Medina ValleyISD
Agriculture Science Program Handbook
2016-2017
Medina Valley High School
8449 FM 471 South
Castroville, Texas 78009
(830) 931-2243
Agriculture Science Teachers and FFA Advisors
Charles Black – – extension 1135
Rodger Welch – – extension 1201
Callie Riff – – extension 1128
Kyla Williamson – – extension 1259
mvhs.ffanow.org
facebook.com/medinavalleyffa
OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLEFOR AGRICULTURE SCIENCE STUDENTSAND FFA MEMBERS
As a student enrolled in the Medina Valley Agriculture Science Program, your child has the opportunity to become a member of the FFA chapter. This is a group of young people who use agriculture to learn leadership, speaking and communication skills, teamwork, responsibility, and technical skills. While the FFA is based in agriculture, there are many activities to get become a part of that do not require working with animals or agriculture.
In the fall FFA members compete in FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs) such as skills demonstrations, agricultural issues forums, parliamentary procedure, public relations, job interviews, and many other speaking and leadership type events. Most animal projects are also started in the fall months and are called FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
During spring time FFA members start to prepare for Career Development Events (CDEs). These include: livestock evaluation, equine evaluation, wildlife management, poultry evaluation, dairy products identification, dairy cattle evaluation, sales and service, and several more speaking events such as prepared public and extemporaneous speaking. The speaking competitions take place in late spring and are called Speaking Development Events (SDEs). During the spring FFA members travel to many locations throughout the state for competitions. January through March also brings several livestock shows for animal project competition. Each year Medina Valley FFA members bring home thousands of dollars in prize money from these shows.
Through the years agricultural education has changed from training young men for a career in farming to a dynamic, progressive way to teach all students the value of leadership and teamwork to achieve success. Agriculture is the most important industry in the world – without the ability to feed people, the United States would not be the world power it is. The FFA also offers many large scholarships for highly active members.
It is our sincere hope that your student will take full advantageof the unbelievable activities available through these courses and the FFA organization. There is an opportunity for every type of student in the FFA.We would like to encourage both the student and parent to join our text reminder group for the FFA. Text @mvffa to 81010 to join and receive reminders about important information. We are looking forward to a great year!
Thank you,
Kyla Williamson
Charlie Black
Rodger Welch
Callie Riff
Medina ValleyAgriscience Program
FFA Advisors / Courses / Livestock / Leadership Development Events / Career Development Events / Speaking Development Events / Miscellaneous
Welch / Ag 101, Small Animal Management, and Livestock Production / cattle / chapter conducting
sr creed speaking / horse judging
livestock judging / land judging
homesite evaluation
Black / Ag Mech / sheep goats / ag skills
jr creed speaking / poultry judging
cotton judging / range evaluation
fundraising
ag mech projects
Riff / Floral Design
Horticulture / radio
ag quiz / floriculture nursery landscape / plant ID
Williamson / Ag 101
Food Tech / swine poultry / job interview
ag issues ag advocacy
public relations / vet science dairy cattle dairy foods
food science / extemp speaking,
prepared speaking, and
soil stewardship / agriscience fair
talent show
This chart will change depending on student and community preference and is solely provided for contacting the appropriate FFA advisor with questions.
To learn more about FFA LDEs visit
To learn more about FFA CDEs visit
1
GENERAL RULES
Each student enrolled in an agriculture scienceclass is encouraged to join the Local, District, Area and NationalFFA Organization (FFA). Dues are $20 per year and must be paid by September 30th. Students who do not join FFA are not eligibleto participate in any FFA activity, judgingcontest, livestock show or for scholarship consideration.
All members are encouraged to attend all FFA meetings and activities. Parents are also encouraged to join and participate in booster club activities.
Any student with frequent discipline issues can be removed from the program if they are involved with ISS or DAEP.
Students must be University Scholastic League eligible to compete in any component of the Medina Valley FFA.
