1

District Soil Judging this year was comprised of the evaluation

of 4 pits near Muscatine, Iowa.

It also included a test assessing

the understanding of the process.

The Pits. Contestants

had to rate the pits’ farming

capabilities, as well as estimate

its ability to hold a foundation

for buildings. Also, the ground’s

slope came into play, hinting to

soil judgers that a particular spot

was either prime soil or second

rate.

The contestants this year were asked to judge the following:

- The slope of the ground over 100 feet

- The composition of the soil (e.g. clay and sand content)

- The presence of rocks or mottles

- The drainage capabilities of the pit

- The source of the soil (e.g. wind, glaciers, water, etc.)

- Recommendations for what the soil is best used for

Their evaluation abilities were rated by overall score, with the

points being distributed as follows:

- 4- 35 point pit-judging scorecards

- 1- 40 point general test

- For a total of 180 points possible

However, while individual honors were given, it was cumulative

team score that was official. By that, each team had potential to score

720 points. This year, 148 FFA members from 42 different chapters

were in attendance.

See you judgers next year! by: Matt Foley

@SE_District

Important Dates: 212 Conference

January 7

Iowa Alumni Conference

January 21

Officer Interview Prep Night

TBA

District Review Night and

Nomination Committee

TBA

Northeast Sub-Districts

February 20

South Sub-Districts

February 20

Northwest Sub-Districts

February 21

District Convention

March 3

Table of Contents Soils Judging –p.1

SLCDO –p.2

Greenhand Fire-Up –p.2-3

Chapter Visits –p.3-4

National Convention –p.4-5

Meet the Officer –p.5

Chapter Up-Dates –p.6-11

Southeast Stream 2011 November Issue

Soils Judging

2

What is SLCDO? Well,

it is an acronym for State

Leadership Conference for

District Officers. On September

26-27, 2011, District officers

representing each the six

districts of Iowa gathered at the

Iowa FFA Enrichment Center

Building on the DMACC

Campus. This conference is

held twice during the year, once

in the spring and once in the

fall. The purpose of SLCDO is

to train district officers from

across the state to fulfill their

duties and responsibilities as a

district leader. Officers arrived

at the Enrichment Center

around 6:00 p.m. on Monday

evening. Some of the

highlights of the first day of

SLCDO were learning about

chapter visits, participating in

team-building activities, hearing

from some of Iowa FFA’s

major sponsors, reading letters

we had written to ourselves

during the previous conference,

attending workshops led by

state officers, and

of course, reuniting with our

friends from across the state.

On the second day of SLCDO,

we focused more on preparing

ourselves for the upcoming

Greenhand Fireup

that each district

would be holding.

Between district

break-out sessions

and actually

presenting our

curriculum, we had

quite the busy

morning. Upon the

closing of this

conference, the

team felt prepared

for GFU. Each

member had only good remarks

on their experience at the State

Leadership Conference for

District Officers and we hope to

make the most of the rest of the

year. by: Sarah Striegel

GFU--it stands for Greenhand Fire up, an event which over 250 FFA members attended this year on

November 2, at Mid Prairie High School. Many of these students were either discovery members, high school

freshmen, or other first-year FFA members from 22 chapters from across the Southeast District. After opening

ceremonies, students were divided into groups, then took part in an "ice-breaker." The individual groups came

up with a group name and learned a little about the other students in the group. After this, students attended the

following sessions taught by state and/or district officers: SAE, CDE, Ag Issues, and FFA Opportunities.

SLCDO

Greenhand Fire-Up

3

*During the SAE session, students discovered what SAE stood for and the four different types of SAEs.

Students learned about different ideas for their own SAE.

*In CDE, students learned what CDE stood

for and the difference between Leadership and

Skills Career Development events. Students

sampled a few of both types of CDE's.

*Ag Issues discussed the different issues

within the ag world. After watching a short movie,

students brainstormed other issues no discussed in

the movie, and ways they could make an impact on

these issues.

*FFA Opportunities familiarized students

with different conventions and activities that they

could get involved with as an FFA member at the

chapter, state, and national level.

