The Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA chapter held their annual Greenhand Blast Off event to welcome freshman members. Chapter officers led activities for the freshman that incorporated lessons on leadership, including communication, teamwork, goal setting, and follow through. Freshman member Jennifer Cuadros enjoyed the team cup stacking activity and learned the importance of working together and communicating.

1. Greenhand Blast-Off
We were especially excited to welcome our freshman members into our FFA
program and ag classes. To welcome our “Greenhands”, we hosted our
annual “Greenhand Blast Off” event on Saturday, August 27th.
During the event, chapter officers led several activities for the freshman
students. With each station, an officer tied in a lesson on leadership. The
leadership components included communication, teamwork, goal setting,
and follow through. Some of the activities students completed were stacking
cups as a team (using a rubber band and string without talking), a
notecard/cup stacking challenge, and trying to be the first to knock 20 cups
off of a table using only the air from a balloon. To complete the activity
rotation, officers shared their FFA goals with the students, and helped the
freshman students effectively write three goals for their FFA career.
Freshman FFA member, Jennifer Cuadros commented on her experience, “I
liked the activity where we had 4 people in a group and we pulled the yarn
to get the rubber band on the cup and stack them. I learned that you have to
work as a team and communicate well with each other."
1
Colton James CD
Fundraiser
Starting now
through September
16th, the S-O FFA is
partnering with
Monsanto, Colton
James, and the
Harvest 4 Heroes
project to sell
Colton James CD's
for $15. All profits
from CD sales will
be matched by
Monsanto and will
benefit wounded
veterans and
veterans suffering
from Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder.
Donations are also
being accepted for
the cause, and will
also be matched by
Monsanto.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Sibley-Ocheyedan FFA Chapter
August 2016
Lydia Buysman, Faye Carda, and Jenny Cuadros were the the winners of the cup-
stacking team-challenge at the Greenhand Blast Off.

2. Classes Resume at S-O
On August 23rd, the Sibley-Ocheyedan school
bells rang symbolizing the start of a new school
year. Students are back in the classroom, and
that, of course, means students are back in the
ag department!
Classes being offered this semester include
Animal Science, Ag Leadership, Dairy Science,
Agronomy, Ag Mechanics, as well as Ag 1 & Ag
2. Starting this year, we also have the
opportunity to include 7th and 8th graders in
agriculture education classes.
Ag 1 is for freshman students, while Ag 2 is for
our 2nd year members. Our officer team meets
each day during our Ag Leadership class.
During this time, the team has the opportunity
to work on chapter goals, member relations,
and organize upcoming chapter events.
The middle school students will work in a 6-
week rotation, with a new group of students
each time. During their class time, they will
cover general ag and FFA history, facts, and
leadership skills.
Upcoming Events
Annual Pork Chop Supper - September 30, 2016
Chapter Meeting - October 10, 2016
Blood Drive - October 12, 2016
National FFA Convention - October 19-22, 2016
State Officer Weekend - November 20-21, 2016
NW District Fun Night - November 21, 2016
Parent/Member Meeting - December 14, 2016
2
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
FARM PROGRESS SHOW
On Wednesday, August 31st, 21 S-O FFA members loaded a
charter bus and headed to Boone, Iowa to attend the Farm
Progress Show. At the event, the students had the opportunity
to meet with various agriculture businesses, see new
technology in the agriculture industry, and had international
agriculture exposure. On the ride down, they had the
opportunity to visit with 5 CFE interns from Ukraine. They
spent much of the bus ride comparing lifestyle, agriculture,
and opportunities in the different countries.
The farm progress show trip was made possible by Coop Farmers Elevator and Bruce Weller.
Above, a middle school FFA member works on a
"Get to Know You" activity on one of the first
days of class.
FFA members who attended the Farm
Progress Show stop for a quick picture
with Bruce Weller and Katie Flick (CFE).