| MAY 23, 2011 -- The halls were buzzing Saturday at Ledyard High School, as there was plenty to see, hear and and absorb during the day-long Connecticut State Future Farmers of America Convention.
The day featured agri-science exhibits and a career show that showcased several post-secondary schools that specialize in agricultural interests. It also showcased businesses throughout the state that employ FFA alumni and work with these unique programs in Connecticut.
After lunchtime, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Jr. stopped by to greet the students, parents and teachers attending the event, and to comment on the importance of agriculture to Connecticut.
Malloy said the industry contributes $3.5 billion dollars to the state's economy. He said he hopes the students will stay in the state and fill the 5,000 empty agricultural positions.
"Come back and be good citizens," said Malloy, who was joined at the convention by state Rep. Tom Reynolds, D-42nd. "Find a way to give back," he said.
The day included a silent auction to raise funds for Connecticut’s FFA programs, several important career development events for students as well as inspirational speeches from FFA officers and alumni.
Adorned proudly in their navy blue jackets with gold FFA insignias, students listened Connecticut FFA President (and Eureka Grange member) Victor Salazar questioned, “How will you make a difference?”
“FFA students go above and beyond to make an impact on others lives. They organize pet adoptions in their communities, become stewards of land and create walking trails, participate in community service activities and spend countless hours as volunteer firefighters and EMTs," Salazar said.
"Think about how you can give back. Whether it is to plant a community garden or just answering questions for others. Use the skills you possess to make a difference in someone else’s life,” he added.
Spirited compettion
It wasn’t only a day of learning for students, but a day of competing as well. There were outside tractor obstacle courses as well as agricultural marketing competitions, to name a few.
For the marketing competition, teams of students were challenged to research and come up with a marketing strategy for fictitious agricultural companies, such as Maple Syrup businesses or hay suppliers. The teams pitched their marketing and business plans to judges, via the use of public speaking, a computer presentation and factual research simulating a real life scenario.
Some teams interviewed current business owners to obtain their information and surveyed purveyors to get the answers they needed. Using terms such as industry trends, projections, supply and demand, net profit and uncontrollable determinants, students intelligently answered judge’s questions in regard to their presentations.
Those students in different categories of competitions that win at the state level will go on to compete at the National FFA Convention, which will be held in October.
A special honor
“It is certainly a privilege to host this event at our school,” said Ledyard High School agriscience teacher, Mark Grillo. “This is exciting for all of us. This is the best of the best in agricultural education and an opportunity for us to showcase our center. We feel honored.”
Freshman at Ledyard High School and Ledyard resident, Rachel Rowley- Aquitante is a horse owner and aspires to study to be a veterinarian technician and animal rehabilitator. She is a member of the FFA program and was chosen to be an alternate delegate at the day’s event.
After attending a program on agricultural fund raising she learned new strategies she will be implementing in the future. “I think it is really cool that this is being held at our school,” said Rowley-Aquitante. “I think this is a really good experience and I feel fortunate that this high school offers the FFA program here.”
The Connecticut FFA has been in existence since 1928. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. |
