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<v Speaker 1>All right, welcome to Local AG. I'm your host, Melody Divers,

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<v Speaker 1>a member of the Bedford County Economic Development Agricultural Advisory Board.

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<v Speaker 1>Our Local AGG post aims to bridge the agworld with

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<v Speaker 1>a non egg world and strengthen community connections. So we're

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<v Speaker 1>recovering from February's disrespectful weather. So this is actually our

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<v Speaker 1>February podcast, even though it's March. So anyway, we have

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<v Speaker 1>to do some rescheduling, but we're here and we're really excited.

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<v Speaker 1>This is our I believe our seventh podcast, wouldy, I think,

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<v Speaker 1>I think we're still under ten, but we're getting there,

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<v Speaker 1>so I think this is our seventh podcast, and today

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<v Speaker 1>we are highlighting all things FFA and we have a

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<v Speaker 1>good group of folks here, so to just jump right in,

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<v Speaker 1>we have miss Tomlinson here with a group of students

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<v Speaker 1>from Liberty High School. Do you want to go ahead

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<v Speaker 1>and introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about

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<v Speaker 1>what you do? Miss t Sure?

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<v Speaker 2>Absolutely, I am Lindsay Tomlinson. I've been teaching at Liberty

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<v Speaker 2>High School in Bedford for about eighteen years, been teaching

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<v Speaker 2>for about twenty years total agriculture in Virginia. Currently, I

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<v Speaker 2>teach things like horticulture, greenhouse production, veterinary science, super fun stuff.

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<v Speaker 2>But I've taught everything from the shop classes at Liberty

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<v Speaker 2>to all the different animal science classes and all the

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<v Speaker 2>basic AG classes everything in between. At Liberty High School,

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<v Speaker 2>we also have a middle school program where they serve

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<v Speaker 2>kids ages six I'm sorry, grades six through eight, and

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<v Speaker 2>they have great agroscience program there in an FFA as well.

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<v Speaker 2>And at the high school we have three advisors, three

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<v Speaker 2>ag teachers, and we stay really busy with our FFA program.

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<v Speaker 1>Wow that I'm exhausted listening. I know, last night at

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<v Speaker 1>the AGG board meeting, you were saying all the things

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<v Speaker 1>that were coming up on your calendar, and I was like,

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<v Speaker 1>oh my gosh, I'm so I'm so grateful that the

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<v Speaker 1>students have someone like you advocating for them. And now

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<v Speaker 1>can you help me with this question. How many current

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<v Speaker 1>FFAs are there in this county?

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<v Speaker 2>In this county, we have three high school chapters. We

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<v Speaker 2>have Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy. We have Smith Mountain

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<v Speaker 2>which is actually stand River High School, and then we

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<v Speaker 2>have Liberty. And then we have two awesome middle school chapters.

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<v Speaker 2>We have Liberty Middle FFA and we have Stanton River

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<v Speaker 2>Middle that's excellent.

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<v Speaker 1>And what do you see about the the interest level

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<v Speaker 1>from year.

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<v Speaker 2>To year, So you know, it's kind of funny, you

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<v Speaker 2>don't really see it change very much. You would think

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<v Speaker 2>that with all the different things that kids could be

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<v Speaker 2>involved in nowadays, that maybe those who are attracted to

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<v Speaker 2>agriculture might not stay steady or might not grow, but

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<v Speaker 2>that's that's not the case. Kids find so much value

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<v Speaker 2>in the AD classes because it prepares them for all

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<v Speaker 2>kinds of careers. We have kids that you know, stay

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<v Speaker 2>in the agriculture industry, but also there's kids that find

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of value in the leadership and the citizenship

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<v Speaker 2>portions of ag ED and f f A, as well

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<v Speaker 2>as just the basic sciences that takes them all kinds

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<v Speaker 2>of places. So I think we've been really fortunate to see,

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<v Speaker 2>you know, real steady numbers of kids each year, and

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<v Speaker 2>Liberty Liberty High School has a tremendous amount of awesome

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<v Speaker 2>offerings from their theater department and band and other career

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<v Speaker 2>and technical classes. So you know, having to share the

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<v Speaker 2>number of kids we have is and has always been

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<v Speaker 2>a challenge, but we've been able to hold steady and

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<v Speaker 2>if not grow from year tier.

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<v Speaker 1>That's so amazing because what she said was there's other

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<v Speaker 1>things you maybe with the trends in how life is

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<v Speaker 1>now that you would think that it might be something

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<v Speaker 1>from the wayside that they would just not be interested in.

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<v Speaker 1>So kudos for retaining and increasing those numbers, but making

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<v Speaker 1>it something that all the students can enjoy. And do

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<v Speaker 1>you find that a lot of them have no ag background?

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<v Speaker 2>Absolutely, And two of the young ladies you'll talk to

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<v Speaker 2>today are just that they are students with no prior

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<v Speaker 2>background in agriculture.

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<v Speaker 1>I love this. All right, Well, we are going to

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<v Speaker 1>talk to the students here and so we're going to

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<v Speaker 1>do a quick mic change and while they're doing that,

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<v Speaker 1>the folks that we have with us today from Liberty FFA.

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<v Speaker 1>We have Natalie Corbin. She's a senior currently serving as

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<v Speaker 1>a Liberty FFA chapter reporter, and she has competed in

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<v Speaker 1>the National Vet Science Career Development Event as a freshman

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<v Speaker 1>and has been successfully in CREED Speaking, Prepared public Speaking,

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<v Speaker 1>and disc USh and Meet. Natalie enjoys taking care of

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<v Speaker 1>her family's dogs and chickens and plans to study to

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<v Speaker 1>become a licensed vet tech one day. That's amazing, wonderful.

