Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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District 4 Leadership Development Events competition was held at Summerland Public School, Nov. 20. Thirty Summerland FFA members competed in events, which determined who will advance to the state convention. At the end of competition, one individual and two groups were crowned district champions. Sara Hemenway won discovery speaking and advances to state. Conduct of Chapter team one topped the field and will compete at the spring convention. Team members include Braelyn Bergman, Kanyon Allemang...
Shaylie Kester envisioned a future as a veterinary technician. After working as a student teller at Cornerstone Bank's Clearwater branch, the Summerland FFA member is consider a career change. "This experience opened my eyes to the world of finance and made me realize how much I enjoy working in the field of business. Now, I plan to pursue a career in something on the financial side, like ag business." Kester, who serves as the local chapter president, initially considered showing fair cattle...
Part 2 in a 3-part series As a member of a farm family, Braelyn Bergman understands the basics of agriculture, the hard work and long hours it takes for seeds to sprout into a sustainable product. This summer, through a Supervised Agricultural Experience for FFA, Bergman has developed a new appreciation for work farmers provide. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Bergman's project involved renting four acres of land from her dad, Ryan, and planting and raising a corn crop. Originally, Be...
Summerland FFA sent 24 members to the Area 5 range judging contest, held south of O'Neill, on Sept. 19. Advisor Jacob Goldfuss reported, "Everyone did great and learned." In the senior division, out of 102 participants, Shaylie Kester, Ethan Kester and Logan Kester placed in the top 25 and received a green ribbon. The senior division team, comprised of the three Kesters and Carter Bergman, received seventh place. In the junior division, out of 169 participants, Breckyn Bergman place 20th and...
On Sept. 12, 26 Summerland FFA members attended the West Holt range judging competition south of Atkinson. In the junior division, Breckyn Bergman placed sixth out of 236 competitors. The junior division team, comprised of Bergman, Taylen Nilson, Marlin Krysl and Savannah Gallagher placed eighth. Ethan Kester finished in the top 25 in the senior division. One hundred fourteen students competed in the division. Kester, Jenna Funk, Clair Krysl and Shaylie Kester comprised the senior division team...
For several Summerland FFA students, school never is out of session, even during summer months. Through a Supervised Agriculture Experience, FFA members are able to explore career options and learn about workplace life. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said, "Essentially, it is some type of job or project that an FFA member should have to help them learn skills and knowledge that they can use in the classroom and in FFA contests." The sky's the limit when it comes to a job or project for an...
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln conferred 1,172 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 15 and 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The 1,159 graduates are from 48 countries; 39 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; and more than 150 Nebraska communities. Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett presided over the ceremonies. Area residents receiving degrees include Kathryn Hawk, Ewing, College of Business, Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration; Emily Kurpgeweit, Ewing, College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Bachelor of S...
District 4 Leadership Development Events were held Dec. 6 at Lutheran High Northeast. Summerland FFA advisor Jacob Goldfuss said the local chapter took took 20 members and they all did very well. "There are 20 schools in our district and each chapter can send two individuals or teams for every contest, so to get top three and make it to state is quite hard," Goldfuss said. In addition to the two teams in the photos, several individuals qualifed or will be an alternate for state. Jenna Funk got...
Madison Melcher turned her story into FFA history. The 2022 Summerland Public School graduate is the first FFA chapter member to receive the American FFA Degree, according to advisor Jacob Goldfuss. Melcher made the historic walk across the stage, Nov. 4, at the 2023 National Convention, in Indianapolis, during the awards ceremony. "I am honored to be the first FFA American Degree recipient from Summerland FFA. I am so grateful that Mr. Goldfuss pushed me to apply. He was always there if I had...
Members of Summerland Public School's FFA chapter got first-hand experience in forestry, Monday, Oct. 2. Students added 10 new trees to school property, near the FFA corn test plot and track-and-field areas. The trees are part of the Ten Free Trees Progam, an effort of the Nebraska Forest Service and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. James Ramold, Ewing village chairman and a school employee, applied for the grant. Ramold, along with instructor Jacob Goldfuss, assisted students with planting....
Bennet Flenniken's entrepreneurial spirit shined early in him, when at age 9, he started washing golf carts. Now, he details much larger vehicles at his Clearwater Main Street business named Shiny Solutions. His decision to open his detailing business has proven profitable, but his real gains will come if his FFA supervised agricultural experience application awards him the champion of his proficiency area, winning a plaque, a cash prize and berth at nationals. Jacob Goldfuss, Summlerand's...
Bennet Flenniken's entrepreneurial spirit shined early in him, when at age 9, he started washing golf carts. Now, he details much larger vehicles at his Clearwater Main Street business named Shiny Solutions. His decision to open his detailing business has proven profitable, but his real gains will come if his FFA supervised agricultural experience application awards him the champion of his proficiency area, winning a plaque, a cash prize and berth at nationals. Jacob Goldfuss, Summlerand's...
