Gallatin FFA placed 23rd out of 302 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 78th Missouri FFA Convention held in Columbia April 20-21. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year. Gallatin FFA advisors are Dennis Croy and Chris Henderson.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Gallatin FFA placed 23rd out of 302 chapters in the state, earning a Top Chapter Award at the 78th Missouri FFA Convention held in Columbia April 20-21. Only 10 percent of state chapters receive the Top Chapter Award each year. Gallatin FFA advisors are Dennis Croy and Chris Henderson.
Chapter activity awards, sponsored by Farm Credit Services, are given to chapters achieving excellence in student, chapter and community development.
Gallatin’s student development events included members taking part in the Lake Viking Kid’s Kamp for sight-impaired children. Members served as counselors and sponsored a petting zoo for the campers. In addition, Gallatin FFA members are encouraged to develop strong Supervised Agriculture Experience projects and apply for awards at the area, district and state levels.
Chapter development activities for Gallatin FFA included creating a junior FFA chapter for seventh and eighth grade students. In 2005, 75 young students joined the chapter. The chapter also was very active during National FFA Week with events such as official dress day, a teacher appreciation luncheon, businessman appreciation day, field trip for fifth and sixth grade and barnyards for local elementary schools and daycare centers.
Gallatin FFA also stays involved in community development. The chapter hosted the 5th annual Gallatin FFA Tractor Pull, which drew several hundred people to the community. The chapter participates in the Missouri adopt-a-highway program where members can learn the importance of keeping their community clean. The chapter members also donate toys, clothes and food to those in need at Christmas.
Top chapters are submitted to the National FFA Organization where they compete for the National FFA Chapter Award. The competition will be this fall at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.
;@center = Jessica Fifer recognized as State Star in Placement
After first being recognized as the Area 2 Star in Placement, the Missouri FFA Association recognized Jessica Fifer of the Gallatin FFA Chapter as the State Star in Placement at the convention. Her parents are Richard and Pamela Fifer of Hamilton.
Area Stars in Placement and State Stars in Placement are both selected based on outstanding achievement in work experience in an agricultural business as part of a student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and for active participation in FFA.
MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the13 Area Star in Placement awards and the State Star in Placement awards.
Jessica’s SAE program began with three dairy cows. She has expanded her project to include beef and forage. Her family operates "Fifer’s Heifer Hotel," which consists of developing dairy heifers for producers throughout Northwest Missouri. She spends many hours helping with the family operation. She is currently employed by KTTN radio in Trenton.
Jessica served as the chapter sentinel and chapter historian. She has participated in Missouri Public Speaking Academy. She has competed at state levels in Poultry, Dairy Foods and Floriculture Career Development events. Jessica was the area winner in Dairy Production Placement Proficiency award area in 2005. She has also attended Washington Leadership Conference, State Leadership Camp and various other state FFA leadership activities.
For the past two years, Jessica has served as a Student Council officer.
She also has been the school mascot, a Future Business Leaders of America member and participates in art club. She also is on the honor roll.
After high school graduation, Jessica plans to attend North Central Missouri College. She plans to receive a two-year degree in agriculture and transfer to a four-year college and pursue a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business.
;@center = Matthew Hostetler state winner for Mechanics Repair and Maintenance
Matthew Hostetler was named the state winner in the FFA Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement Proficiency Award at the convention.
Matt, a graduate of Gallatin High School, is the son of Billy Bob and Debbie Breeden.
As a member of the Gallatin FFA Chapter, Matt has participated in National and State FFA Convention Courtesy corps, State Leadership Camp and Advanced Leadership Development. Matt also has been named Division Champion FFA Agricultural Mechanics Project at the Missouri State Fair.
Matt began his Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) by helping with repairs around the family farm. He later began work for a local welding shop, beginning on small projects such as gates and livestock equipment. Later, Matt took on larger, more difficult repairs and also began constructing welding projects.
Matt’s ambition is to earn a degree in criminal justice and become a highway patrolman.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship is one of 51 proficiency awards presented at the state level. Ahrens Steel and Welding Supply of Columbia sponsors this award.
;@center = Erin Croy state winner of Combined Proficiency Award
Erin Leigh Croy was named the state winner of the FFA Agricultural Education Entrepreneurship and Placement Combined Proficiency Award at the convention.
Erin, a graduate of Gallatin R-V High School, is the daughter of Dennis and Sherri Croy. She is a freshman at the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in agricultural education.
Erin competed in numerous FFA Educational fundamental events, including giving public speeches, working with youth in Lion’s Club Kid’s Kamp for the sight impaired and with Students as Teachers.
She served as junior advisor for her Junior FFA Chapter, started an Ag in the Classroom program, planned and implemented chapter banquets and activities, and attended Public Speaking Camp and other leadership activities.
Erin has long been interested in agricultural educational. She found her career path through her father who also was her advisor. Erin feels her father has been an advantage helping her maintain great contacts and in being able to participate in many activities promoting leadership and education in the agricultural field.
Erin has worked hard at being organized, to plan ahead and to be fair and consistent. She feels these qualities have helped to her become skillful, competent, and knowledgeable for the education of agriculture to youth and others.
