Washington FFA Chapter Land Laboratory October meeting minutes

By Washington FFA Chapter Reporter, Ellie Bell

The Washington FFA Chapter Land Laboratory had their annual Field Day at the Washington High School Agriculture Shop on Friday, Oct. 12. This event was to showcase the Washington FFA Land Laboratory's learning experiences and the population trial done in part by the Iowa Soybean Association. All 12 Land Lab members were present to talk about what they liked most about the year and what they learned through their experience. Washington FFA Land Laboratory members are Ellie Bell, Sophie Bell, Wyatt Stout, David Hora, Leah Evans, Noah Kleese, Ava Reed, Madison Fishback, Olivia Marek, Demeri Bell, Roy Carter and Alex Guzman with adviser, Trent Steinhart. They had approximately 20 plus guests in attendance. Lunch was served and a huge thank you goes out to parent Tom Evans for grilling the pork burgers and to parent Kerri Bell for making the desserts. This event was a huge success even though the weather didn't cooperate to host at the trial field plot. Stay tuned for details for next year's event.

The Linn-Mar FFA Livestock Judging Event is held at the Equine Center at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids each year. This event is for ninth-and 10th grade FFA members. This event is to teach younger students how to judge livestock and give them experience, but at the same time still is participate in a competition. Washington FFA Chapter members who competed on Oct. 9 in this competition were Caden Evans, Hunter Shultz, Haylie Trowbridge, Bryson Snyder and Garrett Conway. Congratulations to Haylie Trowbridge for receiving 3rd overall in sheep judging and congratulations to Caden Evans for receiving 53 overall out of 279 students.

The Washington FFA Chapter had four members competing in the Southeast Iowa District FFA Soil Judging Contest on September 26. Members had two portions to complete for this contest. The first portion was the written exam held at Muscatine Community College. The second portion was held on land just outside of Muscatine. The Soils Judging Team judged four different pits of soil. Washington FFA Chapter members placed very well. Individually member Sophie Bell placed 14th, member Steven Graham placed 17th, member Ellie Bell placed 39th, and member Riley Lambert placed 44th. As a team the Washington FFA Chapter placed 6th overall. Earning this rating they were alternate to the Iowa FFA Soil Judging Competition. Washington FFA Chapter had a great day competing at the Southeast Iowa District FFA Soil Judging Contest in Muscatine.

The Washington FFA Chapter has been getting geared up and ready for a busy fall, winter and spring with many Career Development events, which includes sub-district and district FFA Conventions. Those events are not possible without Sub-District Ambassadors. This October the chapter named Bryson Snyder Member of Merit. He was named a South-Sub-District Ambassador for Washington recently and also competed in the Linn-Mar Livestock Judging Competition at Kirkwood Community College. Bryson Snyder is a freshman of the Washington FFA Chapter. Congratulations, Bryson, on being named the October Member of Merit.

The Washington FFA Chapter is holding a Children's Toy, Clothing, Monetary Donation Drive that kicked off on Nov. 2 and will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 14. The drive is for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse. This organization collects shoe boxes each November to send to children in third-world countries and poverty stricken areas around the world. Students will be collecting donations for kids aged infants up to 15-year-olds. These donations will consist of stuffed animals, toothbrushes, hair combs/brushes, socks, clothing, pencils, paper, coloring books, that would fit inside the size of a shoe box and monetary donations for the cost of sending the boxes. Anyone interested in donating can drop off gifts at one of the following locations: Stewart Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Washington Middle School, Washington High School, and the Washington County 4-H/Extension Office. All of your donations matter. A simple gift can make a child's Christmas this December.