Wynford FFA news

Farm safety

The Crawford County FFA chapters are teaming together to raise awareness about farm safety. They are distributing farm safety products to Crawford county farmers at cost.

One of these products is the SMV sign that is required on farm equipment traveling at less than 25 miles per hour. The sign must be visible at least 500 feet to the rear. Traffic studies show that two out of three highway accidents involving slow moving vehicles are rear end collisions and that 90 percent of these accidents occurred during daylight hours. The use of the sign reduces accidents and saves lives. SMV signs in poor condition provide little or no protection in traffic. SMV decals are $4, plastic SMV signs are $6, metal are $11.25 and metal SMV brackets are $7.95.

Ohio law also requires flashing lights one half hour before sunrise and after sunset on all tractors. Magnetic flashing amber LED lights can be seen for over one mile. Two magnetic flashing amber LED lights cost $43.15.

Reflective tape is also important. Reflective tape kits are available for $7.50. The kit includes six yellow, two red and two orange tape strips. SMV kits are also available for $11 which include one SMV, six yellow, two red and two orange tape strips.

Farmers need to be informed of the new changes in Ohio's legislation regarding the speed identification symbol for high-speed agricultural equipment. It is primarily directed at identifying farm machinery that has been designed in its original equipment configuration for specified ground speeds greater than 25 m.p.h. The FFA is selling these signs for $7.95.

The FFA chapters want to keep farmers safe on Ohio roads this year. If you would like to order, contact your local FFA chapter. Wynford -- 419-562-3056 ext. 228, daiber. tom@pctc.k12.oh.us; Buckeye Central -- 419-563-5138, Tpope@buckeye-central.org; and Colonel Crawford -- 419-562-6755, betti.Krista@pctc. k12.oh.us.

2008 Wynford

FFA Banquet

The Wynford FFA Chapter held its 45th annual parent-member banquet on April 8 at Wynford High School. This banquet was held to celebrate the FFA's past years' events and activities and to recognize each member. Jason Hartscuh and Tyler Miller were the toastmasters. Donielle Crall gave the invocation before the potluck meal. Door prizes were donated by area businesses and were given out.

The awards part of the banquet was kicked off by the 2007-2008 officer team performing opening ceremonies. Members Allison Hartscuh and Mandy Cooper introduced the various guests of the night.

Each Ag class was recognized and received an award. In Ag I, all members received their Green Hand degree. In each class, special awards were given out such as Best Notebook, Best Record Books, Best G.P.A. and Best Shop Project.

The Best Record Books Award went to Josh Baker. The Best GPA Award went to Curtis Teters and the Best Notebook Award went to Jon Moyer. The Best Shop Project went to Kale McGinnis.

In Ag II, each member received their Chapter degree. The Best Record Books Award went to Missi Hoffman. Karla Kirgis received the Best Notebook Award. The best GPA went to Jordan Bailey and the Best Shop Project to Mykle Schwemley.

In Ag III, the Best Record Books Award went to Mandy Cooper, the Best Notebook went to Donielle Crall and the Best GPA Award went to Zach Christman.

In Ag IV, the Best GPA and Record Books awards went to Jason Hartschuh and the Best Notebook Award went to Jennifer Miller.

Lyndsey Murphy, Ohio FFA sentinel was the speaker of the night. Special awards were given such as the Citrus Salesmen Award. The top five sellers were Jordan Bailey, Jennifer Miller, Brandon Kocher, Jason Hartschuh, and Allison Hartschuh. Office Assistant awards were given out to those students who came down in their free time to help out in the Ag office. They were Kendra Miracle, Jason Hartschuh, Jennifer Miller, and Tiffany Eachers. Shop assistants were also recognized: Dustin Tate, Allison Hartschuh, Corey Cole, Mykle Schwemley and Jason Hartschuh.

This year's Honorary Degree recipients were Steve Reinhard, Allen and Diane Hartschuh. An honorary degree recipient is someone who has helped the chapter out immensely and given their time and effort to the chapter.

Steve Reinhard has helped the chapter out by giving money to the chapter to eat out with at state convention, has bought the seed for the FFA's field and has came and talked at meetings on short notice.

Allen and Diane Hartschuh have supplied the FFA with various pieces of equipment for the FFA field, donated animals for the small animal tent at the fair, helped out at several soil judging contests and ran the general livestock contest.

Student teacher Miss Marybeth Fulk was recognized for all of her hard work as a student teacher.

Star awards were also presented. The Star Green Hand Award is given out to a first year member who has participated in the most activities and demonstrated excellent leadership skills. Curtis Teters received this award. He is the son of Henry and Michele Teters. He has participated in soil judging, parly pro, barbecues and his favorite activity was collecting maple syrup in the Royal woods.

The Star-Agribusinessman Award went to Tyler Miller. Tyler is the son of Fred and Carol Miller. The Star-Agribusinessman is given to a member who has filled out their state degree and has an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program. Tyler is in the top two in the state for the Emerging Ag Technology Proficiency Award.

The Star Chapter Farmer went to Jason Hartschuh. Jason is the son of Allen and Diane Hartschuh. He also received the Dekalb award which is based on community involvement, leadership and scholarship. Jason is in the top two in the state in the dairy production and diversified Ag production proficiency award area. Jason also received the Bils-Frombaugh Scholarship.

Jennifer Miller was the recipient of the Ag Credit 110 Percent Award. Jennifer is the daughter of Jeff and Debbie Miller. This award is given to a senior who has gone above and beyond the requirements and has demonstrated excellent leadership skills. Jennifer has been a gold-rated reporter for two years and is a guest columnist for the Telegraph-Forum.

A slideshow made by member Jennifer Miller and Samantha May was presented showcasing pictures from the year's events.

For the first time, a pie auction was held to raise money for the Bils-Frombaugh Scholarship fund. The Bils-Frombaugh Scholarship fund was started in memory of Joe Frombaugh and Dave Bils who both died in a pond accident. Each officer baked a pie and it was auctioned off by Tommy Brause. The pie auction was a huge success and raised $820 for the scholarship fund.

Congratulations to the Wynford FFA for a great and enjoyable banquet. A big thank you goes out to all of the people that made the banquet so successful and possible.