Project record books will be kept by every student in the program. These books are a state requirement and failure to complete the book could result in failure of the class. Record books can be accessed at theaet.com. Ask an agriculture science teacher for log in information.
LIVESTOCK PROJECTS
Students enrolled in the Agriculture Science Program are eligible to participate in the
livestock project program. Students may purchase animal projects to care for during theschool year and exhibit those animals at stock shows. Students may keep the projects at theMedina Valley FFA Project Center (our school farm) or in most cases the animal canbe kept at home. These projects allow students to take on responsibility while having theopportunity to practice the skills learned in class and maybe even earn a little money. Animalprojects are not mandatory so the following questions should be considered whendetermining if a student will participate in the animal project part of the program:
- Can the student or parent afford the project?
- Where will the project be kept?
- Will the student have transportation to and from the animal for care?
- Does the student have means of transporting the animal(s) to and from events?
- Is the student able to care for the animal the entire length of the project? Holidays? Weekends?
Please keep in mind animal projects are a gamble and can become a total monetary loss. Animals can be hurt, killed orbecome sick and not recover. The risk can be reduced by hard work and desire to learn and apply knowledge.
OTHER PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
1. Animals kept at the school farm are raised
for market purposes – this means all animals
will eventually be removedand sold for food.
The Medina Valley FFAfacilities are not a
permanent home for animals.
2. Family domestic animals do not meet the
required project criteria.
3. The types of projects are as follows:
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Swine
Chickens
Rabbits
PURCHASE OF PROJECTS
1. The selection and purchase of an animal
project is a cooperative effort involving the
student, parent and teacher.The agriculture
teacher’s role is to help you find the best
animal possible in the price range set. The
teacher willnot dictate what to buy, how
much to spend or where to purchase from.
2. The purchase of projects should be
coordinated with the teacher before
projects are selected and purchased.
3. The student and parent are responsible for the
cost of the animal as well as feed.
4. Projects purchased must meet the
requirements of the show intended. The
teacher will assist in providing the
necessary information regarding the care and
grooming of projects for each show.
5. The student is responsible for validations and
entries at all shows. There are fees involved
with validation and theentering of each show.
They are not part of the feed cost.
6. In the event a check is returned for non-
sufficient funds, only cash or cashiers check
will be accepted for projectpayment.
ESTIMATED ANIMAL PROJECT EXPENSES
Animal Time Initial Feed Other Total
Required cost costcostest.
Steer 10-12 mos$2500 $2000$400 4500
Pigs 3-5 mos$300-500$450$100725+
Lambs 5-7 mos$300-500$275$75500+
Goats 5-7 mos$300-500$225$75 575+
Chickens42 days $50-75 $200$50 250+
Rabbits 1-2 mos$125+$50$25 200+
Turkeys5-7 mos$170$800 $75 1000+
PROJECT SUPERVISION
The student is responsible for:
1. The daily care of their project.
2. Informing the teacher regarding any problems
and/or progress of the project.
3. The entry fees needed for all stock shows.
4. The payment of feed and animal costs.
5. Attendance at all mandatory barn clean ups
from start to finish.
6. Cleanliness of individual pen and barn.
The parent is responsible for:
1. The general supervision of the project on a
day to day basis.
2. Communication with the teacher should a
question or problem arise concerning the
project or student’sperformance.
3. The transportation of students to the facilities
for feeding and care of the animal twice daily.
4. The transportation, cost of lodging, and
accommodations of students at all stock
shows.
5. Making sure all payments are made by the
student in a timely manner.
6. Being aware of student grades to prevent
inability to show.
7. Following project center behavior guidelines.
The agriculturescience teacher is responsible for:
1. Any problems that may occur with the animal
project during normal working hours. The
teacher is not required tomake emergency
calls after hours for the purpose of treating
sick or injured animals. However, the teacher
willmake every effort to assist when needed
with those problems.