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome Natalie, thank you, thank you. Next we have Clay

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<v Speaker 1>Clay Johnson is a sophomore and currently serves as our

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<v Speaker 1>Liberty FFA Parliamentarian. Clay competes in the Stockman's Livestock Judging

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<v Speaker 1>and forestry career development events. And when Clay is not

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<v Speaker 1>taking care of his beef cows, he's also enjoying the

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<v Speaker 1>leadership and public speaking opportunities that FFA has to offer,

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<v Speaker 1>and he is considering studying law, possibly focusing on agriculture. Interesting. Welcome,

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<v Speaker 1>thank you, you're welcome. And Tony Redfern is a senior

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<v Speaker 1>and I know you from the scholarship competitions. Yeah, She's

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<v Speaker 1>currently serving as Liberty's FFA Chapter treasure. She enjoys competing

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<v Speaker 1>in the Veterinarian Science it's and Agriculture Education CDEs and

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<v Speaker 1>her favorite thing about ag ED and FFA is the

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<v Speaker 1>knowledge gained can be applied to so many different careers

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<v Speaker 1>and facets of life. Tony enjoy's leadership workshops and learning

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<v Speaker 1>about advocating for agricultural interest. Tony intends to become a veterinarian,

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<v Speaker 1>possibly focusing on food animals. Welcome, thank you. So those

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<v Speaker 1>bios were written by miss Tea or did you know

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<v Speaker 1>that she was going to say all those cool things

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<v Speaker 1>about you?

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<v Speaker 3>Kinda? I knew she was going to include like what

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<v Speaker 3>we are positions, uh huh, and what we've done so

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<v Speaker 3>far and what we plan to do. I didn't really

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<v Speaker 3>expect her to like include stuff that we value and

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<v Speaker 3>believe in and hope to like aspire to advocate for.

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<v Speaker 1>Well, I'm guessing that she notices this about y'all and

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<v Speaker 1>she wanted us to make sure others saw that too.

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<v Speaker 1>So I love the bio and I hope that made

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<v Speaker 1>you smile. So we're going to just jump right in

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<v Speaker 1>and you guys just answer as you feel comfortable. Well,

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<v Speaker 1>but the first thing is, it's an easy question. So

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<v Speaker 1>this podcast is to bridge folks that aren't in the

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<v Speaker 1>agworld with the agworld. So we've just been freely seeing FFA.

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<v Speaker 1>But can someone tell me what FFA actually means for

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<v Speaker 1>our listeners?

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<v Speaker 4>Yeah, so, technically FFA means Future Farmers of America, but

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<v Speaker 4>recently it's or I wouldn't say recently, but theoretically the

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<v Speaker 4>name is National FFA Organization. Basically, it's connecting all the

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<v Speaker 4>farmers with all the outside areas. It's not just about

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<v Speaker 4>you know, hands on growing crops or hands on with animals.

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<v Speaker 4>It's about all the diverse mechanics and biologies and even production.

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<v Speaker 4>It touches on all areas of life. So FFA doesn't

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<v Speaker 4>just mean one thing.

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<v Speaker 1>I would say, I love that. I have gone back

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<v Speaker 1>and looked at my dad's yearbooks and FFA was Future

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<v Speaker 1>Farmers of America and it was normally the pictures of

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<v Speaker 1>the guys on their tractors and there was crop production

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<v Speaker 1>stuff like that. And I'm really happy how the pendulum

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<v Speaker 1>is swinging, like what you just said, all the different

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<v Speaker 1>facets that are included. Uh, I think it's it's a

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<v Speaker 1>wise move and I'm grateful for it. And I can

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<v Speaker 1>already tell I have a group of well spoken guests here,

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<v Speaker 1>and I'm grateful for that. So the next question is

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<v Speaker 1>we were supposed to do this in February, and that

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<v Speaker 1>is that was intentional. Who would like to tackle this question?

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<v Speaker 1>Why is FFA in February? Why were we trying to

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<v Speaker 1>match that up?

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<v Speaker 3>So February is a very important time for the national

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<v Speaker 3>f FA organization and local chapters as well, because during February,

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<v Speaker 3>one specific week is known as NATIONALFA Week, and during

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<v Speaker 3>that time, each day kind of has a specific like

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<v Speaker 3>UH area kind of that dedicates to what members can

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<v Speaker 3>do that day or like activities or ways to give

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<v Speaker 3>back to the organization or the communities. And so February

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<v Speaker 3>is a very eventful time for our chapter as well,

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<v Speaker 3>just meeting with a lot of our local businesses and

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<v Speaker 3>showing our appreciation for teachers and all that. So I

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<v Speaker 3>think that's kind of why we chose February for doing

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<v Speaker 3>this podcast.

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<v Speaker 1>But we're just pretending it's February right now because of

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<v Speaker 1>the weather. So Clay tell us about some of the

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<v Speaker 1>activities that y'all had lined up. I know that it

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<v Speaker 1>was kind of hiccuped because of the weather, But what

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<v Speaker 1>were some of the activities and specifically your favorite thing

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<v Speaker 1>we're doing FFA week.

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<v Speaker 5>Well, we do a lot of different stuff, especially during

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<v Speaker 5>FA Week. It's a fun time always, so we'll dress

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<v Speaker 5>up with different things. We always like doing anything but

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<v Speaker 5>a backpack day ag edition, so it's hysterical. We'll do feedbags, wheelbarrows,

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<v Speaker 5>stuff like that. Officers team will dress up in different

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<v Speaker 5>our field dress, just showing off our good attire and

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<v Speaker 5>how good we look. But we just do a lot

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<v Speaker 5>of different Spirit Days in the School of Partics in that.

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<v Speaker 1>As well, so you don't have to be an f

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<v Speaker 1>f A member to enjoy the Spirit week.

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<v Speaker 5>No, we've partner with the school as well.

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<v Speaker 1>Okay, excellent, wonderful. I have heard a couple of you

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<v Speaker 1>say something about service projects. Talk to me about that.

