Paynesville Area FFA Alumni: Past Activities
Plot Day
Over 300 high/middle school students and community members enjoyed the bright sunshine, a walk through the plot, and a brat Tuesday, September 15th at the 4th Annual FFA and Alumni Plot Day.
Seed representatives were on site to give tours of the plot and to talk with students about the different educational values a test plot offers. Other displays on exhibit included: an automatic steering system, a presentation about the ethanol industry, the FFA parade float, an antique tractor next to a tractor of today, and the irrigation gun with its new hose and motor.
Thanks to all who helped make this day such a success and those who came out to share the gorgeous day with us! We are always in search of input on how we can improve and new ideas for displays. If you have any suggestions, please let us know!
Spring Tour:
We had planned to begin the day with a tour of Gluek Brewing Company in Cold Spring. Unfortunately, the flu season left them short–handed and this tour was cancelled. We were still able to take a tour of Granite Tops manufacturing facilities of in Rockville. This was followed by a lunch at Marnanteli’s Pizza. After filling up with pizza, we completed the day by delivering toy barns to St. Boniface Kindergarten Classes. These farm sets, donated by our FFA Alumni Chapter, were fully stocked for educational and recreational purposes.
Paynesville Expo:
The FFA alumni participated along with the FFA in the Paynesville Expo on March 21st. The alumni provided funding to the FFA to purchase door prizes from local businesses in addition to other supplies required such as buttons, balloons, candy, etc. We would like to thank Mike of Midwest Machinery for donating the entry fee for the booth. We had alumni representatives present to answer questions and promote our organization. Through these efforts, we have acquired several new members.
The Test Plot
New this year, we conducted a seed population experiment and intensified the fertilizer and management to raise the potential for yields to challenge the top yields of corn and beans. With the profits from last year, the alumni, in cooperation with the FFA, have updated the irrigation system. The traveling gun has received a new hose and a new Honda motor, which will hopefully start every time with only one or two pulls.
Another change to the plot this year is that a four member team from the FFA have volunteered to be involved with the planning, operation, and management of the plot. They are Matt Lenzmeier, Brandon Ley, Aaron Zenner, and Dan Zenner.
Feel welcome throughout the growing season to walk into the test plot to witness first hand what the Alumni and FFA have been up to.
At Paynesville Elementary School:
We donated three toy barns to the elementary school during the 2007-2008 school year. The FFA Alumni has contacted these teachers and replenished the barns of any missing or broken pieces to keep the sets fully maintained.
We have donated milk three times to the Multiage and First grade classes. As a part of their FISH program, FFA members delivered the donated milk to the classes. The past two years, the FFA Alumni has delivered the milk to accommodate the classroom Christmas parties.
Building the Gates:
With the ever increasing activity of the FFA group there came a need to have their own inventory of display gates for all of the events where they have baby animals. The FFA came to the Alumni with a request to cost share a set of custom designed gates. Through the combined effort of a team of FFA and Alumni members, they came up with a design and a plan to build an assortment of gates ranging from 4’ to 10’ in length including a walk through gate. We are presently working on a custom made trailer to accommodate these gates for easy transportation and storage.
If you have any questions feel free to contact an alumni member or FFA member.