River Valley High School FFA

you

River Valley School Fair is not too far down the road, and they're getting busy already.

And to talk to us today is Mrs. Sherry Grafunder, FFA advisor at River Valley.

We also have in the studio the president, River Valley FFA, Aliyah Hatfield.

We have the secretary, Peyton Miley, and the treasurer, Will Prem, in studio with us today as well.

Well, good morning, Sherry.

You look rather well rested today.

Good morning, Phil.

Thank you.

I do feel well rested at this point in the year.

You're going to hit the ground running here pretty soon though, aren't you?

We've already hit the ground running.

Um, this is the week we have started to get all our materials prepped for the back to school so that the students can have the fair book and all the reminders in their hand.

Cause we're just around a month before the river valley school fair will be happening.

So one month until homecoming week hits us.

How many broad stands have you done this summer?

We have only done one in May up at Aiders and we did not do any for the school fair this year so we took this year off to recoup and wait for volunteers come out to help.

Hit the ground running though with a lot of things but really you never stop during the FFA year do you?

No we have something planned well more than one thing planned each month and the students do a great job of turning out

nice products.

So like currently we had some students showing up the Wisconsin State Fair their projects and then we had other students who were hired by the Wisconsin State Fair to clean up the grounds and do things like that.

So very proud of those students who traveled to West Alice to do things like that.

That's awesome and how did the students do that we're showing?

So very well.

This was Austin's last year for us for Dairy Cattle and then the people in the meat and goat industries didn't take the champion rounds but exhibited well.

Well, good.

Congratulations to them.

And now I guess they're probably showing at the respective county fairs, right?

They've been doing that.

So yes, the Sock County Fair.

We had Austin showing there for us.

And so again, it's his last year.

He did really well with his Brown Swiss.

And then now we're heading into Iowa and Richland County fairs.

And Mackenzie will be at the Iowa County Fair showing under 4-H in that realm.

So can't wait to support her and our other youth that are coming up.

to be an FFA member soon.

And then at Richland County Fair, it's always nice to see all the students participate in there.

And we have a lot of young youth in the Valley that show at Richland County Fair as well.

Do you go and help?

Because I know you and Mr. Glassburner have helped out in the past.

Yes, we are doing Iowa County together, the Dairy Show.

And then Richland County, Mr. Glassburner will be doing that one by himself.

Okay.

Helping to open the gates or whatever needs to happen

then.

Yes.

He loves working the swine show there.

And then the dairy show is always fun because we get to talk with the exhibitors as they're working.

And then I like helping them when the judge isn't looking.

I like to give a few tips.

Sure.

Anyway, you can.

So you're, you're kind of here today to kind of promote the fact that you need to start getting the entries in line and get ready then, right?

Yes, our fair book this year will be posted out through the River Valley FFA Facebook page along with the district's Facebook page instead of traditionally being on our school districts page this year just so that parents are aware that we're going through social media.

Students that are in the district in the lower levels will get an actual printed fair book this year so that they can take that home.

Exhibits, our entries are due on Wednesday, September 16th by 3.30 to the high school or the respective schools.

After that, we take time, meaning the fair secretaries will get things organized and get the animal counts off of those sheets so that we're ready for Monday when we set up the pavilion.

Tim Johnson just emailed this morning and said they'll start that at 4.30 on Monday, the 21st.

And art and photography are due that day as well.

We just like to be able to have the ability to hang artwork up as we're getting the gym ready.

Tuesday evening will be entry tag, writing night in the egg room of the junior high high school.

And then Wednesday we transfer, transform that intermediate school gym into our

Fair entry for all the different arts crafts, woodworking, leather craft, vegetables, crops, all those students can bring that in Thursday starting at 715-5pm and

We close at five for judging.

Judging is a closed session.

Most of the people are heading off to the volleyball game at that time, so we don't have a lot of interruption.

And then Friday is our big event, and we start that with the weigh-ins.

We're going to start weigh-ins earlier this year because we need it.

swine measure or weighed in by 730 so that we can start the swine show at eight o'clock this year.

We decided that it's easier to move the swine early in the morning.

They might not have their coffee yet.

So it's sometimes easier to get them to go with the flow and then we'll transfer into showing beef goats and then finally end on dairy.

So

People who are interested in coming to the auction, we're going to get your bidder numbers from 1030 to 1130.

We close that at 1130, so the fair secretaries and the clerking crew have enough time to get their paperwork in order for the auction to start at noon.

