FFA officers come home to Ag Day 2013

Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Cameron Mann

In the spirit of the Ag Day 2012 theme of "Generations Nourishing Generations," two Putnam County natives from a new generation of agricultural leaders will deliver the keynote speech.

State FFA President Cameron Mann and state Secretary Katherine Spencer will give the 9 a.m. address.

All events in Ag Day 2013 will take place from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 16 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building.

Mann is a 2012 graduate of Cloverdale High School where she was a member of the Cloverdale FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Rob and Malinda Mann and is serving as the 2012-13 Indiana FFA President.

After her year of service she plans to attend Purdue University to study agricultural communications.

FFA has given Mann the opportunity travel around the nation, build lifelong friendships and develop herself as a leader and individual. Her favorite FFA memory is traveling with the livestock judging team to Kansas, Maryland and North Carolina.

FFA has taught Mann the value of a good handshake, first impressions and a few well-spoken words.

Spencer graduated in 2012 from South Putnam High School. She is the daughter of John and Michele Spencer. Throughout her high school career she was very active in her FFA Chapter.

Katherine Spencer

She is now serving as the 2012-2013 Indiana FFA State Secretary. Following her year of service to the Indiana FFA, Spencer plans to attend the University of Indianapolis to study nursing.

FFA has given Spencer the opportunity to grow, make new friendships and spread her passion for agriculture. Her favorite FFA memory consists of the mini bus rides full of "beautiful" singing with her FFA Chapter.

Over the years, FFA has taught Spencer how to be a leader, put other people first, and always hope for a brighter future.

The remarks from Mann and Spencer are far from the day's only events.

The 30th annual Ag Breakfast will kick things off with pancakes and sausage served from 8-9 a.m. Tickets for $1 each will be available at the door.

The 9 a.m. program will features Mann and Spencer, as well as the presentation of awards. The winners of the annual Hall of Fame awards -- Farm Family of the Year and Friend of the Farmer -- will be announced at that time.

The winners of the 2013 Ag Day Photo Contest, sponsored by the Putnam County Farm Bureau, will also be honored.

Following the awards, the third and final installment of Farm Bureau's 2013 legislative updates will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. The meeting gives constituents a chance to chat with local state legislators before the 2013 General Assembly session ends.

Also at 9:30, the Mini Farm Fest will begin and run through noon.

Those with displays at the Mini Farm Fest include: Cabot Cheese, Red Barn Farms-Tom Holton and Family, Keegan Poe with Chuck the Steer, Putnam County Public Library, Master Gardeners, Jason Keeney with poultry, Larry Keeney with bees, Farm Bureau, Ivy Tech, North Putnam FFA, South Putnam FFA, Cloverdale FFA, Purdue Extension-Sophia Spencer with Food Nutrition, Ann Delchambre with Toy Racing Pigs and Mark Evans with 4-H, Putnam County Community Foundation, Spinners and Weavers group (Theresa Gygi), Wright Implement, Bane Equipment, Humphreys Outdoor Power Equipment, Duke Energy, Bob Wehrman with pond aeration, Pork Table with Phyllis Legan, SWCD with Sue Crafton, Bugle Valley Elk, Putnam County Fairgrounds booth, Goats-Sierra Graham, Lambs-Travis Pearl, Indiana Dairy Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Rolling Meadows Plant Farm (Angela Mann) seed planting and the Goss Family with rabbits.

The Ag Breakfast is presented by the Putnam County Ag Breakfast Group consisting of county-wide agribusiness individuals.

Special recognition of breakfast sponsors goes to McDonald's, Putnam County Community Foundation (for its financial donation) and Putnam County Farm Bureau Inc. (for being the overall Ag Day sponsor).

Other contributors and sponsors for the breakfast include Almost Home, Subway, Burger King, Kroger, Putnam Inn, Farm Credit Mid-America, First Financial Bank, First National Bank, Hoosier Heartland State Bank, North Salem State Bank, PNC Bank and Tri-County Bank.

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