by Atlantic FFA Reporter Haley Carlson

The Atlantic FFA has been very busy as the first quarter of the school year is coming to a close. The chapter had been participating in soils judging, Greenhand Fire Up, fruit sales, and applying for the National Convention and Expo.

On Tuesday, Sept. 30, Atlantic FFA had three members compete in the Southwest District Soils Judging contest at Iowa Western Community College. Seniors Adam Freund and Clinton Hansen and junior Clayton Saeugling placed 14 out of 20. Team members took a written test about soil in Iowa, then each member judged 4 different soil pits. Each pit was judged on Soil Horizons, Slope, Landscape Position, and Agricultural Suitability.

Greenhand Fire Up: The Atlantic FFA chapter hosted the 2014 Southwest Greenhand Fire-Up Camp on Oct. 8. There was an attendance of 390 members, advisors, and guests. This camp was designed for new FFA members, mostly freshmen and sophomores, to learn leadership and communication skills. There were four different stations: Authenticity, Priorities, SMART Goals, and Communication. The workshop was presented by four current Iowa FFA officers, and the Southwest District Officer team with current and past district officers from all over Iowa helped out. Atlantic FFA members assisted the FFA staff in facilitating different stations within the high school. The night ended in the auditorium with door prizes and pictures.

Fruit Sales: Atlantic FFA members have started their annual fruit sales fundraiser. Fruit sales started on Oct. 6t and ended the 22. The officer team started a new tradition this year to give the chapter some “in-house” competition. Each member of the team was to “draft” a winning team of FFA members, and the team with the most sales won supper at the restaurant of their choice.

Preview National Convention: Atlantic FFA members were given the opportunity to once again apply for a trip to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. With 14 applicants, including FFA alumni and AHS staff, FFA advisor Eric Miller had to chose only 7 to attend. The list was released on October 1st. Members attending include: seniors Adam Freund, Calley Klindt and Marshal McDermott, juniors Clayton Saeugling, Emily McDermott, and Haley Carlson, and sophomore Alexis Boes. These seven, along with Miller, will leave Tuesday, Oct. 28 and return Nov. 1. The theme for this years convention is “Go All Out!”