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<v Speaker 3>So service projects in f f A are opportunities for

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<v Speaker 3>our members to gain community service experience. We typically do

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<v Speaker 3>that by We typically do that by kind of helping

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<v Speaker 3>out our local nonprofit organizations. One very important one that

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<v Speaker 3>we like to go back to a lot every year.

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<v Speaker 3>We try to go at least once a year is

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<v Speaker 3>the GAFE Center out in Manita, and we help clean

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<v Speaker 3>up there whenever they're open by help either making getting

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<v Speaker 3>together for the families that use their services or help

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<v Speaker 3>cleaning up their store.

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<v Speaker 1>It seem like an extra set of hand. Yeah.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, so this year, yeah, so this year, actually me

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<v Speaker 3>and our secretary we helped make some new content for

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<v Speaker 3>their social medias because one of their directors had told

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<v Speaker 3>us they kind of need help with the new SMO

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<v Speaker 3>gifts drives that you're doing and they don't really know

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<v Speaker 3>how to market to audiences on how they need. Yeah,

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<v Speaker 3>so me and her we partner together. We made some

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<v Speaker 3>content with some of the workers there, and we put

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<v Speaker 3>it together right then and there, and then you know,

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<v Speaker 3>she loved it. So she's like, maybe we can get

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<v Speaker 3>you guys come back next year.

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<v Speaker 1>And help all that is connection.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, that's what I'm really looking forward to.

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<v Speaker 1>I love that. Are there other service projects that you

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<v Speaker 1>have done or are that you are planning? Yeah?

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<v Speaker 4>So we actually already did a deer drive.

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<v Speaker 1>I was wondering if you're going to talk about that.

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<v Speaker 4>The deer drive with the Hunters for the Hungry. Basically,

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<v Speaker 4>it was hosted at bever co Op thanks for their hope,

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<v Speaker 4>we could use our parking lot and we just had

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<v Speaker 4>any sort of hunter that morning go out if they

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<v Speaker 4>wanted to and bring whatever they could get basically, and

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<v Speaker 4>we donated it to Hunters for the Hungry and then

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<v Speaker 4>they use it to give to people in the Bedford

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<v Speaker 4>area who need food and resources like that.

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<v Speaker 1>That is amazing. Do you have a number on how

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<v Speaker 1>many you were.

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<v Speaker 4>Able to get or I think it was thirteen thirteen.

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<v Speaker 1>Years and that all went completely to Hunters for the Hungry.

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<v Speaker 1>That is amazing and kind that you all did that

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<v Speaker 1>now doesn't mean a long day for y'all at check

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<v Speaker 1>like do you have to be there for the check

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<v Speaker 1>in or so? What was your time frame? And I'm

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<v Speaker 1>guessing this is a Saturday.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I believe it was from nine to eight.

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<v Speaker 1>It was a long day on a Saturday, Oh goodness.

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<v Speaker 1>And so how many students were there kind of holding

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<v Speaker 1>down the fort?

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<v Speaker 5>Is this?

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<v Speaker 3>Some did have like other stuff that like you say

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<v Speaker 3>it in shifts? Yeah, okay, it was. We managed to

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<v Speaker 3>get about five or six fifteen Yeah yeah.

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<v Speaker 1>Wow from six as shift. Yeah, yeah, I understand. But nonetheless,

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<v Speaker 1>what I'm hearing is there's a Saturday, and you've been

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<v Speaker 1>in school all week and you have other responsibilities. But

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<v Speaker 1>this group of students worked hard to make sure those

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<v Speaker 1>hours were covered, and so not even to glean anything

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<v Speaker 1>for themselves, but to give to someone else. And so

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<v Speaker 1>I just think that's a testament for what we're working

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<v Speaker 1>with here. You know, I I did not have f

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<v Speaker 1>FA in my high school. It is there now at

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<v Speaker 1>my former high school. And I can just see, like

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<v Speaker 1>the way you all are speaking, you're prepared things like that.

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<v Speaker 1>I just hope I just want the community to really

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<v Speaker 1>know that this is a great group, whether it's this

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<v Speaker 1>FFA or another FFA chapter. I just really it's on

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<v Speaker 1>my heart that just folks need to support what you

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<v Speaker 1>are doing. And in saying that, is there anything coming

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<v Speaker 1>up that you're like, yes, we need the community to

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<v Speaker 1>be on our side for this.

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<v Speaker 5>We have an alumni group that does a lot of

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<v Speaker 5>stuff for us. So facebook page they have a lot

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<v Speaker 5>of cool things coming up, So you can check out

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<v Speaker 5>their page, Liberty FFA Alumni and Supporters Group, and you

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<v Speaker 5>know you'll see them at betfor co Op or chatter

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<v Speaker 5>supply out there somewhere just doing like hot dog funders.

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<v Speaker 5>There's things that they can do to help us because

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<v Speaker 5>a lot of our trips can get costly sometimes, so

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<v Speaker 5>they do help with that a lot, like our national

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<v Speaker 5>convention to the Indianapolis. They're just a great group of

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<v Speaker 5>people to help us out.

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<v Speaker 1>So if we're if someone's in town and they see

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<v Speaker 1>that there's a bake sale or a hot dog sale

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<v Speaker 1>or something like that in the pancake Breakfast, something like

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<v Speaker 1>that that's going towards FFA, they need to pull the

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<v Speaker 1>car over and get in line and help with the fundraising.

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<v Speaker 1>So you're seeing fundraising monetarily gifts. Monetary gifts are helpful

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<v Speaker 1>for all the different things that you are doing. Okay, excellent.

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<v Speaker 1>And then this here's a fun question. I want to

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<v Speaker 1>hear from each of you what your favorite part of

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<v Speaker 1>FFA is and if you have more than one answer,

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<v Speaker 1>that's totally acceptable.

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<v Speaker 4>I was about to say, part of my favorite is

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<v Speaker 4>really just the connection you make with the people. I

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<v Speaker 4>know that may sound like a cheesy answer, but it's true.