2. The teacher will visit all projects in
accordance with Texas Education Agency
guidelines.
3. Recommending feeding programs for each
animal project area.
4. Livestock show participation is not a
requirement of the program, therefore it
cannot be guaranteed that teachersupervision
will be available at every show. Every effort
will be made for the teacher to attend all
shows.
5. The teacher will assist in giving medications
when possible. The teacher will not be held
liable for injury tolivestock while assisting
the student with their project. This includes
giving medication, castration, dehorning,
docking, worming, trimming or any other
activity directly involving the teacher.
Chain of Command: All questions and concerns for regarding animals and the FFA should first be addressed with the supervising advisor. If that does not satisfy the issue then a meeting may be scheduled with all teachers and an administrator. Ifyou are still not satisfied then the matter can be referred to the central office. Please communicate with your agriculture science teachers.
LIVESTOCK SHOW PARTICIPATION
1. To show an animal project a student must be a
member of the Medina Valley FFA.
2. In order to participate in a livestock show,
students must be passing all courses as
determined by Medina Valley ISD.
3. Students whose projects are not ready or are
not of sufficient quality to participate in a
show will not be allowed toshow. This
decision will be made by the teacher.
4. A list of eligible students will be prepared by
the teacher to authorize attendance at the
show. Any student that attends on an
unassigned day will be reported as truant.
5. Parent permission forms must be signed and
returned before a student leaves school for a
show.
6. The parents and student will make
arrangements with the teacher for supervision
at majorshows.
7. Students and parents are responsible for
transportation, lodging, and costs at major
stockshows.
8. School policies will be enforced and discipline
will be according to school policies.
9. Students who fail to follow rules at shows or
contests will be removed from the eligibility
list and barred from futureparticipation.
10. School dress code will be enforced at all
times.
CODE OF ETHICS
Agriculture science students will honor the FFA Code of Ethics. Failure to comply with the code of ethics will result in removal from the program. Students will conduct themselves at all times in a mannerbefitting their organization, chapter, school and community by:
1. Dressing neatly and appropriately for the
occasion.
2. Showing respect for the rights of others and
being courteous.
3. Being honest and not taking unfair advantage
of others.
4. Respecting the property of others.
5. Refraining from loud, boisterous talk,
swearing, and other unbecoming conduct.
6. Demonstrating sportsmanship in the show
ring, judging contests, and meetings.
7. Attending meetings promptly and respecting
the opinion of others in discussions.
8. Taking pride in the Medina Valley FFA.
GUIDELINES FOR THE MEDINA VALLEY FFA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE FACILITIES
1. All policies of Medina Valley ISD
governing students’ conduct applies
to all students. Policies governingsmoking,
illegal weapons, and alcohol for any person
on school property will also apply at all times.
Violationforms will be issued for students
failing to comply with project center rules.
Guests of students who violate ruleswill also
result in the student receiving a violation
notice. Three violation notices, verbal or
written, will result in the removal of the
project from the Medina Valley FFA
facilities.
2. Students and parents are responsible for
transportation to and from the facilities.
3. The primary responsibility for discipline and
supervision rests with the student or
parents when instructor is notpresent after
hours.
4. Students will be held financially accountable
for willful acts of vandalism.
5. Use of tobacco or alcohol by students or
parentson the premises will result in
immediate removal of the student and project.
6. Each student is responsible for keeping his/her
pen and the surrounding area clean. Pens must
be cleaned on a dailybasis.
7. Each student is responsible for feeding and
general care of his/her project. Students
may not feed animals thatdo not belong
to them unless prior arrangements have been
made with the owner or agriculture science teacher.
8. Any student failing to properly care for their
animal may be turned in to the campus police
for animal cruelty andcriminal charges.
9. Each and every student who uses Medina
Valleyfacilities is expected to attend all
workdays from start to finish. Failure to do so
willresult in a violation notice.
10. A student should not be in another student’s
pen unless permission is given by teacher,
owner, or parent.
