Annual Awards Banquet

At the end of every school year, the East Buchanan FFA Chapter hosts an awards program in which the  members are recognized and awarded for their accomplishments and achievements throughout the calendar year.  The topics headlined are career development awards, alumni awards, star awards, Retiring of the old officer team and installing the new officer team.

Kaitlyn Kortenkamp with Blue and Gold winners: David & Ellen Doese

Star Award winners: Keegan Wilgenbusch (Freshmen), Charli Sherman (Sophomore), Kirby Cook (Junior) & Kaitlyn Kortenkamp (Senior)

The retiring officer team giving their final address

Seniors present: Lukas Recker, Kooper Erickson, Emma Kress, Kaitlyn Kortenkamp, Hannabelle Erickson, Gwendolyn Cabalka, Bethany Cook, Trey Johnson & Cole Bowden

Juniors present: Kirby Cook & Ella Cook

Freshman present: Carter Rosburg, Keegan Wilgenbusch, Kyle Wessels & Lucas Tempus

Sophomores present: Dalton Kortenkamp, Samuel Cook, Keeley Kehrli, Charli Sherman, Frankie Dolan, Lauren Beyer, Noah Walthart & Gram Erickson

Mr. Doese recognizing the senior class for all their hard work and dedication over the past 4 years

Buchanan County Fair

At the Buchanan County Fair located in Independence, the East Buchanan FFA Chapter is very active in all facets of the fair. The East Buchanan FFA is seen working with many different activities at the fair. We typically assists with the Tenderloin Supper, Exhibiting, Queen Escorting and various commodity booths at the county fair.

Ella Cook serving food to a patron at the Tenderloin Supper.

Keeley Kehrli showing her pigs in the pig show.

Charli Sherman showing her meat goat in the meat goat show.

Sam Cook showing during the sheep show.

Bethany Cook showing in the sheep show.

Ella Cook showing during the rabbit show.

Lauren Beyer showing her meat goat in the meat goat show.

Ella Cook showing during dairy goat show.

Ella Cook showing during the dairy goat show.

Ella Cook being escorted by an Independence FFA member.

Sam Cook escorting Lauren Beyer.

Sam Cook escorting Charli Sherman.

Chapter Officer Retreat

The 2021-2022 officer team had a unique retreat to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. This consisted of going to a cabin on Lake Deli in Delhi, Iowa. At this retreat, the officer team sets goals for the program, prepare a chapter budget and organize the activities that the chapter plans to perform throughout the year.

Chapter officers bonding together around a bonfire.

Members of the chapter officer team working on organizing events for the upcoming year.

Greenhand and Chapter Initiation Night

This chapter event officially welcomes 8th grade and first year members into the National FFA Organization, while the second year members receive the highest degree that the East Buchanan FFA Chapter can bestow upon its members. This activity also lets parents see what a formal chapter activity looks like and gets them interested in the chapter's activities as well.

Farm Safety Day

Each year the East Buchanan FFA chapter assists the Buchanan County Extension Office by presenting a workshop at two different farm safety day events for Buchanan county students. In May, members present lawn mower safety to county 1st graders. In September, FFA members presented water safety and first aid safety to rural students from the Jesup & Wapsie Valley school districts.

Charli Sherman, Keeley Kehrli & Lauren Beyer presenting first aid safety to rural students

Keegan Wilgenbusch, Cora Reed, Derrick Lindsay & Lindsay Beyer presenting water safety to rural students

Lauren Beyer, Keeley Kehrli & Frankie Dolan presenting lawn mower safety to Buchanan county 1st grade students

Fruit Sales

In October 2021, the East Buchanan FFA chapter sold fruit, meat and cheese snacks to local community members. The first week of December fruit is delivered and sorted. Members sort fruit into piles for students and then pick it up after school is out to be delivered. 

FFA members  inspect each individual fruit to make sure product is good for our customers

Leadership Day

Once a year, the East Buchanan FFA Chapter brings in members of the Iowa FFA State Officer team to conduct leadership workshops with all the agricultural classes that day. During the 2021-2022 school year, Avery Hanaway, Ella Hommel and Northeast District Officer Gabe Hansen conducted various workshops across 5 different classes.  

Students trying to build the largest tower out of spaghetti & marshmallows.

Students trying to transfer m&ms by sucking on a straw from one cup into another.

Students using teamwork keeping each other up.

Students trying to untangle themselves without letting go of each others hands.

Students practicing communication by feeding each other blindfolded.

Pancake Breakfast

The East Buchanan FFA chapter annually puts on a pancake breakfast once every year. In March of 2022, the chapter held its breakfast at St. Patrick's Hall in Winthrop, where pancakes, eggs and bacon were served with juice, coffee and milk. The funds generated from this event, go towards helping with state convention. A total of 175 patrons were served in March of 2022. 

Members making eggs in the skillets 

Members making pancakes on the blackstone grill

Members serving breakfast for patrons as they come through the line