Spring at the Farm

The Newark FFA Chapter was involved a service learning project along with Kendall County 4-H members at the Dickson-Murst Farm near Montgomery, sponsored by the Dickson-Murst Farm Partners and hosted by The Conservation Foundation. On May 20th, 2007 36 members brought the farm back to life with their farm animals and presented on the different animal industries involved in the agriculture. A judging seminar was given along with many of the Career Development Events that FFA members are involved with in the FFA. Other activities were presented with garden demos, Antique tractors, hayrides, wool spinning, and historic displays. Several hundred people were in the attendance for the event. Animals included chicks, ducklings, ducks, chickens turkey, beef cattle, pigs, goats, rabbits, horses and a dairy cow.

Construction on the new greenhouse has BEGUN!!!

Day 13 Friday 4/6/07 LAST DAY

Day 12 Thursday 4/5/07

Day 11 Wednesday 4/4/07

Day 6 Saturday 3/31/07

Day 5 Friday 3/30/07

Day 4 Thursday 3/29/07

Day 3 Wednesday 3/28/07

Day 2 Tuesday 3/27/07

Day 1 Monday 4/26/07

Vulcan Lisbon Quarry presents Newark FFA with $25,000 matching grant

The Newark Agricultural Education Department has reached a major milestone in its fundraising efforts to construct a new greenhouse for its students and the community. Representatives from the Vulcan Materials Company Lisbon Quarry presented Newark FFA Chapter officers and Advisor Joe Steffen with a $25,000 matching grant to help them reach their goal of $63,000.

“We are very impressed with the program and everyone’s enthusiasm on this project,” said Steve Novak, local area manager, Vulcan Materials Company. “We wanted to recognize the students and Joe for their leadership and hard work by matching the funds already raised for this important project.”

The 30 ft. x 60 ft. greenhouse will be used by more than 160 students in the school’s agriculture program, students from Newark and Lisbon Grade Schools, as well as adult programming. Vulcan’s gift matches a $10,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, $10,000 from the Newark FFA Alumni and $5,000 from the Newark FFA Chapter.

“We are grateful for the generous support of all of our sponsors and are encouraged by Vulcan’s commitment to helping our community,” said Joe Steffen. “This is a great example of what we can accomplish when everyone comes together to help our students.”

Money and donations of time, labor and materials are still needed to finish the job, which Steffen hopes to complete this summer. If you are interested in making a donation, contact Joe Steffen at (815) 695-5164. For more information about the Lisbon Quarry, visit www.vmcKendall.com.

Farm Bureau Acquaintance Day

On January 24th the Newark FFA Chapter along with Seneca, Minooka, Oswego and Oswego East FFA Chapters were invited to the Kendall and Grundy County Farm Bureau Acquaintance Day. The group toured Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana. One of the largest dairy farms in the United States. Members saw a 3D/4D movie, went through the interactive center and toured a birthing barn, free stall barn and milking parlor. The farm will be milking 39,000 cows 3 times a day by the end of summer.