More than "Future Farmers"

The FFA officially stopped being called "Future Farmers of America" in 1988 when the organization changed its name to the "National FFA Organization" to better reflect the growing diversity within the agricultural industry beyond traditional farming - including science, technology, and business aspects.

"The letters 'FFA' stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change. But FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers; FFA also welcomes members who aspire to be teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more.

"For this reason, the name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture" (Source: www.ffa.org).

The Decatur County Museum has an FFA exhibit in our alumni area that includes several scrapbooks from 1954-1980. The following are different things I pulled from those scrapbooks as well as from our collection of DCHS yearbooks.

This is one of the oldest FFA picture I can find from the DCHS yearbooks. Thankfully, it includes names.

(Sitting) Lloyd Walinder, Elmer May, Marvin Asbahr, Rex Carlswell, Rex Wurm, Ora Daugherty, Dean Groneweg, John Nauer, Karl Post, Billy Fowler, Darrel Boutz, Lloyd Daugherty;

(second row) Maurice Anderson, Francis Hurst, Donald Jenkins, Galin Tevis, Lyle Pummer, Frederic Reith, Donald Mines, Howard Morton, Wayne Counter, Harold Norton, Kenneth Urban;

(third row) Waldean Witt, Edwin Noren, Reinhard May, Clarence Van Vleet, Max Alstrom, John Benda, Elmer Zodrow, Dale McClaury, Robert Riley, Harold Walton, Dale Simpson;

(back row) Dale Boutz, Claude Van Vleet, Harold Thorne, Martin May, Hugh Fawcett, Myron Johnson, Loren Welsh, Jimmy McKay, Russell Vernon, Waldemar Marcuson, and Lester Chilson.

"Many of the members of our local institute of learning are complete strangers to one of D.C.H.S's largest departments, agriculture. Fifty-seven boys are participating in what has so deftly been called 'Mood-i-culture,' [after adviser Lloyd Moody] this year, and all are present members of the Oberlin Chapter of the Future Farmers of America.

"Shop work, judging, and scientific farming are included in this program. Unlike many academic high school courses, agriculture is a year-round course. Each boy keeps a record of his yearly earnings and farming activities. While many a biology student works fast and furious to catch up on a nine-weeks notebook, one will find the ag student catching up on his record book.

"These boys are actually just a bunch of capitalists. The net worth of the entire chapter for 1952 was $127,222.26. That's an average of $2,231.93 per student. Most of this money was accumulated by raising 65,679 pounds of pork, 87,208 pounds of beef, and 19,586 bushels of wheat. Not bad for a bunch of kids!

"After a 3,000 or 4,000-year trial period, it has become evident that farming is here to stay, and the D.C.H.S. agriculture department, under the supervision of Lloyd Moody is helping to make it a bigger and better industry."

[Pictured are examples of individual pages from the 1954 and 1955 scrapbooks. Each Chapter Farmer and Greenhand has a page that shows his projects.]

"After 23 years, the DCHS Aggies earned the school's first Gold Emblem."

The officers that year were Waldo Anderson - president; Gary Soderlund - vice president; Larry Guinn - secretary, Alvin Johnson - treasurer, Norman Tally - reporter, and Lynn Johnson - sentinel.

"Ag Boys have Excellent Turnout in '54-'55"

"The highlight of the 1954-55 vocational agriculture work over the state was May 2 and 3 at Kansas State College in Manhattan.

"It concluded a very successful season where Oberlin was concerned. Out of 235 agriculture departments, Oberlin and Stockton were the only schools in northwest Kansas to rank in the upper 15 or surnamed Gold Division. For Oberlin, this is a doubly important decision since this was her second consecutive year in the Gold Division.

"In the farm mechanics contest, Oberlin was still successful with Duane Unger and Charles Johnson representing the school. In the welding division, they ranged first in the state with Duane third high individual and Chuck seventh. Considering that they were the top team out of 102 teams represented, this is quite commendable."

Oberlin's State FFA Gold Emblem certificate

"The local FFA chapter came back from the National FFA Convention in Kansas City a few weeks ago with probably the first National Emblem DCHS has ever won.

"The award, called the National Chapter Award, gold division, was one of the 58 given in the United States and one of the two in Kansas. 8,990 teams participated in the contest.

"To win the award, Lloyd Moody, chapter adviser, reported that the local chapter has accumulated the record of one American farmer, 15 state farmers in the past 10 years, two state FFA officers in the past three years, has won district public speaking contests for the past three years, and has won many of the judging and ritual contests participated in for the past few years.

"Also outstanding was the fact that the chapter's net worth in 1955 was $55,616.08, one of the highest in the nation, and the average net worth per member was $1,158.66, whereas the national average was approximately $500."