Agricultural Education Entrepreneurship and Placement Combined proficiency award involves preparation, practice, and training for individuals desiring to become agricultural education instructors. It is for students with Supervised Agricultural Experience programs related to education and extension, including, but not limited to: youth mentoring, agricultural education departmental assistants, Partners in Active Learning Support mentors and student coordinators, students developing and conducting informational materials and presentations for civic organizations and school aged youth, and students who are involved in SAEs surrounding educating the public about broad topics of agriculture, agricultural education and the FFA.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Agricultural Education Entrepreneurship and Placement Combined is one of 51 proficiency awards presented at state level. The Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association is sponsoring this award.
;@center = Hattie Rains recognized as Area 2 Star in Agribusiness
The Missouri FFA Association named Hattie rains as Area 2 Star in Agribusiness. She is the daughter of David and Julie Rains.
Area Star in Agribusiness is based on outstanding agribusiness activities as part of the student’s Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and FFA leadership activities. Area 2 covers 24 chapters in the Northwest District. MFA Inc., Columbia, sponsors the Area Star in Agribusiness awards.
Hatties’ SAEP began with 6 sows and 3 cows. Since that time she has increased her scope in livestock to include horses and goats. Hattie has marketed animals through her family’s business, Rains’ Natural Meats.
Hattie has served as her chapter’s president and reporter. She also is the Area 2 vice president. Rains placed 2nd in the state FFA Creed Contest and 4th in Division II Public Speaking. She also placed 3rd at the Missouri Public Speaking Academy. She has competed at the state level in the Poultry, Dairy Cattle and Agriculture Sales Career Development events. She also has been the area winner in both beginning and complete records. Rains was the state winner in the Food Science Proficiency award area in 2005. She has attended the Washington Leadership Conference and was a member of the 2004 Missouri Agribusiness Academy.
After high school graduation, Hattie plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, and major in agricultural business.
;@center = Hattie Rains wins Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency Award
Hattie Rains was also named the state winner of the FFA Agricultural Processing Entrepreneurship/Placement Proficiency Award at the convention.
More than eight years ago the Rains family started a value-added natural meat market. Rains Natural Meats sells their own farm-grown animals and is a USDA inspected market. Rains’ jobs are divided into three main areas in the store. In retail, her duties require her to answer the phone and take harvesting directions. Other duties include handling money and operating the cash register. She also weighs and prices meat packages and checks the temperature of coolers and freezers. Rains’ most important duty is answering customer questions asked by customers
Rains processing duties include preparing meat for packaging, slicing meat, or even sharpening knives. She also is responsible for cleaning the entire processing area and sanitizing to meet USDA inspection standards. She has seasonal responsibilities including deer season duties.
As a member of the Gallatin FFA Chapter, Rains activities include participating in the National FFA Convention, National FFA Convention Courtesy Corps., Washington Leadership Conference, State FFA Public Speaking Academy, Missouri Agribusiness Academy, was a National Livestock Show Exhibitor in FFA Division, a National 1st place winner for National Food Science Proficiency, and State Creed Speaking qualifier.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experiences. Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/Placement is one of 51 proficiency awards presented at state level. The MO AG Industries Council sponsors this award.
;@headline = Riley Rains receives second place proficiency award Food Science and Technology Entrepreneurship and Placement
Riley Rains was named the second place winner of the Food Science and Technology Proficiency Award at the 78th Missouri State FFA Convention. Riley, a junior at Gallatin High School, is the son of David and Julie Rains.
With his FFA chapter, Riley attended the State FFA Convention in 2005 and was a member of the courtesy corps. He also won the Diversified Livestock Placement Proficiency Award that year. Rains attended the Missouri Agribusiness Academy in 2005. In 2004 he attended the National FFA Convention and was a member of the courtesy corps. He also took part in State FFA Camp Rising Sun.
Outside of FFA Riley is a member of the National and Missouri Tamworth Association, 4-H Club, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Primo Aces Program and the Gallatin Saddle Club. In high school sports he lettered in football, wrestling and track.
Riley began his interest in food science on his family farm where they raise cattle, goats and swine. He began working in the meat processing room of his family business Rains Natural Meats. He has learned valuable lessons in handling meats from its initial cutting to packaging to marketing. He also helps with customer service. Riley said he is fortunate to witness the production process of meats from the pen to the plate.
After high school Riley plans to attend a four-year institution to obtain a business degree.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Food Science and Technology is one of 51 proficiency awards awarded at the state level.
The Food Science and Technology Proficiency Award is sponsored by the Missouri FFA Association.
;@headline = Alisa Wilson places third in State FFA Creed Speaking
The Missouri FFA Association awarded Alisa Wilson third place in the FFA Creed Speaking Career Development Event. Fourteen individuals from six districts were selected to compete at the state level. She is the daughter of Jerry and Michelle Wilson of Altamont.
MFA Inc. sponsors the competition requiring contestants to recite the FFA creed. Speakers are then asked to answer a series of questions based on their interpretation of the creed. A panel of judges determines each participant’s score. FFA members gain self-confidence, presentation skills, poise and sharpen their ability to think quickly as they participate in the activity.
The Missouri FFA Association has more than 23,000 members. More than 7,000 FFA members and guests attended the 78th Missouri FFA Convention held April 20-21 in Columbia. FFA strives 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.