11. Firearms are prohibited.
12. Pets and dogs are prohibited.
13. A non-refundable fee will be required to use
Medina Valley FFAfacilities.
14. Projects are considered complete within 7
days of the student’s last show and must be
removed from the facilities.
15. If it becomes necessary to remove a student’s
animal, the owner will have three days to
remove the animal. If theanimal is not
removed at that time, it will be picked up by
an authorized livestock hauler and shipped to
SeguinCattle Company at the owner’s
expense. The remainder of the money from
the sale of the animal will be sent to the
owner.
16. Only students currently enrolled in the Medina Valley FFA or the Medina Valley High School Agriculture Science Program are eligible to use theMedina Valley FFAfacilities. Students not enrolled
in the program should not loiter at the
facilities.
17. Visitors with any membermusthave approvalwith the agriscience teacher prior to visit.Any unapproved visitor can be cited for trespassing by Medina County Sheriff’s Department. Agriculture scienceteachers have the right to remove and ban any visitors from the facilities.
18. Animal pens must be cleaned within 7 days
after the project is completed. All students
using the facilities mustattend all workdays
determined by the teachers. Failure to attendall workdays or clean pens could result in checks being held or being denied the privilege of using the facilities.
19. No mechanical, wooden, electrical or metal
structures may be placed in pens without the
teacher’s approval.
20. Loitering at the facilities will not be allowed.
Students who are present must be working
with their animal orcleaning pens. Failure to
comply with this rule will result in a
violation notice.
21. Students and parents must observe opening
and closing times for the facilities. Anyone
entering the facilitiesbefore/after hours will
be issued a violation notice unless approved
by teacher. The hours are 6:00 am to 10:00
pm.
22. Fighting will not be tolerated. Both parties
involved will be immediately removed from
thefacilities – no excuses!
23. Students will be assigned weekly jobs to
perform. Any student failing to do their part
will be given a violationnotice.
ANIMAL PROJECTS AT HOME
When the facilities are adequate, some students may decide to raise livestock projects at home. When making thisdecision, consider the following:
1. It is highly recommended that only
experienced feeders keep their animals at
home. Supervision by teachers cannot be
expected to be more than 1-2 visits per
month. The project supervision form in the
handbook must be filled out and returned prior
to project visits.
2. Students must be able to provide
transportation for animals to shows,
validations, and veterinary visits.
3. Selection is the most important part of your
animal project. Please communicate with your agriculture science teachers.
BOOSTER CLUB ACTIVITIES
The Medina Valley FFA Booster Club is responsible for raising funds to help agriculture students in many ways. The primary fundraising is done to support scholarships for graduating seniors in the Medina Valley FFA.While participation of parents in this club is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged.It also allows parents to have a vote in club activities and gives them valuable information about theirchild’s activities in the FFA. Parent participation does not affect the student’s opportunity to receive scholarshipsfrom the booster club.
JUNIOR FFA MEMBERSHIP
Junior FFA is a statewide organization with the purpose of enhancing and encouraging the education of younger students who are interested in the future of the agriculture industry. The organization of the Junior FFA is entirely optional, with the need of such an organization to be determined by the local FFA chapter advisors.
- Junior FFA member dues are $20 per school year and are due on September 30th, 2016.
- Students initiate junior membership by participating in local functions designated by the advisors. Junior FFA members must meet the same requirements and follow the same rules as FFA members.
- Junior FFA membership activities shall include exhibition of livestock and poultry projects.
- Junior FA members are not permitted to vote.
- Junior FFA members must attend mandatory FFA activities to include barn clean ups and county show clean up.
- It is recommended that Medina Valley Junior FFA members are also members of the local 4-H chapter. The local 4-H chapter is able to offer more opportunities for involvement for students not yet of high school age.
- It is required that Junior FFA members be enrolled in Medina Valley ISD.
Castroville 4-H Leaders