Students who attended GFU were served supper donated by Subway, however, this was not their

favorite part about Greenhand Fire up. Many students expressed that their favorite part was learning about

something they didn't already know, or rather than sitting in a desk the entire time, taking part in game-like-

activities to help them learn hands on.

"I never thought I could have so much fun while learning" one student told District officers. Greenhand

Fire up has made an impact on over 250 members this year so they can impact FFA and Agriculture in the

future.

--Holly A. Morrison

There are over 12,500 active FFA members in

the state of Iowa, but there are only 9 State Officers.

How then are these State Officers supposed to impact all

of these members? Well here’s your answer. Chapter

Visits! A chapter visit is a great opportunity for a

member to ask questions and learn from their State and

District Officers. The District Officers are also given

the opportunity to go on these chapter visits to share

their FFA experience, and to meet the members that

they represent. It’s a great experience, for both the

members and the Officers, to meet new people and learn

new things.

Chapter Visits

4

During these Visits the Officers will visit an Ag department for a few class periods. They will perform

works shops with the students that improve their leadership, communication, and team-work skills. These fun,

interactive workshops are what spark interest in the young FFA members mind. One of the Officers main

objective is to help open the students minds to what they can accomplish themselves. It is the student’s job to

listen, and it is the State and District officers job to present, But now it’s up to you, Advisors, to schedule theses

visits. It is very appreciated to let us come into your class rooms for a day but it is only for the benefit of the

students that we do theses visits. For more information about Chapter visits or to schedule your own Visit

please contact the SE state President, Patrick Diedrich. pdiedrich@iowaffa.com by: Eric Weirup

There is no site better then the sea of

blue that took over Indianapolis, Indiana on

October 19-22. For those who are not

familiar with the corduroy blue jackets may

be puzzled by the 55,000 members in one

city at one time. FFA does not go unnoticed

during this week it is more than just the

numbers

that strike

the

residents,

but it is the

kindness

and respect

that the

members

have toward

them. Kind

jesters like

opening a

door or allowing them in front of them in

line. The journey begins as you make your

way through downtown Indianapolis to

Conseco field house for the first session of

the 84th National Convention. You make

your way through the crowds of blue and

city life, as you approach the cross walk the

well-known “ehhhhh!” will ripple through

the streets as the FFA members great each

other. As you near Conseco Field house you

will spot the huge banners welcoming the

FFA members to “Your Convention”. Once

inside the stadium you look amongst the

sections and become overwhelmed by the

55,000 FFA members and crazy energy

from all of them.

The excitement

begins to build

during the pre-

session filled with

loud music

dancing and the

occasional

“ehhhhhhh!” that

ripples through the

stadium. The

session begins

with a laser show

with red and green lights amongst the

audience to the fast beats of a song, while

the show is going on people on the floor

form two tunnels for the National Officers to

run though. The countdown then begins,

everyone starts yelling out the numbers at

the top of their lungs and they appear! The

National FFA Convention

5

National Officers run through the tunnels to

the stage and take their positions for opening

ceremonies which is flawless in

performance with prefect posture and voice

clarity. As the session begins the members

begin to simmer down as the session comes

to a start, with random out burst of energy to

cheer on people, receiving awards,

presenting, performing national talent,

national band and choir. The keynote

speakers will leave you in awe, speechless,

and contemplating in thought is near

indescribable the affect it has on everyone in

the room. As the session comes to the close

all 55,000 members work their way out of

Conseco field house many will work their

way through the city blocks to the career fair

to learn more about colleges and possible

job out looks for them. While at the career

fair members can enter welding contest to

win a new welding helmet, pick up

scholarship information, play fun games

such as pedal tractor racing and of course

register to will a 2012 ford truck!

