Category Archives: FFA

Hay Springs FFA Chapter has been notified that we have received an $8,000 matching funds grant from the Nebraska FFA Foundation.

Last fall our FFA Chapter discussed having our own goat production program to providing livestock production experience for our students and FFA members as well as potentially provide livestock for students to exhibit at the county fairs. I would have to say that everyone was super excited about this awesome idea. With that being said, we spent time discussing and putting together our plans to make it happen. We knew when we first discussed the possibilities of getting this started that we were going to need to develop a financial plan. As an FFA Chapter that had just received our Nebraska membership in the fall of 2019, we knew we were going to need to apply for grants, and ask for donations from the community to get this project started. We felt that having the strong support of our school and community a matching fund grant would be an excellent way to finance this expansion to our Agricultural Science program. After researching available grant opportunities, we thought the Nebraska FFA Foundation program would be an excellent program that might support our new Agricultural Science/FFA program.

After developing a budget for our goat production program we completed the application and submitted it in June of 2020.

I am extremely happy to say that we have received an $8,000 matching fund grant from the Nebraska FFA foundation funded by Farm Credit Services of America! With that being said, we are all excited to get started on our livestock development project as soon as possible.

Our initial financial plan for our Hay Springs FFA Chapter/Ag Science Livestock Development Project, totals $15,994.50. Although we are thrilled about receiving the fantastic FFA grant, we are still in need of donations in any way you can support this project. I believe that this project will be an excellent way for our ag students and FFA members to put into practice the words of our FFA Motto;

Learning to Do – Doing to Learn – Earning to Live – Living to Serve.

Your Support is Needed and Appreciated
One way in which you can become involved in this project is through the FFA’s “I believe in the Future of Ag” program. Your donations sent to the Nebraska FFA Foundation listing the Hay Springs FFA Chapter as the designated FFA Chapter will be returned directly to the Hay Springs FFA Chapter with the possibility of matching funds up to $35,000 state wide. There three ways you can donate to the Nebraska FFA Foundation to help us make this happen.

1. Checks to the Nebraska FFA Foundation attached to donation cards. (available from FFA Members)
2. In person donation to local Advisor or chapter members
3. Online: www.neffafoundation.org

As we begin this process our chapter will be involved in other fund raising activities to help make this happen. It is our hope that we can have things in place to make this happen yet this fall.

FFA traveled to Scottsbluff this week. Here’s the Floriculture team at District 12 Career Development Event competition. Bailey S, Hannah H, Jaiden A, Laney S, Jazlyn S and Elissa R. Bailey received a Red ribbon.

Also, Logan D competiting in District 12 Livestock Management Career Development Event competition. Other team members were Colter M, Jett R, Bradyon B, and Blair H. The team red ribboned in Poultry and Dairy.

Toby S, August S, Clark O, and Tallon R represented Hay Springs in the Welding contest where Tallon received a Red ribbon.

Ag Science spent time at “The New Leaf” floral shop in preparation for district floriculture contest.  Thanks to “The New Leaf” staff for their support!

For those who can’t make it to the convention this year, keep up with all the happenings live and in real time on the National FFA homepage at www.ffa.org and on TV as part of their ongoing partnership with RFD-TV.  RFD-TV is available on most major satellite and cable television providers. Learn more at: https://www.rfdtv.com/story/41119647/get-the-2019-national-ffa-convention-expo-broadcast-schedule and find the website live streaming schedule at: https://ffa.box.com/s/qayxczexrkva1fe45b7vz0ldq1k7prq5. Please note that live streaming is not free.

Congratulations! Hay Springs FFA Chapter has been issued a FFA Charter by National FFA!

We received an email on Monday September 16th that the Hay Springs FFA Chapter Application had been approved at the State and National level and has been added to the list of 189 Nebraska Chapters with over 9,000 Nebraska members. The annual State FFA Convention is held each spring in Lincoln with over 5,000 members in attendance. This will provide great opportunities for Hay Springs students to develop leadership skills, personal growth toward career success as well the opportunity to be involved in our community improvement and become advocates for Agriculture. The Agricultural Science / FFA program is a diverse educational program which allows students to develop Agricultural and leadership skills through involvement in FFA, Ag classroom instruction and the development of an SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) program where they will receive hands-on experience.

We plan to have our first Official Hay Springs FFA meeting September 17th where we will conduct officer elections and begin planning activities for the 2019-20 school year. The original Hay Springs FFA chapter was in existence from the mid 1940’s until 1964. Our students are very excited about this opportunity and if you have an interest in supporting our youth in this organization please contact Mr. Lechtenberg at the school.

Hay Springs Public School had a “Vocational Agriculture” program and active “Future Farmers of American” student leadership organization, during the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s as near as we can determine. With the hiring of Mr. Mark Hagge as a Pre-K -12th Principal, Mr. Lechtenberg will be teaching two Agricultural Science classes this fall. This will allow us the opportunity to get our FFA student leadership organization re-established in Hay Springs School and community. We currently have 19 students enrolled in three Agricultural Science classes which include Introduction to Agricultural Science, Ag Business Management taught by Mr. Lechtenberg and a Veterinary Science class taught by Mrs. Young. An application to get our Hay Springs FFA Chapter re-instated has been submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education Career Education department and pending approval we are moving forward expecting the best. Our students are very excited about our possibilities of “A New Beginning”. With the support of staff, students, parents and community, it is going to be an exciting year. If you have an interest in supporting this process please contact Mr. Lechtenberg, the school office or any of the current Ag Science students.