You had so many animals last year, and I'm guessing you're thinking you're going to have that many or more this year than it sounds like.

Yes, we increased in hogs again this year.

We had 48 identified.

So 48 exhibitors there.

And then we have seven beef identified this year.

And goats and dairy cattle don't have to pre-identify.

And breeding classes of market beef do not have to identify until the 16th.

Our numbers are increasing in the animal area again.

Yes.

And again, the date of the fair is

Friday, September 25th.

So next year, it'll be the first week in October, but this year it is the last Friday in September, Friday, September 25th.

And a lot of it goes along with where you can get a home football game for when your homecoming game falls.

So

years ago, we.

asked that it be either be the last Friday in September or the first Friday in October after we had the third Friday in September.

So we went from Iowa, Richland and a school fair.

Boy, that homecoming happened fast.

And so it's just easier on everyone if we can try to get one of those two weeks, the last Fridays in September or the first Friday in October.

Every year we talk about how strong your officer's crew is and they had to say goodbye to a few of those this past spring, didn't

you?

Oh, quite a few.

Payton and Aliyah are the only returnees, so yes, we had a very successful officer team last year and they were ready to move on by February.

Definitely, they all had their future plans in place, so it's great to see that they have completed their scholarship forms and sent them in to Will so that we know that they're

advancing on their next plans.

And not only officers, we had a huge group of FA members move out as well.

So we're out busy recruiting that eighth grade level already to build.

our program back up as far as getting members in we have a huge freshman class of 22 coming in so that'll help balance our high school numbers but again we want to make sure that we're getting down to the eighth grade level and get that recruitment going.

Indeed and kind of keep them going and you know some of these that they've been in FFA since their middle school years then right?

Yes all of them have been

I had to look around the room quick, because after a while they blend together, we'll say, or I call them by their parents' name.

So yes, we've had all of them since eighth grade be actively involved.

As you see over the years, Peyton has talked about being in egg sales.

Will also does that.

So you just try to find the kids' exact science that they have and master that a little bit, or you find a skill that they didn't realize they had a passion for, like Paige didn't know if she loved floral.

culture area, and she now competes very successfully in Florida culture.

And so she's found some friends who love that same artistic flair.

So we can build various programs based off of students and their interests.

And then Aliyah has a huge horse following situation.

So we will let her talk more about her SAE and that, but she worked really well with the eighth graders last year.

So it is great to see the kids growing the program because that's what it is about, is getting people in the door and showing them all the options that we have available for them.

Well, we'll talk to the press.

Good morning, Aliyah.

How are you?

Good.

Good to have you in here.

So tell us a little bit about your horse projects.

I currently have three horses.

One is a

younger ones, so we're still trying to figure some things out.

This past weekend I did state NBHA, so it's the National Barrel Horse Association.

Went there, ran at state.

My horse competed pretty good, so just the fact of building on what he knows and trying to push him to his best potential.

That's gotta be tough because you could have the best day ever, but it also depends on the animal too, doesn't it?

Totally.

You never know what's gonna happen, so you always kind of gotta be cautious of what can and just hope that never happens.

Where was state located

at?

It was in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

So you have to do a lot of trailering and road time too, don't

you?

Yes.

My dad sure loves pulling the trailer to places.

So you are a junior or you will be a junior this year then.

Yes, I will be.

So you rose to the presidency.

Did you have to campaign for that or how does that

work?

Our officer applications kind of they missed you will send out an application.

You fill it out and then you'll have an interview with.

the interviewing committee.

So basically you do that process and they'll come to a verdict at the end.

So you didn't, you don't really have to campaign.

Everybody has a fair shot.

So

you plan on being president for a couple of years then?

That's the goal.

We'll see where it takes me

though.

Okay.

And responsibilities as, as president, it's quite a load then for you.

It is, but I feel like I do a good job of making it work.

checking in to see how everybody's doing, how the committees are going.

So as long as I stay on top of it, smooth sailing pretty much.

Wonderful.

And so what are you in charge of in terms of the River Valley school fair this year?

For the school fair, I am co-chairing the food stand with Will and I'm also chairing the flow and I'm going to chair the 50-50 raffle at the homecoming football game.

That's a lot to do.

That'll be a busy day for you, won't

it?

It will be.

Sure.

And then in terms of FFA, what are some projects that you're involved

in?

Currently, this summer, we did the back to school drive.

We partnered with the Chamber of Commerce.

So we set out these barrels in different locals, like all the banks, all the libraries at the schools.