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<v Speaker 4>Majority of my friends come from FFA. You really get

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<v Speaker 4>a nice knit family when you join FFA. You get

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<v Speaker 4>to travel together, you get to learn together, you get

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<v Speaker 4>to grow. Building leadership is also another part. Without the

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<v Speaker 4>leadership skills that FFA has given me, I don't think

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<v Speaker 4>I would be where I am today with success, with

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<v Speaker 4>careers and competitions in itself, just all around. It's a

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<v Speaker 4>very beneficial organization and it helps you build lifelong relationships.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I think just what you said. I think you're

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<v Speaker 1>going to have a lot of transferable skills in life

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<v Speaker 1>because it, you know, going from a student in FFA

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<v Speaker 1>to be in an adult, whether you know, a college, career,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, whatever, wherever your next path is just the

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<v Speaker 1>fact that you can speak and clearly and make eye contact.

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<v Speaker 1>That's going to get you so so far in life.

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<v Speaker 1>And I just really come in each of you. But

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<v Speaker 1>since we're speaking with you right now, I think that

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<v Speaker 1>that in itself is going to be such a carry over.

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<v Speaker 1>Now I said earlier that, and I haven't forgotten you too.

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<v Speaker 1>I did not have FFA growing up, but I was

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<v Speaker 1>in the AG club at the college I went to,

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<v Speaker 1>and a lot of the members were former FFA, and

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<v Speaker 1>I could see that the way the meetings were held

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<v Speaker 1>and carrying on, and it was like you said, who

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<v Speaker 1>you surround yourself with and the connections you make a

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<v Speaker 1>really important because I ended up marrying the AG club

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<v Speaker 1>dance so that worked out well for me. But on

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<v Speaker 1>a serious note, all of our our friends that we've

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<v Speaker 1>made through the AG club and if there we're still friends,

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<v Speaker 1>and those connections are important. So in general, it's always

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<v Speaker 1>important who who you hang out with. So yeah, perfect answer, Natalie,

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<v Speaker 1>All right, he's going next.

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<v Speaker 3>This is a very unpopular opinion, but I like the

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<v Speaker 3>workshops we get to do ENOUGHFA because they take really

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<v Speaker 3>Corby just roat her eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>They're a little shade over here across the table, that's

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<v Speaker 1>all right.

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<v Speaker 3>Because they take really fun activities and make you take

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<v Speaker 3>a different perspective, either about situations you see out in

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<v Speaker 3>the real world or about yourself, and you can really

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<v Speaker 3>learn a lot from just one workshop and another thing.

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<v Speaker 3>I like this kind of what Corbyn said, how preparing

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<v Speaker 3>yourself and actually competing in these competitions have given has

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<v Speaker 3>given me a lot of confidence that if I didn't

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<v Speaker 3>join FFA, I for sure would not have had So

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<v Speaker 3>you know, if I didn't join FFA three years ago,

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<v Speaker 3>I would not be able to talk to you. I

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<v Speaker 3>would not be able to look an your eyes. I

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<v Speaker 3>wouldn't I wouldn't be here today at all.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean, you seem very comfortable speaking to us, and

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<v Speaker 1>I got to I just want to say again, I mean,

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<v Speaker 1>you do speak so so well this group, all of you,

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<v Speaker 1>and I'm sure there's others in your membership too that

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<v Speaker 1>are the same way. I want to go back to

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<v Speaker 1>what you said about a workshop. So for folks that

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<v Speaker 1>don't know what a FFA workshop is, can you just

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<v Speaker 1>break that down for us?

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<v Speaker 3>So a workshop is kind of just a term that

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<v Speaker 3>FFA uses, whether that's at like that's chapter workshops or

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<v Speaker 3>workshops at a state event or even the national event.

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<v Speaker 3>They have workshops too. A workshop is like a so

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<v Speaker 3>they'll take a group of people who decide they want

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<v Speaker 3>to do this workshop and don't give them activity about

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<v Speaker 3>like building skills on leadership or something kind of make

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<v Speaker 3>them realize. I kind of to me workshops. They do

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<v Speaker 3>workshops in order to help people be better. I guess

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<v Speaker 3>it's kind of like a self improvement thing. I really

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<v Speaker 3>don't know how to explain workshops.

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<v Speaker 1>So our workshops on like how to build something or

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<v Speaker 1>is it more internal? Like more internal? Okay, so like

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<v Speaker 1>a coaching for how to present yourself and speak and

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<v Speaker 1>things like that. All right, that is great. I mean,

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<v Speaker 1>this is all all of these things in your toolbox.

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<v Speaker 1>You are going to be way ahead of your peers

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<v Speaker 1>just because you already have this. This is great. I'm

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<v Speaker 1>so excited for your futures that I know they're going

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<v Speaker 1>to be sparkling and dazzling. Clay, did we say the

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<v Speaker 1>best for last? Okay? I would say something like that.

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<v Speaker 1>All right, what's your favorite part about FFA?

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<v Speaker 5>I believe y'all kind of touch on this, but it

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<v Speaker 5>just gets you out of your comfort comfort shell, Like

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<v Speaker 5>when I joined in seventh grade, I wouldn't be able

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<v Speaker 5>to talk to anybody pretty much, but my advisor kind

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<v Speaker 5>of pushed me to do other things. And, like Tony said,

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<v Speaker 5>his workshop, so it gets you to meet other people

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<v Speaker 5>around you, like your traveling places, You're doing different contests,

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<v Speaker 5>You're meeting people, You're meeting your local leaders, You're meeting

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<v Speaker 5>people all across the state and even the nation. Right,

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<v Speaker 5>And I believe it's just an awesome opportunity to get

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<v Speaker 5>out there and learn more about the world. Right.

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<v Speaker 1>I think when you said it gets you out of

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<v Speaker 1>your your comfort zone? How hard was that at the

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<v Speaker 1>beginning when this started?