Throughout the few days at National FFA

Convention you will have conversations

with thousands of people from accost the

country. The blue jackets worn by us, the

members are what really brings us together

and allow us to make new friends and

develop new experience. We are all bound

together by one common interest; FFA and

that is most obvious during the National

FFA Convention. by: Heidi Andresen

NAME: Matt Foley Office -Treasurer SAE Program- Corn Genetics Other FFA Activities- Soil Judging Hobbies and Interests- Sports, Outdoors, Squirrel hunting, and being taller than the rest of my team Favorite Movie- Tommy Boy Favorite Quote- "If you want to change the world, you can't try what's already been done"

Name: Erin Weirup SAE PROGRAMS: Ag Placement OTHER FFA ACTIVITYS: Floriculture ,State Talent, and WLC HOBBY'S/INTERISTS: I Enjoy running, fishing, anything artistic, writing poems and writing in general. love eating contests, Dancing, and teasing Matt Foley. FAVORITE MOVIE: I can’t decide between The Notebook and The Italian Job Favorite Quote: “live the life you want to live. Be the person you want to remember. Make decisions. Make mistakes. and if you fall trying get back up, brush yourself off, and act like nobody saw you fall”

Meet the Officer

6

Soil and Crops Conservations As students go through their years as an Ag student in the Eddyville-Blakesburg School District, one

thing stands the test of time, making soil conservation models in Mr. Powers’ Soils and Crops class. It is a

ritual unlike any other. Students have been given the knowledge about one of our greatest resources, the soil, in

the judging curriculum. Mr. Powers tries to get the kids to understand that the land they live on they really

don’t own it, they are borrowing it for the time they are on the Earth. He is in his 29th year of teaching

agricultural courses at Eddyville-Blakesburg. He

does the job as instructor to show the students

what type of soil conservations are best for the

terrain it is on. The models of the conservations

are usually of intricate works of kid’s ideas on

how they see an ideal set up for conservation

practices to occur. Normally the base substance is

a plain piece of wood board. From there they

have the choice to bring items that are toy

machinery and etc. This can make the model look

more lifelike as a farm or mechanical homes.

The students go out get seeds, soil, plants

and use devices or products that make it look like water or hold water in. Some of the conservation practices

include building terraces, ponds, cross water ways, and buffer strips. This is an activity that Mr. Powers has

enjoyed seeing the kids develop. It is a good hands on activity for the students to utilize their skills that they

learned in the classroom. “Seeing the kids create this model shows me how much information they have

retained throughout the lesson. I ask questions to the kids about their model to see if they understand the full

effect of the project,” Powers stated. Ty Jager and Aaron Gordon won the class competition of who could best

put together their projects. Jager said that he enjoyed doing this project. “This was a project that tested your

imagination and your knowledge about soil conservation practices,” Jager stated. The champions were thrilled

with the reward they received after putting in hard work.

By: Chapter Reporter, Makenzie Jensen

FFA Turkey Dinner With the ghost, ghouls, frights, and candy

shortly behind us, the

Agri-Power FFA Chapter

held their annual Turkey

Dinner the first Sunday

of November. It was a

great success with having

many alumni of the Agri-

Power FFA in

attendance, to people of

the community coming to

enjoy a dinner that contained turkey, mashed

potatoes and gravy,

green beans, corn, rolls,

and a dessert of their

choice. Many FFA

members contributed to

helping make this day go

smoothly. FFA members

were responsible for dish

washers, food servers,

and table service crews.

Chapter Updates

7

Honorary Chapter members Jim and Linda Currier

spend a great deal of time preparing the meal prior

to the serving. Over 230 meals were served during

the 2 hour event. This free will offering event has

been in existing 11 years. Former Agri-Power FFA

President Ashley Drunkenmiller was in years since

we started this fine activity. Not only is it a good

fundraiser for the chapter, it is also a good event

attendance and enjoyed the meal immensely. “It is

hard to believe it has been eleven for the members

to exhibit responsibility and to show organization

skills,” Drunkenmiller stated. FFA member of the

Agri-Power chapter Danielle De Lange participated

in the turkey dinner and said that “It was a great

success with tasty food and everyone seemed to

enjoy it. I had tons of fun serving dessert and

mingling with people who came to pick out the

sugary treats.” FFA Advisor Patrick Powers was

pleased with the turnout of customers and the jobs

the kids did. “I was very happy that we served over

two hundred and thirty people at the dinner.

The kids that signed up and worked really

impressed me with their work ethics,” Powers said.

The chapter advertises this dinner by sending flyers

to many churches and having two plywood boards

up in the community. The Agri-Power FFA chapter

loves to participate in these events because they are

getting involved with the community.

