In January 2008, Johnson-Brock students were offered agriculture education classes via distance learning from Mrs. Christy Hodges.  They were also offered membership in the Johnson County Central FFA Chapter. 

Soon after becoming members of the local FFA Chapter, they discovered a competition sponsored by Chevron Delo® for FFA members.  Four members from Johnson-Brock formed a tractor restoration team.  Jim Gerking, a strong supporter of the Johnson Brock School, donated a 1955 Farmall 300 tractor for the team of Craig Teten, Doug Grotrian, Will Bebout and Tessa Wellsandt to begin restoring. 

 

This team put in endless hours restoring this tractor and put together a video, photo documentation, and a workbook that was required for submission by Sept. 5th.  The workbook details the entire restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of engines, transmissions and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors.

Since 1995 the Chevron Delo® Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skill and business savvy of high school aged FFA members from around the country. Through the restoration of an antique tractor, participants develop skills applicable to the modern business world.

 

The skills needed to be successful in the program — equipment maintenance, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning and marketing – help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community.

Craig Teten, the son of Tim & Melody Teten; Doug Grotrian, the son of Ron & Deb Grotrian; Will Bebout, the son of Howard & Lucy Bebout; and Tessa Wellsandt, the daughter of Kurt & Kim Wellsandt will be making their way to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN October 21st-25th. 

 

They were notified that they were in the top ten and that they will be presenting a 20 minute Oral Presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions from the judges at the National FFA Convention!

 

Local student hits the right note
INDIANAPOLIS – When the lights are dimmed and hush descends upon an audience of more than 54, 000 at the nation’s largest annual student convention this Oct.22 through October 25, 2008, in Conseco Fieldhouse, Lisa Niedermeyer will share the spotlight in a musical performance that will inspire the crowd and provide memories to last a lifetime.

Lisa Niedermeyer of the Johnson County Central FFA Chapter has been selected to sing Alto 1 in the National FFA Chorus.  Lisa is the daughter of Robert and Debbie Niedermeyer of Cook, NE.   Lisa submitted an audition tape and was one of the 94 young people selected nationwide to be a member of the prestigious group.

The choir will perform several times at the 81st National FFA Convention, adding excitement and motivation to the sessions through their music. National FFA Chorus members are nominated by their state associations and were chosen from a pool of more than 150 applications. The young musicians arrive in Indianapolis three days before convention begins to rehearse.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 500, 823 student members-all preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture-as part of 7, 358 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.