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<v Speaker 5>Were you like, no, yeah, I thought about like what

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<v Speaker 5>am I doing here?

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<v Speaker 1>Did you two think that either when you had to

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<v Speaker 1>do things that maybe weren't so comfortable with speaking.

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<v Speaker 3>My very first time competing in contests was at the

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<v Speaker 3>state level, and I'm sitting there waiting to go into

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<v Speaker 3>the room to take one of the tests. I'm thinking,

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<v Speaker 3>what am I doing? What is going on here?

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<v Speaker 4>What did I sign up for?

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I'm just sitting there. I was like, I'm not

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<v Speaker 3>coming back to this. And then eventually school yar started again.

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<v Speaker 3>I end up getting another English class with Corbin and

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<v Speaker 3>then she was like, are you doing f a vegan?

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<v Speaker 1>I was like, you know what, Yeah, let's do it.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah?

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<v Speaker 1>All right. So that is important because sometimes, like Clay said,

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<v Speaker 1>when we push ourselves to do something that's maybe not

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<v Speaker 1>natural to us, it seems like you all have understood

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<v Speaker 1>that you have the benefits that unfold when you do

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<v Speaker 1>push yourself to do hard things, and sometimes doing hard things,

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<v Speaker 1>the bounty that we get from that harvest of doing

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<v Speaker 1>something hard really pays off. And I think y'all have

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<v Speaker 1>pay I'm just so impressed with you. I can't stop

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<v Speaker 1>saying that. I feel like a broken record. I'm just

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<v Speaker 1>so impressed with you, with you all. Okay, So if

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<v Speaker 1>someone's listening' is like, oh, I have a grandchild that

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<v Speaker 1>is in middle school or high school, or my daughter

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<v Speaker 1>such and such, what are the requirements for joy? Do

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<v Speaker 1>we have someone that can answer that. Yeah?

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<v Speaker 4>So the requirements basically, you have to be a middle

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<v Speaker 4>or high school student. And some middle school start at

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<v Speaker 4>like fifth grade, but like Bedford specifically starts at sixth grade. Sorry,

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<v Speaker 4>so you have to be a middle or high school student.

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<v Speaker 4>You have to pay fifteen dollars in dues. So it's

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<v Speaker 4>not much, but it's to get you through the year.

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<v Speaker 1>It's kind of just work like to cover some costs,

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<v Speaker 1>right exactly.

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<v Speaker 4>And you have to be taking an.

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<v Speaker 1>AD class okay, so that is important. Yes, And each

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<v Speaker 1>of you are in a AG class obviously because following

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<v Speaker 1>the rules. And I want to hear what your AD

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<v Speaker 1>classes that you're taking.

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<v Speaker 4>So this year I am taking veterinary science too, and

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<v Speaker 4>greenhouse production and management.

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<v Speaker 1>But you're wanting to be a that tech eventually. This

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<v Speaker 1>makes sense, right, okay?

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<v Speaker 4>And prior had a VET one class that had to.

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<v Speaker 1>Like build it that the prerequisite to go into US.

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<v Speaker 1>And what are your AD classes this year?

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<v Speaker 3>This year, I'm actually taking two like Corbon Veterinary Science

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<v Speaker 3>one and then fishery Fisheries and wildlife.

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<v Speaker 1>Oh that's interesting. But you also want to go on

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<v Speaker 1>the VET track as well, okay, excellent, But you want

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<v Speaker 1>to be a large animal VET, mixed animal, mixed.

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<v Speaker 5>Animal okay, And I'm also on an animal pathway, I'm

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<v Speaker 5>taking small animal care this year.

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<v Speaker 1>All right, excellent. I just love I'm so nosy, so

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<v Speaker 1>I always love all of this. This is great. So

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<v Speaker 1>those are the requirements. Now do you have to sign up?

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<v Speaker 1>Like at the start of a semester a school year,

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<v Speaker 1>like how does what's the proper way.

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<v Speaker 3>We usually try to wrangle in members at the beginning

423
00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:47.519
<v Speaker 3>of the school year, like an open house or the

424
00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:50.680
<v Speaker 3>first month or two of school, we'll have we'll set

425
00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:54.440
<v Speaker 3>up a little booth at lunch. People can come fill

426
00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:57.319
<v Speaker 3>out a form sign up for our remind and then

427
00:23:57.480 --> 00:24:00.799
<v Speaker 3>hand us their fifteen dollars membership dues and uh. But

428
00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:03.319
<v Speaker 3>most of the time we'll get a few stragglers along

429
00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:07.400
<v Speaker 3>the year who decide, you know, maybe maybe I should

430
00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.200
<v Speaker 3>join ffit, so.

431
00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.839
<v Speaker 1>They can't you like it at the start of the

432
00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:12.119
<v Speaker 1>school year semester.

433
00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:14.839
<v Speaker 3>He our ducks in the rogue right, actual itinerary of

434
00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:18.079
<v Speaker 3>many members we're gonna have like a kind of.

435
00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:20.720
<v Speaker 1>Like a get your game plan together?

436
00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.960
<v Speaker 3>Yes, how many members we're gonna have and how many

437
00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:25.920
<v Speaker 3>people decide they actually want to compete?

438
00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.079
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, excellent.

439
00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:29.440
<v Speaker 5>Especially in middle school, it's like a semester class. If

440
00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:32.160
<v Speaker 5>you have an ad class second semester, you don't really

441
00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.960
<v Speaker 5>learn about all the stuff that you can do until

442
00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.720
<v Speaker 5>that second semester.

443
00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:37.759
<v Speaker 3>See, that's a difficult thing about the the middle school

444
00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.920
<v Speaker 3>schedules because that's how it was for me. I didn't

445
00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:42.319
<v Speaker 3>take an that class to my second half of my

446
00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:45.559
<v Speaker 3>seventh grade year, so I don't know about FFA till well,

447
00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:48.480
<v Speaker 3>but they got you now Yeah, I got you now strapped.

