Youth

From Across the Field – FFA Week, Youth Opportunities, and Wild Weather

Happy National FFA Week! Designated a national week in 1947, the week of George Washington’s birthday, National FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday and gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. During the week, chapters conduct a variety of activities to help others in their schools and communities learn about FFA and agricultural education.

If it weren’t for my experience in FFA, I don’t know that I’d be writing to you all today. For me FFA was instrumental in improving and developing communication, decision making, time management, and leadership skills. It was through Career Development Events, such as livestock judging and parliamentary procedure, where I honed those career and life skills. Continue reading From Across the Field – FFA Week, Youth Opportunities, and Wild Weather →

2018 OFMA Convention highlights

By: Matt Reese, Ohio’s Country Journal

Each January the Ohio Fair Managers Association gathers for its annual convention to discuss exhibitions in warmer days ahead.

“The purpose of the convention is to be educational and it allows directors, especially newer directors, to come and rub shoulders with other fairs around the state. That is how you learn,” said Tom Stocksdale from Wayne County who serves as the District 5 representative on the Ohio Fair Managers Association Board of Directors. “People do not really understand the number of volunteer hours that even local fairs have. If fairs had to pay for everything that happens, they couldn’t afford to operate. So much depends on volunteer hours.”

Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels was on hand this year to discuss some of the highlights expected during the upcoming Ohio fair season. Continue reading 2018 OFMA Convention highlights →