Laker FFA

10/05/2026

We want to thank Corteva Agriscience of Harbor Beach for engaging our students in a career panel interview last Friday.
11th and 12th grade Advanced Agriculture students took time to develop questions to gain a better understanding of the culture and employee values of Corteva, scope of their jobs and personal work experiences.
Through their answers students gained perspective and insight of what it would be like to work with Corteva and glean information about entering the workforce being a journey rather than a destination.

We are grateful for the panel members who took time from their day to help prepare our students:
Brian Toner
Ken Morell
John Woods
Nicole Greyerbiehl
Jason Pfaff
James Weber
Mike Parker
Alyssa Gehring

10/01/2026

Our chapter officers wanted to show our teachers how appreciative we are of all they do for all students, but especially our FFA students.
They put together survival kits with items teachers may need on the fly:
⭐️Sticky notes
⭐️Pen
⭐️Band aids
⭐️Lotion
⭐️Chapstick
⭐️Snacks
⭐️Drink packet

Today teachers were gifted their kits to show that they don’t need a specific day to celebrate them, but it should be every day!

09/24/2026

Hey All! it’s Samantha again, check out my second highlight from the Next Gen Conference👇🏼

While the tours we had the opportunity to go on were very cool at Next Gen, we also got to do much more.

We got to learn about artificial insemination (AI) in cattle through a hands-on activity using Fruit Roll-Ups and candy.

Another hands-on activity put on by Cargill challenged us to create a marketing campaign for a feed product we had no information about. We had to create a feed bag and present it to a panel of judges to sell our product. My group decided to go with alpaca feed, and we ended up placing 2nd! Later, during our Cargill tour, we got to see the actual products we had learned about, which was really cool.

We also had an industry table event where companies like Dairy Farmers of America, Merck Animal Health, Cargill, and KC Animal Health came to answer questions and tell us more about their careers and companies. Merck also hosted a hands-on activity where we rotated through stations and learned about different medicines, tools, and demonstrations.

Overall, this was truly one of my favorite experiences. I feel so blessed and grateful to have been surrounded by people who are just as passionate about animal science as I am. I learned so much, made so many memories, and gained friendships that I hope will last far beyond this conference.

Thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Next Gen Animal Systems Conference such an unforgettable experience!

09/22/2026

Hey Everyone!
Here’s an update from Samantha DeOliveira’s time at the Next Gen Conference last week.

Hello everyone! My name is Samantha De Oliveira and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Next Gen Animal Systems Conference. This was a four-day conference that brought together students from across the country who share a passion for the animal systems industry.
There were over 200 applicants, but only 75 students were selected to attend. We had students from 23 states, with only two from Michigan!

Throughout the week, we got to experience so many incredible things and learn directly from professionals in the animal systems industry.

At the beginning of the conference, we were split into six Community Groups (CGs). I was lucky enough to be in Kaylynn Wilhelm’s group, where I met so many amazing people from across the country who I now get to call my friends!

We toured Cargill’s pet food and livestock feed facilities, where we got to see the entire process of making, packaging, and shipping feed to customers like Tractor Supply. We also visited Smithfield hog farms and learned more about their operation. Unfortunately, we got rained out during the farm visit, but the Smithfield crew still made sure we had an informative and enjoyable experience!

One of my favorite parts was getting to see the new American Royal facility that is currently being built. The facility is about the size of six football fields put together! We got to see horse clipping practice, learn about the thought that went into designing the barns, and enjoy a great lunch. Getting to see the inside of the new facility was definitely a highlight of the week.

Tune back in tomorrow for my final highlight of this incredible experience!

09/16/2026

Yesterday was a busy day at our annual Huron County Project RED.
We had 20 students representing our chapter in various capacities:
⭐️Logistic coordinators
⭐️ PPE demonstrators
⭐️Line Leaders
⭐️Snack Station
⭐️Dairy Educator

It took until the very end of the day to get them for a picture. We’re proud of their commitment to jump in and help wherever needed and do it well.

09/12/2026

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

Tim Fritz was the lucky high bidder taking home the goods.

Thank you to everyone who bid, shared and inquired! We appreciate all types of support we received.

09/12/2026

⏰WE’RE ON THE CLOCK⏰

The final hours of getting your bid in, here’s how you can help:

🐽Bid yourself
🐽Find a friend/group of friends and bid together to split the cost and product
🐽SHARE the post wide and far to hit more potential buyers

We will post updates at noon for highest bid, but be sure to check the original post comments to be in on the action.

Current highest bid is $650.

Thank you for supporting our Alumni, which supports our program and students.

09/11/2026

24 HOURS LEFT TO GET YOUR BID IN!

Current highest bid is $650!

Don’t want a whole hog?! Team up with a friend to share the cost and meat!

Take home this pork, only cost to you is your bid.
We haul it to the processor for you. Processing is 100% covered via donation of a C**n Creek Packing.

09/08/2026

With the holiday weekend here and gone, it’s time to think about the rest of the year! No better time than to stock up on all the goods:
Sausage
Bacon
Brats
Ham
Pork butts
Bacon
Ribs
Pork loin
Bacon

Did we forget bacon?!

Current high bid is $500 and time is coming to a close for your chance to take home the meat!

The best part, what you bid is the ONLY cost and it directly supports our Laker FFA students throughout the year.

BID NOW!

09/05/2026

THREE Laker FFA members crowned to royalty yesterday evening to kick off the Elkton Autumn Fest weekend!

Congrats to Samantha, Sydney and Riley and we look forward to how you serve our community.

👑 All smiles at Elkton Missionary Church! We are thrilled to introduce the royalty of the 2026 Elkton Autumn FEST. 🍂

Congratulations to our newly crowned court:

✨ Queen: Sydney Protzman
✨ 1st Runner-Up: Samantha De Oliveira
✨ 2nd Runner-Up: Riley McIntosh

A special shoutout to all 9 of our amazing candidates, our wonderful sponsors, and everyone in the community who came out to support these outstanding young leaders. We are looking forward to a fantastic Autumn FEST weekend! 💐🍂