448
00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:55.480
<v Speaker 1>Oh my gosh, you guys are hoot. Okay, So I

449
00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:58.160
<v Speaker 1>guess we've already touched on this. And if someone wants

450
00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:01.839
<v Speaker 1>to give miss t had I want to hear. I

451
00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:04.079
<v Speaker 1>think you all have touched on this. Question is what

452
00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:07.400
<v Speaker 1>lasting effects do you think FFA will have on your futures?

453
00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:11.680
<v Speaker 1>And I really think you've you've got that under control.

454
00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:14.720
<v Speaker 1>I mean, kudos to your teacher.

455
00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.160
<v Speaker 3>Uh, but.

456
00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:19.079
<v Speaker 1>I just have to say, Lindsay, I got to call

457
00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:22.240
<v Speaker 1>you bad. You first, saments me. Lindsay, what is what

458
00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:27.000
<v Speaker 1>do you think their futures? And I'm talking about theirs,

459
00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:29.319
<v Speaker 1>meaning that chapters. What do you think their chapters look

460
00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:34.200
<v Speaker 1>their future looks like because of their FFA background. So

461
00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:36.039
<v Speaker 1>it's kind of funny. Excuse me.

462
00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:38.960
<v Speaker 2>Earlier, when you were saying about being an AG club

463
00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:43.599
<v Speaker 2>in college, I related to that so much because I

464
00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:48.400
<v Speaker 2>also did not have much of an EGG background, and

465
00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:52.960
<v Speaker 2>I was in college setting large animal science, and when

466
00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:57.359
<v Speaker 2>I was there, I met all these crazy FFA kids,

467
00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:01.880
<v Speaker 2>And honestly, I had no idea that FFA was a

468
00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:04.319
<v Speaker 2>real thing at that point. I had only ever heard

469
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:09.160
<v Speaker 2>about it in a country song. And I was so

470
00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:15.440
<v Speaker 2>just impressed and floored by all of these kids, and

471
00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:18.240
<v Speaker 2>they all had this FFA in common, and they were

472
00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:21.359
<v Speaker 2>telling me about their AD classes and all the things

473
00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:24.440
<v Speaker 2>they got to do, and I truly feel like I

474
00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:28.519
<v Speaker 2>missed out, Like I remember thinking that to myself, I

475
00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:32.119
<v Speaker 2>had no idea this was even a thing, and I

476
00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:34.079
<v Speaker 2>kind of fell in love with it just from looking

477
00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:36.720
<v Speaker 2>at the pictures on their dorm walls and talking to

478
00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:42.599
<v Speaker 2>them and knowing them as people. So I truly do feel,

479
00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:46.480
<v Speaker 2>twenty years into teaching and working with FFA kids that

480
00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:53.319
<v Speaker 2>it really does turn out solid, well rounded, employable people

481
00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:57.680
<v Speaker 2>who are amazing citizens within their community. The beauty of

482
00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:01.640
<v Speaker 2>social media, to someone like me, is is just invaluable

483
00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:05.559
<v Speaker 2>because I get to watch these guys ten twenty years

484
00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:09.680
<v Speaker 2>after they graduate high school, and it is so amazing

485
00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:12.200
<v Speaker 2>to get to see the things that they do, where

486
00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:16.799
<v Speaker 2>they go their careers, just how their life is impacted.

487
00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:20.839
<v Speaker 2>And maybe you know, for some they just took a

488
00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:23.240
<v Speaker 2>few AD classes, maybe they did a little effife in

489
00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:26.559
<v Speaker 2>high school, but you can still see things come through.

490
00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:29.839
<v Speaker 2>It resonates right, whether they're they're getting involved in different

491
00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:34.079
<v Speaker 2>things in their community, whether they're taking leadership positions in

492
00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:38.400
<v Speaker 2>their job, whether they joined the different clubs in college

493
00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:42.359
<v Speaker 2>or whatever trade school they went to, or you know,

494
00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:46.720
<v Speaker 2>whether they just dove into their career and felt confident

495
00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:50.519
<v Speaker 2>and moved up the ladder because of the you know,

496
00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.799
<v Speaker 2>the education that they had in high school. And I

497
00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:56.400
<v Speaker 2>expect that one hundred percent from these three as well

498
00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:58.359
<v Speaker 2>as well as it well as the rest of them.

499
00:27:58.880 --> 00:28:03.880
<v Speaker 2>Tony and Natalie our seniors, and they are both getting

500
00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:06.480
<v Speaker 2>excited and looking forward to the next step for them,

501
00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:09.680
<v Speaker 2>whatever it is. I will say the big thing that

502
00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.920
<v Speaker 2>I try to tell them, And we were just talking

503
00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.319
<v Speaker 2>about this on the way here, because I have a

504
00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:16.000
<v Speaker 2>former student who's coming back in a couple weeks on

505
00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:19.240
<v Speaker 2>her college spring break, and she really wants to talk

506
00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:22.200
<v Speaker 2>to them about all the different careers that she learned

507
00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:24.480
<v Speaker 2>about when she went to college. She ended up going

508
00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:27.480
<v Speaker 2>to college in Kentucky, and once she got there, I

509
00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:30.240
<v Speaker 2>think she's setting ag econ. But when she got there,

510
00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.440
<v Speaker 2>all of a sudden, she realized all these other amazing

511
00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:35.920
<v Speaker 2>careers that we just don't really see around here maybe,

512
00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.880
<v Speaker 2>and she just wants to let them know to kind

513
00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:42.079
<v Speaker 2>of follow their era, get on the right path, get

514
00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:44.160
<v Speaker 2>where you're going, and as you're going there, you're going

515
00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:46.279
<v Speaker 2>to see all these other awesome things open up to

516
00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:51.319
<v Speaker 2>you that you had no idea about. So I'm excited they'll.

517
00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:53.799
<v Speaker 1>Have those opportunity. You've definitely given them a good foundation.

