Fruit sales and ugly sweaters highlight West Holmes FFA activities

The West Holmes FFA held its annual fruit sale Oct. 9 through Nov. 19. The members spent Friday, Dec. 12 at the Holmes County Fairgrounds creating buckets, bags and boxes of fruit. The members then delivered all their fruit to their buyers.

In total the members sold 566 cases of fruit, 3,458 tins of nuts, blocks of cheese, rings of Trail and bottles of maple syrup for a total sale of $61,589. We profited almost $14,000. The top five salesmen were Breck Sheldon, Logan Van Dalen, Emma Eberhard, Grady Hawkins and Wyatt Troyer.

Thanks to all the community members who supported our sale and to Harvest Ridge for allowing us to use their facilities. Your contributions to the success of our chapter are all very much appreciated.

On Monday, Dec. 15, the West Holmes FFA Chapter held its December meeting, where members were encouraged to wear an ugly sweater or Christmas apparel.

The meeting was called to order by President Madison Ringwalt. Opening ceremonies took place, Blake Patterson moved and Emma McDonnell seconded that we recess for 15 minutes. Andrew Weaver moved and Logan Van Dalen seconded to hold officer elections March 16.

Trenton Heller moved and Wyatt Troyer seconded to observe National FFA Week and hold activities. Jenna Zimmerly moved and Claire Drzazga seconded to refer the motion to observe National FFA Week and hold activities to the State and National Affairs Committee.

Taylor McDonnell moved and Carson Horn seconded to hold the strawberry sale in February. Ellie Babbit moved and Una Holasek seconded to go snow tubing and have every member pay $15.

Jensen Lorentz moved and Dylan Sours seconded to go to Altitude Trampoline Park for the February meeting and have each member pay $5. Dylan Sours moved and Logan Van Dalen seconded to adjourn the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. After the meeting each member was asked to purchase and bring an item that was worth $10 in value. We had many gifts, ranging from blankets to gift cards. We concluded the evening with a dessert bar.

All motions were passed.

On Dec. 17 members of the West Holmes FFA Chapter attended the annual Christmas on the Equator event at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, hosted by the Northwestern FFA Chapter.

Members attending were Shane Lorentz, Wyatt Troyer, Landrie Croskey, Cadence Martie, Ellectra Beachy, Mia Spencer, Jack Jewell, Jensen Lorentz, Jackson Baker, Emily Ogi and Natalie Lint.

The members got to participate in nine square, cornhole, card games and line dancing, as well as getting to hang out with other members from different FFA chapters. Thank you to Northwestern FFA for hosting this event.