Teachers Updates

Intro to Ag/Earth Science is currently covering our first public speaking contest, Opening and Closing ceremonies. You student
should be working on memorizing their part and they will be delivering it in class. Our competition is Nov. 13th at West Valley. We will be
learning about the history of FFA and preparing for our B.I.G. test another completion on Nov. 13th. Nov. will be a Greenhand celebration
month for all fist year FFA members. Our science component currently is the periodic table, elements, rocks, and minerals. We will also be
doing community service science with the following project: RCD Salmon Surveying along the Scott River. We are currently collecting data
on Salmon along the Scott River. This is open to all FFA members to collect hands-on science data for our local annual fisheries report.
Ag Biology is currently covering cells, photosynthesis, respiration, and transportation within the cells. Concepts are followed up
with hands-on labs such as osmosis with an egg and diffusion with plastic baggies. We will also be doing community service science with
the following projects: plant science restoration at Greenhorn Park and RCD Salmon Surveying along the Scott River. We are currently
collecting data on Salmon along the Scott River. This is open to all FFA members to collect hands-on science data for our local annual
fisheries report.
ROP Ag Business students are currently studying different types of businesses and cooperatives (co-op). They are preparing for
the Co-op test a completion Nov. 13th at West Valley.
Shortly, students will start studying the stock market and begin investing on a virtual game call the Stock Market Game (a State
wide competition). All on track ag students earn their State Degree during this course.
ROP Natural Resources students just finished up a Plant Classification Unit, which included a Weed Book Project. The next unit is
Fisheries. The hands-on component will be Salmon surveying on Scott River with the RCDs Mr. Morris.
ROP Forestry and Horticulture students just finished up a Plant Classification Unit, which included a Weed Book Project. The next
unit pruning so we can maintain our rose bushes and apple orchard. Unfortunately, we had no apples this year due to the frost. Shortly
following this unit we will start our floral unit for the holiday season. The hands-on component will be Thanksgiving and Christmas
centerpieces. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested so we order accordingly.
Intro to Ag Mechanics & ROP Ag Mechanics are finishing electrical and moving into welding and small engines. ROP AG Mechanics
will be working on construction projects before the weather turns cold.
ROP Ag Wood is currently working on turkey calls, bowl projects, cutting boards, small decorative boxes, and step stools.
Community projects are always welcome and help stretch the budget while increasing student experiences.
Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant
Etna FFA is always looking for an opportunity to improve its program and create a better learning environment for its members.
Recently the Etna FFA came across a wonderful chance to do just that. In February of 2013 the club applied for the Lowes Toolbox
Educational Grant. The grant is provided by Lowes and is worth five thousand dollars. Qualifications include being recognized as part of a
k-12 school or non-profit organization, completing a project within one year that will benefit the community, and being able to complete
evaluations throughout the year. Seeing as Etna FFA met all of the qualifications they were awarded the grant and plan on starting their
project very soon.
The club plans on constructing a new storage shed, shade facility, and irrigation system, as well as purchasing rootstock that will
be planted. The new storage shed will provide a cleaner, safer environment for students and allow less visually desirable tools to be hidden
from view. The shade facility will be a great addition to the clubs greenhouse because it will allow the plants to be taken out of the
greenhouse during hot months of the summer. They will be allowed to harden off so they will be ready for community gardens and
landscapes. This will also allow the agriculture department to save energy because the greenhouse will not have to be ran all year round.
The irrigation system will be installed along with the new rootstock and will allow the club to grow crops more efficiently. After the
completion of the project students will be able to gain realistic production based career experience and supply the school and community
with fruit, vegetables, and other ornamental plants.
Receiving the Lowes Toolbox Educational Grant has been a very honorable experience for the Etna FFA and they are so grateful to
Lowes for providing them with such an amazing opportunity. The FFA cannot wait to start its project and start benefiting the school and
community.