518
00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:58.319
<v Speaker 1>And I'm sure there's other amazing egg educators in our county,

519
00:28:58.359 --> 00:29:01.240
<v Speaker 1>but you made me tear up a little. But because

520
00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:05.240
<v Speaker 1>anytime we talk, you know, I taught school for fifteen years.

521
00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:08.640
<v Speaker 1>You've definitely got me on that. But anytime you can

522
00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:11.759
<v Speaker 1>see your students and you called it at a young age,

523
00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:14.039
<v Speaker 1>like they are going to be a good human and

524
00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:16.640
<v Speaker 1>they are just going to nail this whole living a

525
00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:19.720
<v Speaker 1>good life thing. But you get to see it, that's

526
00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:22.240
<v Speaker 1>the good stuff. And so I'm so grateful that you

527
00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:24.319
<v Speaker 1>get to see those moments and you're like called it.

528
00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:26.880
<v Speaker 1>I knew they were going to be successful, and I

529
00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:29.160
<v Speaker 1>loved what you said about you know, being good citizens

530
00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:32.200
<v Speaker 1>and employable. And on a funny note, I do get

531
00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.200
<v Speaker 1>sad because you know, you know, we just we discovered

532
00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:36.960
<v Speaker 1>that we were not in FFA, but we definitely had

533
00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:40.559
<v Speaker 1>ag in our college days. I do get jealous when

534
00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:42.839
<v Speaker 1>Johnny gets to pull his blue jacket out and I

535
00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:45.359
<v Speaker 1>do not have a blue jacket. I do not, so

536
00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:48.400
<v Speaker 1>I do get a little jealous of him getting to

537
00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:51.240
<v Speaker 1>wear that. And he was at Liberty High School's FFA

538
00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:53.359
<v Speaker 1>as well, and I'm great, well stinker, I think he

539
00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:58.640
<v Speaker 1>still fits so all these years later. Yeah, But anyway,

540
00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:01.640
<v Speaker 1>I want to say thank you for this group of

541
00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:04.599
<v Speaker 1>students that you have shared. We're going to wrap up

542
00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:08.200
<v Speaker 1>and go into the announcement section, but if there is

543
00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:11.240
<v Speaker 1>anything that we need to know to share with our

544
00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:15.279
<v Speaker 1>community about how to support you or upcoming events, your

545
00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:18.480
<v Speaker 1>social media, social media handles or things like that, please

546
00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:18.960
<v Speaker 1>share that.

547
00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.359
<v Speaker 3>Now.

548
00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.240
<v Speaker 1>Now is your time to shine. Okay.

549
00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:24.240
<v Speaker 2>So I want to piggyback on what Clay said earlier

550
00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:28.160
<v Speaker 2>about our alumni and supporters. It is a common misconception

551
00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:31.720
<v Speaker 2>that you have to have been a Liberty High School

552
00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:34.720
<v Speaker 2>graduate or an FFA member. That's not true at all.

553
00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:37.759
<v Speaker 2>That's why the name is Liberty FFA Alumni and Supporters.

554
00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:40.920
<v Speaker 2>So we have lots of adults within this community that

555
00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:45.519
<v Speaker 2>found value from their children going through the program or

556
00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:49.440
<v Speaker 2>just learned about it different ways and became a part

557
00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:53.440
<v Speaker 2>of that group. Also, people that came to our community

558
00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:56.400
<v Speaker 2>from other areas and we're in AG programs and things

559
00:30:56.440 --> 00:31:00.559
<v Speaker 2>like that. As a kid in other areas not only

560
00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:05.200
<v Speaker 2>benefit you know, visiting them at bake sales and things

561
00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:06.960
<v Speaker 2>like that, but also if you want to reach out,

562
00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:09.559
<v Speaker 2>they have a Facebook page Liberty f FA alumni and

563
00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:12.839
<v Speaker 2>supporters if you want to reach out to them and

564
00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:14.680
<v Speaker 2>be a part of that group. They're always looking to

565
00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:18.519
<v Speaker 2>grow that group. You know, many hands makes easier work

566
00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:22.640
<v Speaker 2>for everyone, so always looking to have more people in

567
00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.119
<v Speaker 2>that as well.

568
00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.559
<v Speaker 1>Also, I want to give a shout out to Clay.

569
00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:28.480
<v Speaker 2>We just found out that Clay, along with two of

570
00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:32.359
<v Speaker 2>our other younger members are going to Washington Leadership Conference

571
00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:38.119
<v Speaker 2>this summer. So that's really so that is a hefty

572
00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:40.799
<v Speaker 2>cost for us. So if any anybody ever wants to

573
00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.559
<v Speaker 2>reach out and just benefit the chapter, you could go

574
00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:47.440
<v Speaker 2>right through the school to help kids with things like

575
00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:51.599
<v Speaker 2>that Leadership options. You can do it that way, contacting

576
00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:53.880
<v Speaker 2>like Liberty High School and letting them know why you're calling.

577
00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:57.720
<v Speaker 2>They can get you the right avenue. But yeah, we

578
00:31:57.799 --> 00:32:02.240
<v Speaker 2>do have a Facebook page Liberty FFA and an Instagram

579
00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:05.839
<v Speaker 2>page and it's here on the socials. We are Yeah,

580
00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:08.920
<v Speaker 2>the kids, the kids do a great job with that excellent. Well,

581
00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:13.960
<v Speaker 2>I'm very grateful that Natalie, Tony Clay, and this TA

582
00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.279
<v Speaker 2>you were all here today.

583
00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:18.880
<v Speaker 1>We're gonna say we're going to file this under an

584
00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:21.079
<v Speaker 1>excellent podcast? Would you agree? What?

585
00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.240
<v Speaker 5>He?

586
00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:26.720
<v Speaker 1>Do you not feel so hopeful for? I mean, do

587
00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:29.319
<v Speaker 1>you not just feel drenched in hope? Rate? I do?

