The Mattoon FFA Chapter celebrated its fourth year of reinstatement at the Annual FFA Chapter banquet held on May 9, 2011 at The WalkWay in Mattoon, IL. In addition to a catered meal, attendees witnessed award presentations for the school year, foundation donation recognition, and a Keynote Address by Illinois State FFA Secretary, Cody Gill.
The final recognition of the evening went to the retiring 2010-2011 Officer team of Alex Elliott, Felicity Shoultz, Trey Utsler, Dalton Cox, Cody Morris, Brody Warren, and Tim Lading. The 2011-2012 Officer Team of President, Trey Utsler; Vice President, Felicity Shoultz; Secretary, Chelsea Keefe; Treasurer, Cody Morris; Reporter, Alex Elliott; Sentinel, Gabe Stoll; and Historian, Reaghan Elliott was also installed.
On October 19-21, 2011 seven members of the Mattoon FFA Chapter attended the 82nd Annual National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. While there, members attended convention sessions held in Conseco Fieldhouse which included motivational keynote speeches, award ceremonies, and National FFA Officer Retiring Addresses. Members also attended the FFA Career Show and Shopping mall and a Blake Shelton Concert held in the Lucas Oil Stadium. Members attending included Alex Elliott, Reaghan Elliott, Chelsea Keefe, Dalton Manning, Felicity Shoultz, Gabe Stoll, and Nathaniel Stoll.
The FFA Mission: 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.
By Alex Elliott,
Gabe Stoll and Trey Utsler of the Mattoon FFA Chapter recently attended the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp, held at Allerton Park near Monticello from July 27 to July 30, 2011. They were among over 300 campers from across the state that gathered to develop leadership skills and learn more about the FFA. Campers participated in a challenge course to develop teamwork, Ag Olympics, FFA Power Sessions, dance, and a large water balloon fight. They also listened to presentations from the Illinois FFA Alumni, Illinois Foundation FFA, hypnotist Dr. Morton Ford, and a guest speaker Harlan “Butch” Cotter.
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On December 8, 2011, the Mattoon FFA Chapter participated in the Section 20 Parliamentary Procedure CDE held at Cumberland High School. The team consisted of Gabe Stoll as Chairman and Alex Elliott as Secretary. Floor Members for the Mattoon team included: Chelsea Keefe, Cody Morris, Austin Sherman, and Trey Utsler. Stoll earned second place Chairman, and Elliott earned second place individual. Overall, the team’s combined scores earned them a second place finish in the Section 20 contest sending them to the District IV Parliamentary Procedure Contest.
The Parliamentary Procedure Career Development Event tests participants on their Parliamentary Procedure knowledge through an individual test and ten minute team meeting presentation.
On October 13, 2011 six members of the Mattoon FFA Chapter competed at the Section 20 Land-Use Judging Career Development Event held in Cumberland County, near Neoga, Illinois. Those participating were Anna deBuhr, Andy Dole, Reaghan Elliott, Chelsea Keefe, Dalton Manning, and Gabe Stoll. The Land-Use Judging Contest tests a participant’s ability to evaluate a soil’s texture, color, structure, and various other aspects of soil science. Mattoon earned a fourth place finish among schools in Section 20. The contest was held at Overton Farms in rural Mattoon.
The FFA Mission: 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.
Mattoon Agriculture Program Advisory Council Member and Journalist, Krista Lewin, has written an article outlining Mattoon FFA's success over the past year in the National Chapter Award Program. Click on the link to read more about this honor...
On December 1, 2009 the Mattoon FFA Chapter competed in the Section 20 Agronomy Judging Career Development Event held at Lake Land College. Members competing were Patrick Baxter, Dalton Cox, Alex Elliott, Preston Hutchison, Tim Lading, Jacob Miller, Felicity Shoultz, and Brody Warren. The Agronomy Judging CDE involves crop and weed identification, a written exam, and evaluation of rings of corn, soybeans, wheat and silage. Mattoon was the seventh place team overall in Section 20. Assisting with the event were Mattoon members Michaela Harris and DJ Shirley.
On September 24, 2009 seven members of the Mattoon FFA Chapter competed at the Section 20 Forestry Judging Career Development Event held at Fox Ridge in
The Forestry Judging Contest consists of a Forestry Exam, Tree Identification Test, Forestry Equipment Identification Test, Compass Use Practicum, and Tree Measurement Practicum.
On September 17, 2008 representatives of the Mattoon FFA Chapter attended the Section 20 Leadership Training School in
Don’t forget to keep updating your SAE Record Books throughout the summer! The EZ Records web address is http://ezrecords.aces.uiuc.edu/.
The Mattoon FFA Chapter celebrated its first year of reinstatement at the Annual FFA Chapter banquet held on May 8, 2008 at The WalkWay in
The Mattoon FFA chapter has had many activities going on during the spring. A highlight of the spring has been our Farm Safety Supply distribution. This was started by our FFA Chapter sentinel Joy Vanneste, who applied for an Illinois FFA Foundation grant through the Alliance Pipeline. In all, our chapter spent $1200 on SMV Signs, flashers, and First-Aid kits, and we are currently distributing them at the Coles County Farm Bureau offices and at our Mattoon Agriculture Department classroom.
In addition to the Safety Program, our chapter cooperative has been “Mattoon FFA Recycles”. This activity consists of collecting used printing cartridges, and them sending them to the National FFA Organization to be recycled. In conducting this activity we are able to help the environment and we are able to give our FFA members a way to earn money as shareholders. One of our members has made over 200 dollars and has ordered her Official FFA jacket along with other items.
Another highlight of our spring activities has been our recruitment efforts for next year’s agriculture program. We have completed two activities to hopefully recruit new FFA members at the freshman level. Our first activity involved the FFA Officer team traveling to the middle school to present to the entire eight grade class and answer any questions that they had. Our second recruitment activity was at the freshman orientation night held at the high school. We had four FFA members attend to speak to the incoming freshman and their parents on the benefits that the FFA has to offer.
In addition to these and many other activities, we have competed in several FFA Career Development Events throughout the school year. Our FFA year will officially end on May 8, 2008 as we recognize our members’ achievements during this first year of reinstatement and install the new FFA officers for the 2008-2009 school year.
On February 28, 2008, at
On February 26, 2008 five members of the Mattoon FFA Chapter competed at the Section 20 Meats Judging Career Development Event held Hartrick meats in
The Meats Judging Contest Evaluates a student’s ability to judge Beef and Pork Carcasses on Yield and Quality, while also being able to identify retail cuts of meat from beef, pork, and lamb.
During the Spring Semester, the Mattoon FFA Chapter will be distributing over $1200 in SMV Signs and First-aid Kits for farmers through a grant received from the Illinois FFA/ Alliance Pipeline Community Safety Grant. The grant application process was the responsibility of the FFA Chapter Sentinel, Joy Vanneste. The FFA plans to place the free signs and kits at local businesses prior to the spring planting season.
On January 17th, the Mattoon FFA conducted an 8th Grade Recruitment Program at the