So people could come in, drop off school supplies for maybe some students that are in need of some, and they couldn't get their hands on some.

So it really just brought the community up to the challenge and helped donate some to people in need.

Great.

And you're involved in SAE program, as you mentioned.

Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

So an SAE is a supervised agriculture experience.

I obviously work with horses, so that's one.

It's equine entrepreneurship.

And I also do one called agricultural education, where I will go during the school year to the younger students' classrooms.

So like elementary school, maybe some intermediate, and I'll basically talk to them or like create lessons.

kind of like I'm a mini ag teacher so I'll go there and then I'll make a little lesson and then I'll do it with them and kind of teach them what agriculture is.

It isn't hard to get youngsters fired up about horses I don't think is it?

It's not very hard they usually really like the animal part of it but we're also trying to incorporate like the leadership part of it and there's so much more to agriculture than just farming.

And do you go out and help to recruit FFA members?

I certainly do.

Last year I helped recruit most of the middle schoolers, but it also helps because I have two younger siblings.

So my younger sister will be coming up into the eighth grade.

So her class will be the next recruit.

And like having that connection, it makes it kind of easier.

It's the cool thing to do.

I mean, you've got a strong program there at River Valley.

So it's probably not a hard sell, is it?

Always.

Kids are always so interested.

Depends because you kind of got to gauge your focus of what they're looking for an FFA like they could be like really farming they could be like speaking competitions or CDE career development events like there's so much more to FFA than just farming.

Indeed and then there's a meeting coming up.

I believe for those that want to be new members, right?

There is for after open house August 25th We're gonna have a meeting at 6 p.m.

To kind of introduce FFA and agriculture to some students that might be interested and kind of like Lay out what are yours gonna look like for them if they're?

Thinking about participating in a thing.

What's the next big thing other than the fair you have some competitions coming up in the fall?

Yes, we will have our LDE's leadership development events coming up.

Those are our speaking competitions So last year I competed in employability skills.

It's like a job interview pretty much So I placed really well on that and then I went on to districts and regionals

So it's actually you sit down and they ask you questions about why you're qualified for the job and those kind of yes,

you create your own job so

I work at Prem Meats now, so I kind of like spend off and create my own meat store.

So I interviewed for that.

Interesting.

So if you were going to start your own meat store, what would it be?

How could you envision that?

I kind of just based it off Prem's because like I'm there a lot.

So I'm like, this, this works pretty well.

I'm going to try to make my own.

Like when I was thinking of meat store, I kind of just took what Prem is and then twisted it a little bit to try to like,

fit my personality in what I think would work best.

Wonderful.

I'm sure it would be successful there.

Have you thought about a career?

I mean, you're only a junior, I know, but what would you like to get

into?

Um, I've been thinking about a couple of things.

I really like the animal side of agriculture.

So like maybe a vet technician somewhere.

Also, I really liked the teaching part of it.

So like educating kids on what agriculture is and like trying to get all those opportunities out to help them figure out what they also need.

So Miss G will be retiring, you know, what?

four years.

I have a few more years.

I'm just trying to get her a job as well.

Yeah, that's true.

Thanks for coming in, Aliyah.

We appreciate you.

Let's go next to the, uh, the secretary.

He's a senior.

I've been on this program before.

Good morning, Peyton Miley.

How you doing?

I'm doing good in yourself.

Ah, doing real well.

How are things in arena these days?

Um, it's going pretty good.

Tonight we've got our home talent.

playoff game against sun prayer.

I believe it is.

That's right.

No, you're going to be there.

So get to see you again today.

Right.

Yeah.

Twice in one day.

I'm just so lucky.

I

mean,

well, tell us what you do with river valley FFA, Peyton

also on the secretary.

So I'm kind of in charge of like, when we have our meetings, like last month, we had a week long, um, officer training where we got to talk about what we're going to be doing, the chairs, how we decided like that.

Aliyah is going to be doing her.

the float, the, um, food stand 50, 50 year affluent, the food stands.

So we just went and I made sure that everyone, like I wrote it down, made sure everything was right.

And that way miss, I've been able to help out miss G with different things, getting stuff organized.

And then near the end of the year, which we can start actually right now, there's the national chapter award where we have to have, I believe it is 12 different

Goals that we have to have done by the end of the year.

So two years ago.

We've got the national three-star award where we were really proud of our work there and We're just hoping to be able to repeat that again this year and have something really special.

You

set personal goals for yourself Yes, I have set personal goals.