By: Chapter Reporter,

Makenzie Jensen

North Mahaska FFA News

Nov. 3, 2011 North Mahaska FFA members held a Farm and Home Safety Day Sept. 15th and trained 180

elementary students. The FFA Chapter held a Blood Drive Nov. 2nd and collected 42 units of blood. Eric

Olson from IHCC has set up a Bio Fuel Workshop for Agri-science Classes. Making Ethanol. Nov. 14th the

FFA members will tour Kinze Mfg. The FFA is helping with the Silent Auction for the schools Cancer

Awareness and Fund-raising event Nov. 19th.

Article by: Amara Wander

Lone Tree News

The Lone Tree FFA Chapter had another

successful year with Farm Safety Day! The FFA

members did a great job instructing the fifth graders

about how to be pre-cautious and careful on a farm.

The FFA members like the students to know the

importance of safety, so they split up into groups

and each taught a different safety subject. Fire &

chemical safety, livestock safety, ATV safety, PTO

safety, auger & grain safety, lawn mower safety and

manure and water safety were the stations

demonstrated this year. Kent Anderson, a

representative from the Lone Tree Fire department,

along with FFA Members JD Hora, Dylan Hayes,

and Zach Shalla, helped the fifth graders understand

how to be careful around certain oils, gases and

other potentially dangerous liquids. They gave

information about how a farm could be a dangerous

if there was a fire and what precautions to take if

anything may happen.Katy Ruth, Bobbie Wyatt,

and Lexie Hudachek had a spectacular time

teaching the young students how to be careful

around animals on a farm. The kids got to learn how

to handle being around livestock, how to avoid

being injured from livestock, and sanitation

requirements.

8

Katy Ruth and Lexie Hudachek explain Livestock Safety to

one group of 5th

graders. (L to R: Lexie and Katy)

ATV safety was demonstrated by James

Lorack, Lydia Swanson, Alex Yedlik, and Taylor

Hemm. A lot of people enjoy ATVs, but sometime

people fail to be safe around ATV’s. The FFA

members changed that by letting to kids know how

to keep the ATVs in good condition, how to

effectively and safely

maneuver an ATV, and

how to dress accordingly

when operating onePTO

(Power Take Off) was

another station taught to

the fifth grade students.

This station included the

facts of how to use a

PTO the right way so no

one gets injured and

discussed the

predicament that could

happen if used

improperly. Lone Tree

FFA Members Alex

Adkins, Shay

Hudachek, and Bridget Furhmeister also let the

students know what not to wear when working with

PTOs.Auger & grain Safety is another important

station that was taught to fifth graders. The FFA

members instructed that grain flow can be highly

dangerous and that safety and common sense is

used around augers and respiratory health. The

FFA members, Caleb Schaapveld, Keaton Kane,

and Hailey Forbes, demonstrated how hard it would

be to get out of a bin full of grain using a 45 pound

wait and a tub of corn. The students were stunned

by the difficulty of pulling the weight out of the

corn. Manure & water safety involved the

discussion of how to be safe around gases. They

also instructed the kids about pond swimming and

how unhealthy it could be. FFA members Yaroslav

Pasichnychenko, Katrina Rogers, and Alyssa

Waldschmidt shared information and stories about

being around manure and the dangers it could

cause.Lastly, Jake Pearson, Hunter Hamilton, and

Lucas Plank, demonstrated safety practices for lawn

mowers. These FFA

members shared stories with

the fifth grade students of

how easy it is to get hurt, or

hunt someone else, using a

lawn mower. The FFA

members even put on a little

skit for the students to enjoy

and learn from.

The Lone Tree FFA

Freshman members also

played an important part in

Farm Safety Day. Greenhand

FFA Members Travis

Gillham, Jimmy Alberhasky,

Ethan Abbott, Kaylin Burr,

Jon Hora, Caleb Lyon, Erik Murray, Ty

Schillerstrom, Nick Viner, and Thomas Viner were

in charge on leading the groups of fifth grade

students to each of the stations. The work could not

have been completed without the help of all of the

FFA members.

