Hey everyone! Just checking-in. We have just recently finished up at the harrisburg All American Dairy show. We all had a great time meeting dairy exhibitors from over 28 states and the P.A State Officers. It was truly an amazing event seeing  over 200 exhibitors and each of them showing over 4 cattle each. I was the Brown swiss show ring leader and assisted the judge in placing the classes. While our maryland State Reporter Scotty Keyser was the Brown Swiss gateman. Towards the end of the day everything was going good until one cow decided it was play time and took off with the handler. So scotty and myself stepped in to help out. We managed to get the cow under control until the owner could come get it.  It was a blast helping out fellow FFA members and being with the State Officer team.

Sincerely

A.J. Baginski

Warm weather, steaks outside on the grill, the need for a heavy jacket gone, what must all of these things mean? That yes, springtime is definitely here. Which means FFA members spring judging is right around the corner. Are you ready yet? If not you better start hitting the books or if Ag Mechanics is you’re thing hitting up the welder.

 

February was a very busy month with National FFA Week but March is here!! Which means that regionals have been taking place to see who will compete at spring judging and state convention. I had the opportunity to help out with the Region 4 Ag. Mechanics competition. This was a very special treat for me as I have never been to this cde before. I thought that the contest consisted of building stuff and fixing equipment but I was very wrong there is a lot that goes into prepping for this contest. Not only do you have to be handy with a welder but you have to be book smart as well.  

 I also had the pleasure of attending the Region 4 public speaking contest. It turned into a very long but fun night.  The senior prepared public speaking made the night so long but we had a few interruptions like the fire alarm going off in the middle of speeches. While everyone was waiting for us to finish, a game of apples to apples broke out to pass the time.

 Congratulations go to all of the winners and participants of the Region 4 regional competitions. Everyone did a fantastic job! A big thank you goes out to Maryland Paving and Liberty High School for hosting the region 4 competitions.

Nicole Hood of the Middletown FFA Chapter was featured in the FFA New Horizons magazine under the FFA faces. It was nice to see Maryland well represented!

 

 Forever Blue and Gold,

Abbey

Well now that National FFA Week has come and gone, I hope you all had a wonderful week and had the opportunity to meet Landan! It seemed like the week just flew by so quickly. It must have been because we were all having such a great time!

 

On Wednesday, Matthew, JD and I started our day at Middletown High School for a breakfast with the region 2 FFA officers. Landan put on an amazing workshop about knowing your card- the importance of values, choices, and interests. All had a great time. Then it was off to Frederick Career and Technology Center for workshops with region 2 members. There Landan, Matthew, JD and I all put on different workshops about team building and leadership. The officers and I all had a wonderful time getting to know the members! Landan had never been to Gettysburg, PA before so that afternoon Matthew and I accompanied Landan to a museum. It was such a good experience because I had never been there before either! Later that night we went over to Bounce U in region 3 and had a great time playing on the moon bounces. It was a highlight of my day getting to play like a kid again!

 

On Thursday Lucas, Landan and I headed to the Maryland State Fair Grounds for more workshops with Region 4. We had a great time learning more about FFA and getting to know the members of region 4. We had a yummy snack of pop corn. Lucas and I now have good experience popping popcorn so if we every work at a movie theater we are good to go! In the evening, we headed over to Kent County for a banquet and awards ceremony! We enjoyed getting to see the progress the chapter has made in building their chapter back up. They are definitely on the right track.

 

Friday was the final day of National FFA Week and it was sad to see it come to an end. But, we relished the little time we had left with the Easton FFA Chapter. We played an very intense game of the Blue and Gold Game and we learned that Mr. Bishop is a serious FFA knowledge competitor. We had a fun time testing the knowledge that we had and even learned a few things too!  After our visit with Easton FFA, we headed over to the Wye Research Center to learn more about the University of Maryland beef cattle operation. It was interesting to hear about the program and the cattle that they have.

 

Saturday, I tore up the dance floor at the FFA dance hosted by the Middletown FFA Chapter. I had a great time dancing and hanging out with members of the Middletown, Catoctin, Boonsboro, South Carroll, Frederick and Clearspring FFA chapters. Even Mrs. Shriner, Mrs. Aug, Ms. Kreh and Mrs. Poffenburger got out there danced with us. A great time was had by all!!

 

I hope during National FFA Week members enjoyed themselves and got to celebrate the organization we all love! Even though FFA Week has come to a close it is important to remember that we have the infinite potential to succeed in every aspect of our lives all we have to do is try!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

 

Abbey

 

When we hear the word Valentine's Day, we immediately think of the day that love is freely expressed between between family, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and married couples. But, Valentine's Day has more to offer than just a greeting card, a dozen red roses and if your lucky a big teddy bear. It is also a day filled with kindness and caring. 

 

As, FFA members we share our kindness with others through our community service projects. These may be big projects like raising money for our local animal shelters by having pet pictures taken with Santa or holding a canned food drive for the local food pantry. But, it does not take a huge project to accomplish this. One expression that holds true is "its the little things that count the most", we can spread the kindness and love of Valentine's Day to everyday just by saying hello to someone in the hall or giving a smile. Giving a smile and saying hello are easy to do and do not require much effort. If you were having a bad day and someone went out of their way to say hello to you, wouldn't you feel loved and begin to feel better? We should all just try at least once today to go out of our way and give that smile or say hello and maybe it will become part of our regular routines.

 

As we continue forth into our FFA year, continue to spread to the kindness as you meet others from across the state. Just by giving that smile you can make a difference in someone's day, maybe make it a little bit brighter!