Pictured with the award are (backr row) Don White, Norbert Zander, Eldon Johnson; (front row) Vyrl Rush, Robert Wurm, Charley Kelley.

The Oberlin FFA and FHA chapters often did several things together - work auctions, dances, taffy pulls, pizza parties, and box suppers. The FHA girls decorated boxes, and the FFA guys would bid on them. (Dancing are Roy Unger, Kathy DeMay, Sid Metcalf, and Mary Zander.)

The prize-winning boxes from the Christmas 1958 box supper/dance: Roxie Martin, Mary Zander, and Ann Brown:

From the 1967 yearbook: "Early in the evening a box supper had been held where a panel of FFA boys picked the winning box. Kathy Townsend, Sue Unger, and Linda Manning had dreamed up a beautiful vanilla-wafer house to win first prize." Pictured are Linda and Sue.

"Boxes hold surprises" - from the 1970 scrapbook

"The annual FHA-FFA box supper will be held Dec. 18. in the DCHS shop room.

"An FFA prince and princess chosen from the junior class will be crowned. The theme for this year's box supper is 'Wintertime,' and the girls will decorate accordingly."

Pictured below are ?, ? Shelia Bailey?, Elaine Hessenflow?, Charlene Larue and Julie Helmkamp. (If you can help me with names of the other girls in the photo, please email the information to lirmbrenda@gmail.com.)

At the box supper, the FHA prince and the FFA princess (later the FFA Sweetheart) were crowned. (1966 Prince and Princess - Jerry Fortin and Connie Olson.)

The 1960 FFA Chapter was the second DCHS chapter to win the coveted National Gold Emblem. Officers were Don Guinn - adviser, Duane Carman - reporter, Don Macfee - vice president; Bill Machart - president; Dale Miller - treasurer, Leland Cody - secretary, and Steve Reist - sentinel.

Vice President Don Macfee and President Bill Machart show off their National Gold Emblem.

Junior land-judging team - Leland Cody, Larry Ayers, Rodrick Fringer, Duane Carman, James Plotts, Gary Zodrow, and Elvin Beneda.

"Unger is Top"

"Ralph Unger took first in the information contest in the FFA Leadership School held at DCHS Sept. 26.

"Ralph got the only perfect score in the local contest and the only such paper anywhere in the state; this enabled him to take first place in Kansas.

"Ralph is a senior and president of the local chapter of FFA."

"DCHS Future Farmers win Gold Emblem Chapter Award"

"The DHS FFA chapter was one of 24 in the state receiving the Gold Emblem Chapter Award at the State FFA Convention held in Manhattan, April 27 and 28. This is the highest award that a chapter can win in the state. From the 24 chapters, two will be chosen to represent Kansas for the National Emblem Award.

"Supervised farming, cooperation, community service, leadership, conduct of meetings, scholarship, recreation, public relations, and participation in state and national activities are the areas a chapter must participate in to be eligible for the gold award.

A few of the activities that the local chapter participated in included judging contests, farming programs, mixing minerals for farmers, cleaning athletic field, operating concession stand at football games, sending delegates to state and national conventions, sending news reports to the state, taking trips, and participating in a box supper. Also all officers had at least a "C" average in their school work.

"Outstanding Future Farmer"

"Oberlin's Future Farmers of America are celebrating National FFA Week, Feb. 16-23. And one of the outstanding members of the local chapter is Vice President Gene Morford, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Morford, rural route 3, Oberlin.

"In addition to farming 100 acres of Herb Ufford's land, the ambitious DCHS junior has, during the past year, farrowed three sows, fed out 50 feeder pigs and cared for two cows. He helps with farm chores and finds time to make the high school wrestling team. Incidentally, he owns a third interest in the feed roller-mixer. (Dad owns two-thirds.)"

"Chapter Awards"

"Jim Fredrickson, Oberlin Chapter reporter, presented the chapter awards to FFA members Friday night during the Parent and Son Banquet held in the DCHS cafeteria. They are (front row) along with their awards, Ron Fowler, Star Greenhand; Steve Schissler, Herndon farm safety; Gerald Benda, Ludell swine; and Mike Peter, Selden home improvement; (back row) Rick Fiala, public speaking, livestock farming, and Chapter Star Farmer; Marvin May, electricity; Mike Pollnow, Oberlin water conservation; Chuck Hessenflow, Oberlin beef; and Fred Wessel, Selden crops.

1969 Officers: (back row) Dan Lippelmann - treasurer, Fred Wessel - reporter, Mike Pollnow - sentinel; (front row) Marvin May - vice president, Rick Fiala - president, Steve Noren - secretary.

Greenhands (back row) Rod Bryan, Don Fowler, Steve Soderlund, Mark Rydquist; (front row) Martin Carmen, Craig Larson, Mark Walinder, Richard Anderson, Dan Eiler, Pat Fisher. (Those are green hands on their shirts and jackets.)

