FFA receives approval to attend Nationals

The FFA presented a request to the school board at their June meeting. Justin Thornley, FFA advisor played a video detailing what the FFA students do. FFA educates people on where their food and products come from and is leading the way in technological advancements. Thornley said FFA is one of the largest organizations with chapters across the United States. In Utah there are 86 chapters with 7,000 members. Nationwide membership exceeds 600,000. At Emery High the membership is 155. Thornley said at the state contests they compete against big chapters, but they have done very well. Their team took second in parliamentary procedure. Seven members were on that team. They know how to use parliamentary law correctly.
He said the ninth graders this year were able to take an early bird FFA class.  The ninth grade members placed third at their competition. Riata Christiansen placed second with her record keeping project. She also is competing in Indianapolis with her prepared public speaking.
 McKayla Jensen was third runner-up in the Star farmer, she had the third best project in the state. The milk quality and products team did a great job. They are seeking permission from the board to go to the national contest in October.
These students take a test, test milk, problem solve questions on packaging and processing of milk products and they take math tests.
They learn to tell which products contain what percentage of fat and put the products in order. They learn to distinguish the different types of cheese products. They learn to decipher the different milk defects including rancid, sour, oxidized, bitter and watery.
The students said they have learned many things in FFA which will help them in their life. The public speaking will be useful for job interviews in the future. Thornley presented a cost analysis to the board for the trip. He said the students will fundraise to help with costs. The estimate is $400 per student. He said they will also apply for funds from the state legislature.
The convention will be in Indianapolis, Ind. So far Thornley is the only chaperone going with one boy and four girls in the group. He will be staying with the other Ag teachers. The board approved the FFA to attend the nationals.
The FFA students brought some cheese for the board members to taste and to take the test to see if they could identify the cheese product. The board members and the audience participated in the taste test.