 

Happy Valentine's Day Maryland FFA!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

 

Abbey

 

Hey Everyone,

 

I hope you all are enjoying the snow and winter weather!  I know I certainly am!  It is hard to believe that 2011 is here already and January is almost over.  For our officer team 2011 is off to a great start, as we have many exciting events coming up!

 

Scarlett and I had a wonderful visit with the Liberty FFA chapter even though there was a two- hour delay.  We did some sheep tossing as we learned more about the mission of the FFA.  We also learned more about the different types of events that members can participate in.  Scarlett and I realized that we cannot pass a piece of paper only using a straw and that further practice is needed before we are the example for this activity again.  But, overall we had a great time and cannot wait to go back!

 

I am starting to get very excited for National FFA Week in February as we will have a National FFA Officer joining us! What are some of the activities your chapter's are planning for National FFA Week? Let us know on our facebook page! Keep up the good work in all of your FFA and school activities!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

 

Abbey

 

Hey MD,

 

I hope you are all doing well and beginning to reflect on your 2010 FFA year. The past few weeks have been very busy filled with chapter visits! Scarlett and I had a great time with the Manchester Valley FFA Chapter as we learned about leadership and communication! Then it was off to see the North Carroll FFA Chapter with Lucas. We were having a fantastic time but unfortunately it was cut short by something else very exciting, snow!!! Today Lucas and I bonded with the South Carroll FFA Chapter as we braved the cold temperatures to do group jump roping as we learned more about team building.

 

If you read my last blog, I spoke about the holiday season being a season of service. Let us know on the Maryland FFA facebook page how you fulfilled you duty to service this holiday season! I did my duty to service by continuing to collect the pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and by donating toys to Toys for Tots.

 

As you reflect on the personal growth, success, and leadership skills you gained as a result of a first or another year in FFA. Remember to Let Blue Inspire you to give 150% in personal endeavors, classroom work, and anywhere the blue jacket the may take you.

 

From our FFA family to yours, Happy Holidays!!!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

Abbey

 

 

 

Hey MD FFA,

 

I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and good fellowship. Believe it or not we all have a lot to be thankful for as FFA members. Our parents and FFA advisors, who we owe a huge thank you and maybe even a hug. Our FFA advisors give us the extra push we need to take it to the next degree and they provide the guidance that can aid our personal FFA journeys. Parents, well without them where would we be.

 

As we move into the holiday season filled with merriment, giving, and family lets focus on giving to others. The "Living to Serve" part of our FFA motto. Service doesn't have to be a big expensive project because it is the thought that counts. Think of what you can do for your community like maybe making scarves for the homeless or collecting toys for children in need. So FFA members what does service mean to you? 

 

Keep collecting your soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities as the state fulfills our duty to service!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

Abbey 

This past week has been a very busy one for me jammed packed with FFA events. I have had a great time getting to meet FFA members from all over the state at the 212 Leadership Conferences! Members use you what you learned at 212 to risk boldly and take everything you do to the next degree. It is sad to say that all of our leadership conferences are over. But we are continuing on with more activities. Scarlett and I were invited to attend the Queen Anne's FFA Chapter open house. We had a great time meeting the members and learning about their program. It is easy to see that they have a good thing going on! Tonight, I am very excited to attend the Carroll County FFA Banquet! I cannot wait to see all the Carroll County chapter presidents come together to perform opening ceremonies! I just finished baking the State Officer cake for the Carroll County FFA cake auction and it looks delicious!

 

I have some very exciting news! During National FFA Week we will be having a National FFA Officer join us for our festivities! I am sure we will give our National Officer a warm Maryland welcome as he/she make their way across the state.

 

Keep collecting your soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and we will see who has the most by state convention. I am pretty sure it will be the State Officer Team because we are on a roll with our collection of tabs!

 

Remember Let Blue Inspire You through out your FFA year!!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

Abbey

I have finally figured out how to blog, this is super exciting! It seems like I have been on a whirlwind adventure since being elected to state office and I am having the time of my life. Since becoming a state officer, I can honestly say that I have driven from one side of the state to other all in one day! I got to meet members on the eastern shore and had a blast with them at the region 5 leadership conference! From there we went straight to Nationals where Rebecca, Scarlett, and I represented Maryland as delegates during the business sessions. We even got to sit on the floor during sessions and when we made an arch for the national officers to run through it was the coolest thing ever!  I am looking forward to the regional leadership conference on friday with the members of region 4! 

 

Remember Let Blue Inspire You!!

 

Forever Blue and Gold,

Abbey

Members,

This year has been one that has changed my life forever. Over this past year I was able to meet so many great people and make so many great memories. I have grown as a person and that was because of you guys. I cannot begin to thank you all enough for giving me such a great year. FFA members just remeber to keep creating your own journeys! Everyone stay in touch!

To the new officer team

You guys have the potential to be great and we all know you will be nothing but great!

Thank You for everything this year, it truly has been a pleasure to be apart of the MD FFA Family!!!

I Love you guys
Nikki

I hope everyone had a safe and filling holiday!! I know i did after all the turkey!! Now that leaderships are over we hope that everyone will make sure that their chapter fills out an officer visit form so we can come see you guys.
Spring Judging is right around the corner. I hope that everyone is studying and getting prepared. I am really excited to see everyone again at College Park and hopefully we will be seeing a lot of you guys sooner then that!

With Love,
Nikki Swann
09-10 Vice President