588
00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:33.079
<v Speaker 1>It's exciting, I know, so well spoken. Yes, agreed, Agreed.

589
00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:37.279
<v Speaker 1>So you're impressive, folks, and I'm grateful to have had

590
00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:40.279
<v Speaker 1>this moment with y'all. So we're going to go into

591
00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:43.640
<v Speaker 1>our announcements. This is where we have ag opportunities in

592
00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:47.160
<v Speaker 1>the county. So if you are looking for horse riding lessons,

593
00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:50.640
<v Speaker 1>please reach out to Second Wind Farm. They recently posted

594
00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:54.759
<v Speaker 1>on their Facebook page that they are scheduling opportunities uh

595
00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:58.319
<v Speaker 1>for horse riding. They also have availability, I believe for boarding,

596
00:32:58.839 --> 00:33:01.960
<v Speaker 1>so contact them directly either through their Facebook page or

597
00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:04.920
<v Speaker 1>you can call them at five four zero five nine

598
00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:10.200
<v Speaker 1>eight zero one one zero. And then we are thinking

599
00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:13.640
<v Speaker 1>about field trips here, so if you are interested in

600
00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:16.960
<v Speaker 1>going to Lotty J Farm, on Patterson Mill Road. They

601
00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:20.880
<v Speaker 1>are currently booking field trips May through October. April is

602
00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:24.759
<v Speaker 1>already booked. You can follow them on Facebook as well

603
00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:28.079
<v Speaker 1>or reach out to them by calling four three four

604
00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:31.799
<v Speaker 1>six one zero six zero seven eight and again that's

605
00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:34.720
<v Speaker 1>Lotty J Farm on Patterson Mill Road in regards to

606
00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:38.119
<v Speaker 1>field trips. So the weather is starting to warm up

607
00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:41.680
<v Speaker 1>a little bit and our farmers markets have dates. Let's

608
00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:45.440
<v Speaker 1>see here. Forest Farmer's Market will take place on March

609
00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:48.160
<v Speaker 1>the eighth, which is this Saturday, from nine to twelve.

610
00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:52.599
<v Speaker 1>They're located on Forest Road near Forest Library and obviously

611
00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:55.000
<v Speaker 1>it's anytime you shop at a farmer's market, it's a

612
00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:59.119
<v Speaker 1>great opportunity to shop and support local. And then the

613
00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:03.039
<v Speaker 1>weekend after that, March fifteenth, Bedford Farmers Market will be

614
00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:06.160
<v Speaker 1>held nine to one and they are located at West

615
00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:09.599
<v Speaker 1>Washington Street in the Farmers Market Pavilion and you can

616
00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:13.280
<v Speaker 1>stay updated with their happenings by following their Facebook page.

617
00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:15.960
<v Speaker 1>And it looks like Menita and Montvale markets will be

618
00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:19.440
<v Speaker 1>coming back soon, so stay tuned about when and where

619
00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:23.800
<v Speaker 1>you can get goodies at the Montvale and Manita farmers Market.

620
00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:27.639
<v Speaker 1>Now something exciting since we have some youth here. I

621
00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:31.000
<v Speaker 1>thought this would be a great announcement. Four EH camp

622
00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:34.719
<v Speaker 1>registration opens up in April. This has always been a

623
00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:37.559
<v Speaker 1>favorite with my sons and so they were always excited

624
00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:42.599
<v Speaker 1>when camp registration open. Camp itself runs from July fourteenth

625
00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:45.400
<v Speaker 1>to eighteenth, and it takes place at the Skeleton for

626
00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:48.559
<v Speaker 1>H Center at Smith Mountain Lake. If you know a

627
00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:52.159
<v Speaker 1>young person that will be at least nine by September thirtieth,

628
00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:54.679
<v Speaker 1>twenty twenty five, but no older than fourteen or on

629
00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:58.159
<v Speaker 1>January first, twenty twenty five, they are eligible to sign

630
00:34:58.239 --> 00:35:01.920
<v Speaker 1>up for camp and details including costs, will be forthcoming,

631
00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:05.280
<v Speaker 1>and the best way to follow that information is to

632
00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:08.880
<v Speaker 1>follow the Bedford County four H Facebook page. Make sure

633
00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:13.559
<v Speaker 1>it is Bedford County, Virginia, not Bedford County, Pennsylvania. You

634
00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:17.360
<v Speaker 1>may end up at the wrong camp. As always, we

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<v Speaker 1>would like to end this episode with a huge thanks

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<v Speaker 1>to Media Squatch for allowing this podcast an idea to

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<v Speaker 1>come to life. We're always grateful and happy to work

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<v Speaker 1>with Woody and the staff at Media Squatch, and I

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<v Speaker 1>really am grateful that I had this table of well

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<v Speaker 1>spoken folks to chat with, So thank you. Liberty FFA

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<v Speaker 1>for being a wonderful presence here on our podcast. Lastly,

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<v Speaker 1>if you want to attend one of our ag board meetings,

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<v Speaker 1>you are more than welcome. Last night we had the

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<v Speaker 1>folks from the Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy FFA join

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<v Speaker 1>at the beginning of our March ag board meeting, and

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<v Speaker 1>like y'all, they were an impressive group of students. But

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<v Speaker 1>let's be honest, ffa's students really carry themselves well and

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<v Speaker 1>speak knowledgeably, so no pun intended, but they're the cream

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<v Speaker 1>of the crop. But I'm bump anyway. Egg Board meeting

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<v Speaker 1>times and minutes are always available on the Economic Development

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<v Speaker 1>website and normally we meet around the first Wednesday of

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<v Speaker 1>each month, but reach out for details. If you want

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<v Speaker 1>to attend, you're more than welcome. And we're going to

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<v Speaker 1>end this wonderful podcast with the reminder that please be

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<v Speaker 1>good to yourself and be good to others.