1970 Chapter Farmers: (back row) Mitchell Farr, David Juenemann, George Wessel, Doug Williby; (second row) Roy Farris, David Koerperich, Wayne Ashwege, Bill Steinmetz, Larry Alstrom; (front row) Lyle Hackney, Ron Blackwell, Terry Lippelmann, Dennis Anderson, Kent Euhus.

1970 State Chorus Members - Evan Jorn, Mike Pollnow.

"Eight Senior Boys Attend Stock Show" - from the Oberlin Herald

"Eight Senior boys - Bill Anderson, Lyle Hackney, Steve Noren, Dan Wasson, Phil Wurm, Mick Rydquist, and Steve Soderlund went to Denver on Saturday for the National Western Stock Show. Sponsors for the trip were Don Guinn and Willard Noren.

"Saturday, the boys spent at Celebrity Lanes in Denver, shopped in Cinderella City, and completed their day at the stock show and rodeo.

"The boys awakened early Sunday morning and headed for the mountains. After dinner at Stapleton Field, the boys returned home.

"Tickets for the stock show were furnished by the Farmers National Bank of Oberlin and Central Bank and Trust Co. of Denver. "

"Bryan Leads FFA Chapter" by Pat Fisher

"Exercising his leadership abilities and demonstrating the qualities of a determined and dedicated Future Farmer of America, chapter president Rodney Bryan, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Bryan of Oberlin, is one of the most outstanding individuals in Oberlin's FFA Chapter.

"His leadership achievements and his farming program have won him the degrees of greenhand, chapter farmer, and state farmer.

"Bryan is currently engaged in a farming operation on a one-third basis with his father and brother. This operation consists of farrowing hogs and feeding out all pigs raised, usually about 1,000 a year. They also raise their own feed and pasture the animals on their own rye and alfalfa. Also to increase profits, they do most of their own veterinary work. In continuing this operation, Bryan hopes to expand by building a finishing house.

"He also has a several farming interests apart from his partnership. He has 1 cow, 2 horses, and 20 acres of irrigated corn. In the area of crop farming, he hopes to be involved in his father and brother's operation in the future."

"FFA places 2nd in dairy contest" - from the Oberlin Herald

"Paul Babcock was extremely pleased with the boys' performance, especially the freshman members, at the District Dairy Contest held March 15 at Hays. He feels they will continue to have a strong team for the next several years.

"Stockton placed first with 761 points. Oberlin's first team placed second with 754 points followed by Smith Center with 694 points. Twenty-four teams participated, with approximately 100 FFA'ers.

"Mark Olson was second in the individuals, with Dale Meitl fourth and Dave Chambers ninth.

"Members of Oberlin's first team were Mark Olson, Dale Meitl, Dave Chambers, Randy Wilson, Jim Muehlenkamp and Mike Simpson.

"Second team members were Terry Rush, Dan Koerperich, Lynn Rippe and Charles Colson. This team placed 15th."

FFA members who participated in the FFA District Dairy judging contest are shown (back row ) Terry Rush, Charles Colson, Jim Muehlenkamp, Lynn Rippe, Dan Koerperich; (front row) Randy Wilson, Dave Chambers, Mark Olson, Dale Meitl, Mike Simpson.

(Seated) Penny Fisher, Brian Simonsson. (Standing:) Jack Holmes, Tom Neff.

1981 Greenhand Conference. Pictured are Duane Dunn- adviser, Jan Overmiller- Northwest District Sentinel, Mark Schultz, Roger May, Brenda Urban, Kevin Bennett, Teresa Snyder, Tim Ohlde- State President, Jay Bohenblust - State Vice President.

The Dekalb Award is the highest chapter award a DCHS FFA member can receive. The following were Dekalb Award Recipients:

I would like to compile an accurate list of all Northwest Kanas FFA District officers from DCHS. This is what I've found so far going through scrapbooks and yearbooks:

1954 - Waldo Anderson?

1956 - Duane Unger?

1968 - Donna Guinn - District Sweetheart

1974 - Cynthia Schissler - District Sweetheart

1985 - Mary Wilson - District Reporter

1986 - Mary Wilson - District President

1987 - Marlene Tally - District Reporter

1988 - Kayla Unger - District Reporter

1988 - Dea Macfee - District Sweetheart

1992 - Cody Richards - District Reporter

1994 - Michelle Stoney - District Secretary

2006 - Kayla Zodrow - District Reporter

2007 - Kayla Zodrow - District President

2010 - Nolan Wasson - District Vice President

(If I am missing someone or have incorrect or incomplete information, please let me know by emailing me at lirmbrenda@gmail.com).

Upcoming articles -

FFA Jacket and emblem

the FFA Creed

Girls in FFA

State and American Farmers, State officers