All of the kids walked out learning

something new and gave them something to

remember for the rest of their life. They were well

educated, thanks to our good FFA members. They

look forward to teaching the kids every year and

now they have next year to look forward to!

Written by Chapter Reporter: Lexie S. Hudachek

Fort Madison

The Fort Madison High School FFA worked on a community project, landscaping, painting, remodeled

the kitchen, laid sidewalks, and developed a children playground for the Fort Madison Homeless shelter. Had a

Greenhand Social, 2 Parade entries (Rodeo & Homecoming), and will conduct a blood drive in December.

9

Tree Planting On November 4, members of the Washington FFA and volunteers helped plant trees at the new high

school softball facility. Pictured are Brody Escher (FFA), Anna Darling from Alliant Energy, Laura Wagner

from the DNR, Gary Fox (FFA), Andy Dahl of the

Washington Tree Committee and Jacob Ross (FFA),

Marde McConnell, and Jean Robertson from the

Washington Tree Committee assisted with the

planting. Chapter members studied tree physiology

and planting in the classroom prior to the event. The

FFA members involved were; Hunter Bell, Josh Bell,

Aaliyah Brown, Brody Escher, Gary Fox, Travis

Friese, Jennie Greene, Caleb Hora, Kaitlin Hora, Grant

Marek, Macy Marek, Kailey Martin, Jacob Ross, Brad

Skubal, Jordan Stout, Colton Twinam, and Michael

Witt. This event was made possible thanks to a $6000

grant from Alliant Energy to purchase the trees in the

Trees for Kids Program. Marde McConnell donated apples and bottled water for the volunteers. A water wagon

was provided by Dennis and Angie Friese. Duane Van Winkle is the Agricultural Education instructor and FFA

Advisor. Thank you to all of the volunteers and supporters of this activity.

Central Lee Nancy Shultz has been donating and baking pies for the Central Lee FFA labor auction for over 20

years. Nancy has 4 son's who achieved premier leadership, personal growth, and career success while in

Agricultural Education and FFA at Central Lee High School. This year Sheldon Wagner learned how to

decorate pies under the direction of Mrs. Shultz. We thank MRS. Shultz and the entire agricultural community

for their continued support of the Annual Central Lee FFA Labor auction.

Several Central Lee FFA Greenhands(1st

year members in the FFA) attended a Greenhand

orientation night at Mid-Prairie Community

schools recently. Members were engaged in

leadership workshops ranging from setting goals to

career options in agriculture. Members returned to

their local chapters excited about leadership and

agriculture. Participants were, front(l-r) Hope

Haley, Maddie Miller, Sammy Hasper, Brianna

Galvan, Alicia Riffle, Wesley Weirather, Kim

Bunnell, Kielly Vermazen, Middle row (l-r)

Addison Loges, Jacob Spears, Richie Wallace,

Jacob Boeck, Matthew Simmons

Steven Spalding, Matt Derr, Chance Tennant,

Alexis Pezley, Adryan St. Clair, Back row (l-r) Taylor Waterman, Tyler Buford, Kelsey Bryant, Miceala

Bryant, Will Benson, Seth Davis, and Spencer Limas.

10

A delegation from the Central Lee FFA attended the

National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in late

October. Members toured several points of interest, attended a

career fair and show, listened to motivational speakers and took

part in leadership workshops. Front row (l-r) Cassie Krebill,

Nicole Lamborn, Kayla Hasper, Meagan Taube, Skyler Wright,

Middle row (l-r) Alexis Otte, Rhonda Taube, Olivia Limas,

Kelsie Bunnell, Caylie Hawkins, Reed Shockley, Austin

Moore, Hadley Holtkamp, Austin Faeth, Back row (l-r) Brad

Waterman, Haley Vandenberg, Molly Van Brocklin, Dylan

Culpitt, Andy Vuletic, Thomas Benner, Luis Galle, Jason Ridgway, Warren Bailey, and Les Waterman .

North Scott The North Scott FFA is raking leaves for

those who are unable in our community on Saturday

November 5th.

