, the Honorary FFA Degree went to Mr. Lyle Janke earned the State FFA degree in 1977, served as president as a senior, and remains active with the FFA Alumni. Rounding out the awards, the FFA Alumni awarded Jared Manske a $500 scholarship where he will attend UW-Platteville next fall for animal science. Both Jared Manske and Ashley Kiesow were 4 year members of the FFA. The New London FFA Chapter is greatly appreciative to all those who helped make the New London FFA a year to remember.