Chapter Officers
2013-2014
President:
Roxanne Hanna
Vice President:
Savannah Postma
Secretary:
Emma Morris
Treasurer:
Angela Rickey
Reporter:
Colton Dickinson
Sentinel:
Jennifer Apland
Historian:
Hayley Kae
Community Chair:
Abby Whipple
Assistant Advisor:
Britton Brophy
Advisors:
Mr. Jacob Hargett
Mrs. Kellie Hargett

ETNA FFA NEWSLETTER
P.O. Box 721, Etna, CA 96027 Phone: 530-467-3244 Ext. 37 Fax: 530-467-5763 Website: etnaffa.weebly.com
Upcoming Events
School-wide Canned Food Drive. Starting November 4
th

Though November.
Veterans Day Parade. Saturday Nov. 9th
Shasta Section Opening & Closing, BIG, Coop, &
Recodbook Test. November 13
th
.
November FFA Meeting. Please make sure all Freshman
are in attendance November 20
th
.
Lamb Dinner. December 13
th
.

The Shasta Forestry Challenge
On September 25th-28th members Rebecca
Bingham and Brianna Rightmeyer, and teacher Kellie
Hargett packed up their bags and headed out to
Mountain Meadows Camp in Shingletown California to
compete in the Shasta Forestry Challenge. The Shasta
Forestry Challenge is a competition for teams of 2-5
members where the teams are introduced to new
concepts about forestry; they participate in hands on
activities and work with knowledgeable and well trained
foresters who teach them tons about forestry. Towards
the end of the four day trip each team is judged on a
presentation that they must give in front of numerous
judges and all of the other teams; whoever gives the best
presentation takes home the first place trophy.
While Etna wasnt able to walk away with the
first place trophy this year, the trip proved very beneficial
for the members. It was a chance to explore the forestry
career path and get a real life feel for what the job is like.
Bingham described the experience as intense and
educational. The Foresters were constantly spitting out
new information and you really had to pay attention if
you wanted to catch all of it. We were there to learn and
there really wasnt any time to mess around. Im so
happy that I went because it really gave me a feel for
what its like to be a forester and helped me choose my
career path. The competition sparked new interest in a
possible Etna FFA Forestry team which could serve as
great opportunity for freshman such as Rightmeyer.
The Etna FFA plans on attending the
competition again next year but hopes that it will be able
to bring along at least five members. If any member is
interested in participating next year please contact Kellie
Hargett .
Historical School House Plaque Project
Over the years Scott Valley has been the home to
numerous school houses, many that still stand today. By
teaming up with the Native Daughters of the Golden West,
the Etna FFA was able to help produce and install
permanent historical plaques at 22 old school house
locations across Scott Valley. The idea was brought to the
club by Jim Isbell who saw the opportunity as a great way to
give back to the community. The Club has been working on
constructing and painting the posts since the 2012-2013
school year, while the Native Daughters planned and
purchased the plaques. All materials were paid for through
a grant obtained by the Native Daughters of the Golden
West.
FFA members Kyle Smith, Morgan Bahen, Jack
Hurlimann, and Hayden Kaae all volunteered their weekend
to help install the plaques. The Project was lead by
members of the Native Daughters of the Golden West along
with Mr. Jacob Hargett and Mr. Jim Isbell. Installment was a
two day project that consisted of driving to the 22 different
school house locations, drilling holes, and installing the post
with plaques. The members described the experience as,
educational and interesting, and Kyle Smith quoted, I
had no idea that there were so many old school houses in
Scott Valley and I think its really cool that we got to help
make the historical sites identifiable to the community. It
was a great learning experience for everybody involved.
The Etna FFA hopes that members of the
community will take the time to visit some of the historical
sites and embrace some of the history of Scott Valley.
Seeing the school houses is an educational experience as
well as an opportunity to explore new territory thats just
outside our doors. To download a map of the school houses
please visit our website.
Brianna Rightmeyer, Kellie Hargett, and Rebecca
Bingham pose for a picture during a break.
FFA members pose for a picture with their newly
installed plaque.