Kenyon-Wanamingo form FFA Alumni Association
By Janet Kubat Willette
jkubat@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 05/19/2010 3:38 PM
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KENYON, Minn. — People interested in supporting FFA and agricultural education in the Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools are encouraged to attend the May 18 meeting of the Kenyon-Wanamingo FFA Alumni Association.
The meeting is 7:30 p.m. in the Kenyon-Wanamingo Ag Room.
The Kenyon-Wanamingo FFA Alumni Association hopes to be ready to help out with programs and events over the summer months, said Lorin Pohlman, alumni association president.
Students from Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools participate in four county fairs: Rice, Steele, Dodge and Goodhue, said Charles Larson, K-W FFA adviser and agricultural education teacher. They also participate in the Cannon Valley Fair, held in Cannon Falls.
Kenyon-Wanamingo's Alumni Association is just over a month old. Discussions were held at a March 10 vocational advisory council meeting, a nucleus meeting was March17 and the organizational meeting was March 30. The alumni board met May 6.
Joining Pohlman on the board are Andrew Voxland, vice president; Pat Irrthum, secretary; Jim Fountaine, treasurer; Gary Borgchatz, Donna Lexvold and John Smith.
Alumni association members want to support the K-W ag adviser and the agricultural education department, Pohlman said. It's a one-person department with 88 students in FFA from grades seven through 12.
"We're a support team for the ag ed department and the FFA," Pohlman said.
Any help is extremely appreciated, said Larson, who's been at K-W for six years.
Members of the alumni association can help train students for judging contests, offer expertise for FFA projects or drive students to FFA events, Pohlman said.
With just one person, there is only so much time to go around, he said. Members of the alumni association may be able to coach a career development event team that K-W wasn't able to offer before.
Larson is excited about the opportunities the alumni association will provide students.
"I think it's extremely important to have those kinds of connections between the community, agribusinesses and the schools," he said.
Alumni will not only be able to help students with their career development events, but also advise them on supervised agricultural experiences and offer opportunities for job shadowing experiences and internships. They may coach teams, line up sites for judging practices and line up livestock for shows. There's many ways for alumni to help, he said.
Alumni association members don't have to be former FFA members, Pohlman points out. He grew up in Caledonia, but wasn't in FFA. He moved between Kenyon and Wanamingo in 1984 and both his sons were in FFA. He saw the need to help the adviser and that's why he's involved in the fledging K-W Alumni Association.
But alumni association members can be past FFA members, too, Larson said. There are many former FFA members in the area. Kenyon has had a strong agricultural education program for years with John Shelstad starting a program in the basement of a local building before there was space for the program in the school, Larson said.
At the May 18 meeting, members will plan what activities they will do over the summer months and into next school year, Pohlman said. They hope to do some fundraising so they can offer funds to the FFA, possibly even scholarships to FFA members. They also hope to plan fun events for alumni association members.
People interested in joining at the K-W Alumni Association, but unable to make the meeting should call Pohlman at 507-951-4279.
Dues are $30 per person or $50 per couple payable to the K-W Alumni. Dues can be dropped off to Karen Kahnke at Kenyon State Bank or mailed to Jim Fountaine, 326 Bergen Circle, Kenyon, MN 55946.