FFA students take part in leadership programs

This past month, the Minot FFA has participated in numerous activities including PALS, or Partners in Active Learning Support and fruit and meats sales.

Partners in Active Learning Support is a program where members of the FFA chapter go to the local elementary schools and teach the younger students about something that is agriculture-related. This year the Minot FFA went to Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Washington, McKinley, Longfellow, Roosevelt and Sunnyside elementary schools and taught the children about soil, terrariums, the water cycle and stem cutting. At each of the stations, the members of the chapter interacted with the children and taught them about their prospective topics. This program is very important to the FFA and we fight every year to keep it alive.

In January, many chapter members will be traveling to Bismarck for the North Dakota Winter Leadership Conferences, which are the Greenhand Convention, Made For Excellence, and Advanced Leadership Development. Greenhand Convention is for first-year, or Greenhand, FFA members. The North Dakota State Officer team organizes and controls this conference. The young members are taught basic leadership skills and how to grow as members in their chapter. They are also taught about things such as the importance of proper official dress and being part of a team. Made for Excellence is for middle-level members of the FFA. At this conference, these members learn how to excel as leaders in their chapter and become good role models for younger members. Advanced Leadership Development is for upper-level FFA members. This is where the members learn to take the leadership skills they've gained and carry them throughout their lives as they go into college and get their jobs in life. Members always have a great time at these conferences and never leave without a smile.

This month, the Minot FFA Chapter also participated in the fall fundraiser, which is the fruit and meat sales. The name gives away its main purpose, which is selling boxes of fruit and Meyers' Meats products. Leah VanTilborg is the top seller with upward of $4,000 of products sold. Members get a commission of their sales and rewards for the top three sellers.

I strongly encourage parents to get their children involved in the FFA program. It provides a strong foundation for the remainder of their lives with leadership and confidence.