Dirty Deeds Earn National Recognition

WAITSBURG - In April, Waitsburg FFA members taught local students about the importance of soil (not dirt!) as part of a Helping Communities Grow competition sponsored by the Nutrients for Life Foundation. In May, Waitsburg won $5,000 at the State FFA Convention for placing first among 23 projects in the state.

Last week, Waitsburg School District received a letter notifying them that the national Nutrients for Life Foundation office has chosen Waitsburg's project as the best all-around project in this year's program and invited representatives to present at the World Fertilizer Conference in San Francisco in early September.

Former Waitsburg FFA vice president and recent WHS graduate Kimmie Hamann spearheaded the project after learning of the Helping Communities

Grow program at the 2013 State FFA Convention. Chapters receive $500 for successfully completing the program as well as the possibility to earn cash prizes for first, second and third place in the state.

For Waitsburg's project, Hamann took the lead in working with fellow FFA members to teach 7th and 8th grade science classes about Plant-Soil Int eractions, Properties of Soil and Plant Nutrient Deficiencies. At the same time, FFA Advisor and High School Ag Science teacher Nicole Abel covered the same information in her high school Ag Science class.

As a culminating project, the middle and high school students met in Perry Dozier's field, south of town to get their hands dirty (or should that be "soily"?). McGregor representatives Leslie Hammer and Dustin Crawford spoke with the students and demonstrated how to use a hydraulic sampler to take a soil sample before setting students loose with soil probes to collect their own samples. After collecting samples, the students analyzed previously collected data from the same field to determine what crops would grow well and what fertilizers should be added.

The Chapter was more than pleased with their first place win at State and thought that wrapped up this year's competition. Until, that is, they received a letter from Nutrients for Life Regional Representative Rick Phillips, notifying them that Waitsburg's project has been selected as the top in the nation.

"According to our Executive Director in Washington, D. C., the State of Washington had the most and the best quality of Nutrients for Life projects submitted this year," said Phillips.

Abel, Hamann and Chapter President Mikala DeRuwe have been invited to represent Waitsburg at the World Fertilizer Conference sponsored by The Fertilizer Institute in San Francisco. The representatives will fly in on Saturday, Sept. 6, do some sightseeing, and then Hamann will present the project before 600-800 crop nutrient leaders from around the world on Sept. 9, before returning home. Transportation, housing and meal expenses will be covered by the Nutrients for Life Foundation.

"I'm so honored that we, being from such a small town, have been awarded top received the top award in the nation. We were not just in the top ten, but have the privilege of being number one," said DeRuwe.

"This was truly a project of Kimmie's," said Abel. "She came home from the 2013 FFA State Convention inspired after hearing about projects that were hosted by neighboring chapters. She did a wonderful job collaborating with the middle school teachers as well as The McGregor Company to plan a curriculum to teach the 7th and 8th grade students. Kimmie's fellow chapter members were happy to help her teach classes and guide the middle school students through the field day hosted by McGregor's. It is a privilege for me to be able to advise students that have a true passion for agriculture and a drive to share that with others."