I know I'm sure Aliyah and will have their own goals Lee G's got goals for us But as a chapter, that's what we're doing too is having goals.

Mm-hmm

And can you set any light on any of those?

So one of the things we do is our eye chair later in the year will be the Veterans Day gift bags.

So we have a list of veterans in the communities from as far out as SOC, MAISO, and just like all around the River Valley area.

We go out and we give them a gift bag and thank them for their donations.

And then we're going to ask the United States AP class to

write thank you letters for all the veterans.

And then they just get about, I think last year we had 20 thank you letters from that class.

And then we, I mean, we get, we get to have certain kids go out that want to help the community or give back to the veterans that have that connection and they get to talk to them, make their day.

That's gotta be rewarding.

Yeah.

I've been able to do it the past two years and I've just, I've loved doing it.

So.

I'm glad I get to do it again this year.

Yeah.

And you guys do a lot of other cool things.

Do you still take a meal to a farmer from time to time?

Cause I know you used to do that.

I know we did that.

I believe we did it two years ago and we didn't have someone that, uh, or we couldn't find a student that wanted to do it last year.

So I'm looking to find a student this year that really has that passion to do it this year and hopefully the next couple of years.

Wonderful.

What are you in charge of at the fair then specifically at

the fair?

I'm doing the interactive egg stations.

So we've got around 10 of them this year Starting off.

We've got the Spudmobile So

it's uh

talks about the potatoes and how Wisconsin ranks third in the nation with that

If you've gone to farm if you've gone to farm tech days, it is literally a mobile trailer that highlights our third like

potatoes are our third crop so meaning we rank third in the nation producing it and it has interactive stations within it so it's a huge

like coach bus size, um, Spudmobile.

So it's new.

Peyton just got informed that this morning.

So I didn't get to tell him all the

highlights.

I'm glad you elaborated because the first thing with Peyton, I'm thinking it's a potato and then he's got toothpicks in there and made wheels or it's more elaborate than that.

Yeah.

What else?

We've got our rain simulator with the Salt County Conservation Services and it just talks about how rain impacts the earth and in various areas on the earth.

Um, and then we've got Wisconsin beef council will be coming out and talking about just different things with the dairy cattle or beef cattle.

Sorry.

And so something along those lines.

And then we've got egg jeopardy.

Hopefully we're looking for someone to be able to run that, but you just walk up and you started answering questions and you get a certain amount of points, you know, how jeopardy works.

Um, next we've got genetics.

And it just talks about today's agricultural use of genetics to create desired herd.

And then we've got Jennifer Russell is coming out.

We're still finding out what she's got planned.

It's going to be a surprise.

So hopefully we got something good coming with her.

And then we've got the Wisconsin Pork Association coming out.

And they're going to be talking about different various products that come from the pig and what's new in the swine industry.

And then Southwest Tech is having the soil tunnel.

So I'm

not.

So the soil tunnel is a walkthrough situation.

So it's kind of like you are underground and you can see what lives in the soil so that you can see that it's a living environment.

So they'll have worms that kind of, you know, pretend they're going through.

They show you the different components of soil so that you don't just think it's dirt.

And I always tell the kids soil is a living situation, dirt's what you find on the floor, and you sweep up and throw away.

So just trying to get people to see that.

It's new from Southwest Tech, so Andrew and Cory are coming out from Southwest Tech and running that for us and showing kids careers that lead to agronomy and more situations.

That's awesome.

Yeah, that sounds fascinating.

I look forward to seeing that as well.

Anything else,

Peyton?

the skills USA is doing a welding simulator.

So students get to go out and like practice welding almost not, not actually doing welding with that whole system, but it's a simulator so that they get to experience what it would be like in her class, Mrs. Carmody's class, if they choose to take it when they get to high school.

And then we have, is it, I think, I believe it's Miss USA, newly elected Miss USA or Mrs. USA is coming to the school fair.

Yes, so Mrs. USA lives in our district, Stephanie Kramer.

And so she was Mrs. Wisconsin in 2025.

So she has a platform called Hearts and Pause.

So she will be reading a book to some of our elementary age students on up and then explaining what her platform is.

So we have Stephanie in our backyard.

So we're going to utilize

her talents and have her talk about her platform and share her passion with people.

I did not know that.

That is very cool.

And oftentimes, Alice in Dairyland comes down to the fair too.

Yes.

And this year, I don't personally know the Alice's.

So that's how we've gotten them in.

The kids looked at me and I said, well, they are either friends of mine from growing up, children or egg teachers, children.

