Ashland FFA students learn outside the classroom
ASHLAND NEWS
by Susan Feeney-Hopkins
Sixteen Ashland High School FFA members and two adviser/coaches recently returned from another unique and very successful five-day extended trip to the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Janet Perry/Ashland FFA adviser
STUDENT MEMBERS of the Ashland District School FFA recently enjoyed a five-day extended trip to the Eastern States Exposition and beyond. The students enjoyed participating in FFA competitions at the fair, as well as a variety of other educational tours and agricultural activities. Here, the students take a photo on the same shores where the pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower. Pictured are, from left, front row: Jessica Johnson, Rebecca Libby, Marissa Chasse, Allyx Beaulier, Caitlin Paradis, Laura Sturgeon, Cassidy Goulet and Cassandra Bolstridge. Back row: Kali Pelletier, Sydney Curtis, Rachel Gillis, Alex Gillis, Garrett Graham, Sophie Theriault, Fallyn Tardie and Whitney Page.
A major goal of the trip was for students to participate in various FFA competitions focusing on a wide range of agricultural topics. In addition, students participated in the FFA Career Development Events (CDEs) and had the opportunity to learn about the many agricultural careers available to them here in Maine and throughout New England. This trip to learn about agriculture “outside the classroom” was made possible from a recent grant from Maine Ag in the Classroom, long-term grant support from the Maine Potato Board and outstanding school and community support.
The students’ first stop on their trip included a visit to the Massachusetts Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). In addition to the many dogs and cats normally found in adoption centers, the MSPCA facility also rehabilitates and cares for a wide variety of other species. During a tour of the facility, the students saw many dogs and cats along with cattle, goats, horses, pigs, poultry and “exotics,” such as rats and snakes. Students met with the employees and volunteers who are dedicated to the caring and placement of these animals. They were also allowed the opportunity to meet the animals, learn about their daily care and routines.
Over the following two days, the trip focused on FFA activities all designed to develop the students’ leadership and teamwork skills. At The Big E fair, held in Springfield, Mass., Ashland students represented Maine in eight FFA Career Development Events including four individual and four team competitions. Ashland students qualified to enter these events due to their participation during the Maine State FFA Convention held at the University of Maine at Orono the previous May.
Ashland FFA members competed against the winners from 20 states. Ashland students competing in the Individual CDE were Cassie Bolstridge in Creed Speaking, in which she memorized and delivered the traditional FFA Creed; Kali Pelletier in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, who had to draw an agricultural topic “out of a hat” and write a speech (about the topic) within a half hour and deliver her speech to a panel of judges; Allyx Beaulier, who competed in the Job Interview event where she practiced job seeking skills by writing letters, filling out job applications and interviewing for potential employment, and Rebecca Libby, who competed in Prepared Public Speaking, delivering a speech she wrote on “The Effects Global Warming Has on Maine Maple Syrup.”
Ashland Team (CDE) competitions included Dairy Cattle Judging which involved the participating student team members to evaluate dairy animals of all ages for conformation and ability to make milk. Team members included Cassie Bolstridge, Marissa Chasse, Sydney Curtis and Garrett Graham. The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) team including Allyx Beaulier, Alex Gillis, Whitney Page and Fallyn Tardie, tested soil and water samples and answered questions on a wide variety of environmental topics. The Livestock Evaluation (LE) team judged beef, sheep and swine classes and then presented spoken explanations for their chosen placements. The LE team students were Garrett Graham, Jessica Johnson, Caitlin Paradis and Laura Sturgeon. The Milk Quality and Milk Products team of Rachel Gillis, Cassidy Goulet, Kali Pelletier and Sophie Theriault identified various cheeses and other milk products and tested milk samples for “off quality” flavors and potential health issues.
When the students weren’t involved in competing, they toured the fairgrounds including the six New England states buildings, each showcasing agricultural products important to their state economy. In the Maine building, students observed the long lines of people waiting to purchase delicious Maine baked potatoes! There were also many vendors set up around the fairgrounds along with a wide variety of free shows and exhibits, all focusing on New England agriculture.
After the FFA competitions were completed, the students drove across Massachusetts to tour Plimoth Plantation, which blends both modern and historical agriculture. Here, the students had the opportunity to speak with the tour guides about the Mayflower II, a full-size replica of the original ship the Pilgrims traveled on during their voyage to America. A replica of the colonists’ settlement and surrounding Native American villages were also visited.
While many people who work at Plimoth Plantation dress in period costumes and play the role of period individuals living and working in the 1600s, other Plantation employees remain in “present day” mode to narrate and discuss how the Mayflower brought the pilgrims across the Atlantic Ocean and their subsequent interactions with the native people who already resided there. Considering Plimoth Plantation is located in the town of Plymouth, the students made a visit to stop and see the famous Plymouth Rock.
Following their experiences learning about agriculture in the 1600s, the group traveled back to Maine for an extensive half-day tour of Idexx Corp. located in Westbrook. This global agricultural biotechnology and pharmaceutical company produces a variety of animal health care and water quality products, including test kits a veterinarian would use to identify canine heartworm and milk and water quality inspectors. Idexx is one of the largest employers in the state of Maine with global reach, and it fits in perfectly with what the Ashland FFA advisers hope to teach their students about the connections between science and business.
Idexx employs people in a wide range of jobs associated with agriculture, from scientists performing research in state-of-the-art laboratories, to production line workers assembling kids and equipment. Ashland students toured many areas of this immense facility learning how Idexx develops, tests, markets and ships their very successful products to individuals and businesses worldwide.
Each stop on their trip was unique and the students were welcomed along the way with the tour guides and employees going above their expectations. The students and advisers of the Ashland FFA wish to express their gratitude for all who made this trip possible for them.
Masardis dog clinic
The town of Masardis will be hosting a dog clinic Saturday, Nov. 23 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Masardis Municipal Office on School Street in Masardis. There are fees associated with this clinic, which is open to residents of Masardis and Oxbow Plantation.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and the surrounding areas. She can be reached at 227-7760 or Feenhop@aol.com.