Corn in the Summerland FFA test plot was sky high by the Fourth of July. Some of the rows shot toward the sun, towering over other varieties. The chapter's test plot program, in its second year, is in a new location. Landowner Bob Napier said the plot now sits on the west side of the school, near the football team's practice field. "Signs will go up in August," Napier said. FFA students, along with advisor Jacob Goldfuss, ventured to the area on April 24, meeting with representatives from...
Summerland FFA Chapter members earned multiple awards at the 2023 FFA State Convention in Lincoln, March 29 - 31....
Ask Braelyn Bergman what she wants to be when she grows up and she isn't shy about answering the question. "As I get older, I want to become a cattle breeder and breed analyst, which also includes artificial insemination technician," the seventh-grade student at Summerland Public Schools said. Bergman has been involved in 4-H for a number of years, showing cattle at the Antelope County Fair. This year, she joined the Summerland FFA Chapter, hoping to enhance her knowledge of agriculture. She joi...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Dec. 14, 2022 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a regular meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the school. President Ed Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the Dec. 7, 2022, newspapers to order at 5:46 p.m. Board members present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steven Thiele and Jeremy Wagner. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Motion by Thiele, seconded by Hoke, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting aye:...
A fresh crop of introduction to ag students from Summerland School were all ears, Friday afternoon, as they visited the corn hybrid test plot, planted in April, north of the school. Six companies planted 24 seed varieties, April 22, on land owned and farmed by Bob Napier. Todd Weber, from Pioneer Seed Company, along with Aaron Hoke and Austin Twibell, representing H & T Seed & Technology, in Orchard, gave students an overview of crops planted. "There's a lot of things farmers like Bob have to co...
APPROVED BILLS SUMMERLAND SCHOOL 20/20 Technologies, LLC, Wi-Fi access - three-year sub, 8,510.00; Active Network, track/field software, 291.50; Amazon Capital Services, Inc., sup, 2,926.65; Black Hills Energy, nat gas, 1,318.52; Canon Financial Services, Inc., printer lease, 22.81; Capital One Bk(USA), NA, sup/rooms, 2,556.72; ColdType Publishing, print, 186.86; Corner Hardware & More, sup, 38.28; Courtney Soper, mileage, 422.37; DAS State Acct’g, internet line, 846.51; Dusty’s, fuel, 558.78; Egan Supply Co., sup, 1,940.62; Elkhorn Rural Pub...
Submitted article Advocate-Messenger Publisher LuAnn Schindler received honorable mention in education writing, in the Nebraska Press Women professional communications contest. Schindler’s article, “Home on the Range,” outlined elements involved in range judging competition, which Summerland FFA members attended last fall, and included interviews with advisor Jacob Goldfuss and FFA members. Lori Potter, a retired Kearney Hub reporter, won the Marianne Beel Communications contest title...
With the assistance of a neighboring farmer, Summerland FFA members will chart corn growth and yields on a test plot. Located north of the school, on land owned and farmed by the Napier family, the area was planted with 24 different seed varities, last Friday. Bob Napier said six different companies - Pioneer, Channel, Brevant, Golden Harvest, DeKalb and NC+ - are represented. Of the 24 varieties, 16 are new hybrids. Napier planted varieties with 103- to 112-day maturity rates. "That's how I...
The expansion of an agriculture education program has boosted membership in Summerland's FFA chapter. Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said 46 students, grades seven through 12, participate in the organization which combines classroom learning, field experience and community service. It's the largest group since the Summerland chapter originated last year. Goldfuss' credits his enthusiasm for ag education and FFA to his high school career, at O'Neill Public Schools. "The organization and classes help...
In early September, Summerland FFA members learned the importance of knowing how to read a field. There's more to range judging, according to Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss. "Because there is so much to this contest, preparing students for it can be quite a challenge," he said. A quick primer on range judging: Participants gain a comprehensive understanding of rangeland ecosystems in order to make range management decisions. "A proficient 'range judger' will be able to take one look at a...
Summerland School District will feature five new staff members in the 2021-2022 school year, including one elementary and four high school educators. Staff members met for inservice training, in Orchard, Aug. 16 and 17. On Aug. 23 and 24, staff and students moved materials from the three former sites into the new facility, in preparation for the Aug. 30 start date. Jacob Goldfus His first impression of the Summerland School system and new facility can be summed up in one word: incredible. Okay,...
Summerland staff members met Aug. 16 and 17 for in-service training at the Orchard site. Joining the Bobcat staff are : Mark Hobbs, Kyle Finke, Alexa Knievel, Abbey Schwindt; Jacob Goldfuss, Krista Holliday, Carrie Kucera, Kaylee McKay, Hailey Rotherham, Denise Napier and Greg Ramold. Students in grades nine through 12 will assist teachers next Monday and Tuesday as they move equipment and supplies to the new site. The first official day of school will be Monday, Aug. 30, with preschool...
Summerland Public School agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor, Jacob Goldfuss, accepts a $2,500 donation from Aaron Hoke and Austin Twibell, with H and T Seed and Technology, alongside school administrators and Summerland FFA officers. Twibell and Hoke applied for the $2,500 grant through Corteva Agriscience, in the spring, with the intent of donating it to the Summerland FFA chapter. The grant will be used to provide FFA members with an opportunity to compete in various FFA...
