The local FFA chapter has been busy since last year’s National FFA week. When we highlighted the activities that took place within our chapter we can’t help but thank our community for all the support and encouragement.

MARCH

March of 2020 was spent preparing for FFA contest and attending the first ever VIRTUAL District FFA Contest. Our chapter participated in 1 event all other events were canceled due to COVID concerns.  Lillie Haman competed in Ag Sales via google meet. Kayla Jiras and Lillie Haman also served as District FFA Delegates for the business session and voting purposes. Mrs. Amelon was appointed as the 2020-2021 District FFA Advisor serving over 40 different FFA Chapters in southeast Iowa. Ainsley Schrock’s FFA Scrapbook received a silver award and Kayla Jiras’s Secretaries book received a gold rating and advance to State FFA Convention.

APRIL

During April last spring students would have typically prepared for State FFA Convention. Due to the pandemic only minimal contest were held and those that were conducted were conducted in a virtual format. Kayla’s secretaries book was judged at the state level and received a silver rating. Lillie Haman and Kayla Jiras also served as delegates for voting in the State FFA Officers in a virtual business session.

MAY & JUNE

May was a not as busy as years past due to the pandemic. The FFA Chapter had to cancel their annual banquet and summer livestock judging contest were put on hold.  Students did still prepare their animals in hopes of having a county fair. Parts of May and June students spent time at home working on their supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and preparing for livestock shows.

JULY

July is a month where several of the Clear Creek Amana FFA chapter exhibits their projects at the Johnson County Fair.  This year several FFA members showed sheep, cattle and hogs at the fair. Several of the FFA members learned lifelong lessons while exhibiting their project and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

AUGUST

In August our chapter officers attended District Chapter Officer Leadership Training where they found ways to improve our chapter. This year Chapter Officer Leadership Training was held at Clear Creek Amana since Mrs. Amelon is the 2020-2021 District FFA Advisor.

I’m sure you’re all aware that once August rolls around that summer is winding down and the first day of school is approaching quickly, but not until the Iowa State Fair. In 2020 the Iowa State Fair did not occur in its normal format much like everything else. The Iowa State Fair 2020 Special Edition was only for 4-H and FFA members to show their livestock. Not all livestock were invited to the fair but one Clear Creek Amana FFA member was able to showcase his heifer. Grant Haman was the first Clear Creek Amana FFA member to show at the Iowa State Fair. He earned second place in his Angus Heifer Class. Also in August school started and the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter navigated the start of a very different school year.

SEPTEMBER

September was just as busy as August with the start of the soil judging Career Development Events. Clear Creek Amana FFA members participated in the District Soils Contest. The Team of Alex Cox, Bryce Mougin, Tyler Steines, Olivia Miller and Claire Beitz were points away from advancing to State Soils Contest. The students represent the chapter well and are eager to practice for next year.

OCTOBER

October is typically the start of new adventures for the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter. The chapters welcomed 15 new members to the organization but the typical leadership conference was not held in October due to the concern to spreading COVID so it was hosted in a smaller format in January.  

National FFA Convention is always a busy time for an FFA Chapter but this year was different the National FFA Organization allowed for a virtual convention so Clear Creek Amana FFA members attended sessions and listened to keynote speakers during Ag Classes the week of National Convention.

NOVEMBER

November was a time for FFA Chapter connection and bonding, several virtual trivia nights were held and members continued to attend in person and virtual meetings. This year the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter reach out to the community and helped the student council by purchasing gifts for those in need in our community.

DECEMBER

During the month of December the FFA chapter worked to organize the annual Clear Creek Amana Soup Supper. The students also started to think about spring contest and the event that would occur in the spring.

JANUARY

January started off with the preparation of Supervised Agricultural Experience Records books and Iowa FFA Degree Applications.  Three students completed the application process to receive their Iowa FFA Degree. Congratulations to Alex Cox, Katie Anderson and Lillie Haman for earning their Iowa FFA Degree.

On January 8th the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter held there annual Soup Supper although the format was a drive through this year the FFA Chapter had a great turn out and community support.

During the month of January the students are practicing for contest on February 23.  The students have also started to work on planning for this springs FFA Farm land. Clear Creek Amana will be farming 20 acres this year as part of the organizations learning laboratory.

Our first year members attended Greenhand Fire Up at Clear Creek Amana high school were students learned more about the FFA Organization and the opportunities that are available within the organization. This year the Clear Creek Amana  FFA Chapter has 15 greenhand members and we look forward to the memories that will be built with these students.

FEBUARY

So far February has been a fast month, Clear Creek Amana FFA members reached out to the community by selling meat, cheese and fruit. This year the students sold over $6,000.00 of fruit, meat and cheese products. The money earned will go towards various events throughout the year for the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter. This year Lillie Haman was our top fruit salesman fallowed by Raya Baxter and Joey Coburn. The FFA chapter would like to personally thank everyone who supported the chapter during the 2021 FFA Fruit Sales.

February has been great so far for the Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter. The students have continued to practice for Career Development Events. Several of the members will compete at District Contest on March 6 at Mediapolis  high school. The students have continued to plan for National FFA week Feb 22-26. We greatly enjoy your support towards our chapter.

Your Clear Creek Amana FFA Chapter Reporter Alex Cox