Muscatine Check out upcoming Livestock Shows and

Sales in Muscatine at: www.aglearningcenter.org

Marengo "Buddies” is a mentoring program at Iowa Valley between the students enrolled in Mrs. Marcia

Kilgard’s Agricultural Science courses/Marengo FFA and Polly Gunzenhauser and Sarah Ritter's first grade

classroom. This program began in 2010. The Marengo FFA members wanted to build in their area of student

development in the FFA organization through their Program of Activities. The development of the "Buddies"

program will help achieve our chapter goal's to develop a mentor-mentee relationship that helps build

confidence and leadership skills for the high school and elementary students. The friendships between the high-

schoolers and first-graders will blossom into moments of learning together. During the monthly visits, the high-

schoolers focus their time on teaching and promoting agricultural literacy and leadership. The 30-minute

activity chosen is based on the season of the year.

West Branch The West Branch FFA Chapter is currently

selling fruit, meat, and cheese. The horticulture

class is also working hard to get Poinsettias ready

for the Holidays. Recently they held their

November Meeting, and enjoyed a meal at the local

mexican restaurant afterward. The officers are busy

getting ready for the holiday party as well.

Preston The Preston FFA chapter is currently

designing our Christmas tree for the annual town

parade of trees. We are also working on getting

farmers signed up for Monsanto Grows

Communities.

Oskaloosa Our FFA Chili-Cheese Soup Supper is Friday, November 18, 2011. We will induct new members and

host Chapter Degree ceremonies that evening. Hosted a chapter hayride on Saturday, October 16. Members

enjoyed a ride through the county and weiner roast afterwards. Oskaloosa Christmas Parade is December 1 &

2. Our chapter will be creating a lighted float to the theme "Silver Bells.”

11

DeWitt Central The DeWitt Central chapter recently did the Annual Rake N Run on November 18. We had about 4 or

5 groups that went to the yards of the elderly in our community and raked their leaves since they were unable to

do so. For lunch we went to Hall of Fame and the kid's lunches were paid for by the chapter. We raked about

30 yards that day. We recently harvested our variety test plot. Since then one of your members has done some

deep tillage and now we are working on our plans for the field for next year.

Belle Plain Greetings from the Belle Plaine FFA

Chapter! So far this year our chapter has planted

and harvested corn and bean crops, our greenhands

have raised and sold 600 broiler chickens for

chapter profit, and we are in the process of moving

our greenhouse. This fall we harvested 33 acres of

corn which averaged between 218.4 and

139.81 bu/a and 20 acres of beans which averaged

between 56 and 31.86 bu/a. We also purchased

broiler chickens when the school year started, fed

and raised them to full growth, and sold them for

profit so we could pay for new members FFA

jackets and dues. The Belle Plaine FFA Chapter is

also in the process of moving our greenhouse from

the old location at our old school to the new

location at the high school. We have done many

things this year in our chapter and we hope that you

are having a successful year in our chapter too!

Washington The Washington FFA was excited to Win the Linn-Mar/Kirkwood Horse Judging contest and place

second and third in the Livestock contest the same evening! The Land Lab is harvested, Greenhand Fire-up

attended, Greenhand Ceremonies conducted and Fruit Sales orders are completed!

Mediapolis This coming season is going to bring a lot of

activities for the Mediapolis FFA Chapter. One of

our big events will be our community service

auction to be held on the November 14th in the

Elementary Gym. Our members will be auctioned

off to community members to work for eight hours.

The money raised from this event will go towards

students going to conferences and other activities.

South Sub-District contests will be held at Mepo

this year on February 20th, so many of our members

will be either helping arrange this, run it, or

participate in the contests.

Mediapolis FFA Reporters: Hannah Hillyard &

Mike Poggemiller

North Mahaska North Mahaska FFA members held a Farm and Home Safety Day Sept. 15th and trained 180 elementary

students. The FFA Chapter held a Blood Drive Nov. 2nd and collected 42 units of blood. Eric Olson from

IHCC has set up a Bio Fuel Workshop for Agriscience classes making Ethanol. On Nov. 14th FFA members

toured Kinze Manufacturing. The FFA is helping with the Silent Auction for the schools Cancer Awareness

and fundraising event Nov. 19th.