The Mt. Storm Chapter of the Future Farmers of America has completed its first year of organization at the Union Educational Complex, and a banquet was held on Friday evening to recognize the participants.
Union teacher Brandon Sollars serves as the advisor of the FFA Chapter.
During the banquet — and as part of his welcoming address — Sollars pointed out that the FFA is “a good opportunity for Union students to learn how agriculture has an impact on this state and on this world.”
Dave Judy, principal of the Mt. Storm School, briefly spoke to the audience, recalling his own days as a FFA member at Petersburg High School.
“I remember traveling to Morgantown for FFA activities in the back of a 1948 Ford, and our chapter was the State FFA sweepstakes winner for 12 straight years,” Judy stated.
He added that the local FFA Chapter “will build character among the Union FFA students, and they will carry the experience for the rest of their lives.”
“This program will bring a sense of identify to this school,” Judy said. “There is pride among those who wear the blue jacket.”
Delegate Allen Evans of the 48th district was the evening’s keynote speaker.
He, too, reminisced about being part of the Petersburg High School FFA, where his first project was raising a hog.
“The students who have been part of the FFA have outstanding leadership qualities and excellent work ethics,” Evans said.
Evans also quoted from the Farmer’s Creed: “I believe in the freedom to care for the land. I believe in hard work and sweat. I believe farming provides education for life.”
Sollars presented the Star Greenhand Award to Grant Reed.
Reed received the award for “going above and beyond to help the chapter and having a good idea where to go with future projects.”
The FFA students that received the Greenhand Degree included: Ashley Cosner, Dylan Evans, Sinead Evans, Dylan Jones, Chris Kitzmiller, Thomas McGinnis, Jamie Moreland, Emily Mulliken, Roger Paugh, Reed, Melanie Reynolds, and Shawn Spicer.
According to Sollars, the Greenhand Degree is the first of four recognitions, and to be eligible, the chapter members must know such information as the FFA creed, motto, mission statement, code of ethics, history of the organization, and proper use of the chapter’s jacket.
Receiving the Honorary Degree was Principal Judy for “being instrumental in getting the FFA Chapter here at Union School.”
Sollars also stated that three teams consisting of Union FFA members recently traveled to Morgantown to participate in related contests with other FFA Chapters from around the state.
Among the Union students who were part of the teams were: Sinead Evans, McGinnis, Mulliken, Reed, Reynolds, Megan Daughtery, and Matt McRobie.
They took part in judging both livestock and poultry, and agricultural mechanics.
Delegate Evans was able to secure $20,000 through the legislative process to be used to build a greenhouse at the Union Educational Complex.
The greenhouse will allow the FFA members to raise vegetable and flower plants to be sold to area residents.