So I'm not afraid to ask those.

We do have an application in to see if Alice would be able to make it.

And so far,

have not heard back because, you know, state fair was happening.

So they had a busy plate right now.

Sure.

She's been busy.

She took over in July.

I know.

Yes.

July 6th.

Yep.

Hopefully she comes out because River Valley School Fair is one of, I believe, only three in the state.

So it's very unique.

Yeah.

Anything else, Peyton?

We also have one more.

We've got, or we've got a couple more.

We've got antsy pants, face peening,

And so the kids get to go up and get their face painted however they want.

And then we have Haven's petting farm from 9 to 11.

And it's over by the WIC buildings.

So you should be able to see them.

I mean, they're going to be right out in the open.

And then we also have doing the ribbons at the show ring is the Salt County Ferris the Fair.

I, it's Anna.

I'm not sure how to pronounce her last name.

Garakie, I think.

Garakie.

is when I'm being told Anna Gerke and we've been we've worked with her when she was in high school and she's great and we're so glad we get to have her come out.

Sounds like it's a full plate of stuff.

Oh yeah.

You always have some fun stuff some surprises too you had like um

Bossy bingo, I believe it was or what was oh, yeah, yeah, like a cow chip.

Oh, we had cow chip throw and greedy was in charge of games a

couple of years ago, so But he's graduated now.

So you don't have to worry about that What about SAE?

We were gonna talk about that as well.

So my SAE I'm doing I do landscape installation is technically what it's called But I work up that house on the rock golf course under Matt Gibson and I just

Start there.

I do basically rake the bunkers weed whack too young to mow up there right now But hopefully maybe in the future I'd be able to mow and if there's right now we're doing a lot of with the watering systems We've got to get some stuff fixed so we get to work on that with him

You probably have to teach him some things don't you man?

Sometimes not a lot though.

Usually he's the one teaching me

Well, that's a great opportunity for you.

Is that something that you might want to get into someday, Peyton?

I've thought about it, but I'm actually looking into more business education in the business realm.

I just, I like doing up, working up there because I mean, I'm a big golfer.

That's what I do in the spring.

And so I figured what, what not to do.

I mean, that's what I like to do.

Get to manage or work on the golf course.

It's just great.

That's a dream job there for you and two is golf, the, the loan sport you're out for then?

Yes, it

is.

And other things you're involved in at River Valley other than FFA.

Really?

It's just FFA golf.

I mean, if our class needs help with fundraisers, I'll be glad to go out and help with that.

But otherwise it's just that or I'm working.

So

yeah, full slate of stuff.

We've got more to talk about.

We have another guy who's been quiet in the corner here, Will Prem.

We'll talk to him when we continue with more of the River Valley FFA in the studio and promoting the upcoming River Valley School Fair September 25th.

We'll be right back.

Our friends from River Valley FFA are visiting today.

We have in the studio some of the members of the leadership crew, including Treasurer Will Prem.

Good morning.

Well, morning.

How's it going?

Going real well.

So you're going into your junior year?

Are you really excited about school starting again?

Oh, yeah, you know what?

I mean, junior year is usually the bigger year.

So really starting to hammer down on school and stuff as well as a bunch of different clubs, including the FFA.

So be a good year.

Good.

What are the other clubs you're involved in?

I'm a lot.

So I'm in like the Spanish club, student council, jazz band, forensics.

Um, pretty much anyone that you can name really full

slate of stuff.

Oh yeah.

Absolutely.

So as far as the FFA was at a hard sell when you were in middle school, somebody said you should join the FFA.

Oh yeah.

It was actually, um, Aliyah's older sister was kind of like the one in charge of little kids at that point.

So she was the one that kind of got me into it.

And ever since I've really had an interest in it and spent a good time.

And what about competitions?

Are you involved in anything during the year?

Uh, yeah.

So like I do our, um,

CDEs so that's what we mentioned egg sales so a lot of that's trying to you know the business aspect of FFA and trying to like sell products to people in a competition and It's actually a really good time.

I enjoyed a lot, but

can you give us some examples of some things some products that you had to sell

like?

This past year usually you get to there's like three options you get to pick this year I chose like soybean crop so you meet with a farmer who's actually a representative of FS like the farming company and stuff but you just try to sell them your product and give them like their

high keys and everything about it and try to make the sale but they grade you on it and

There's also a written test that comes with it and like an after follow-up phone call.

But

yeah, it's a good time.

Were you surprised when you joined FFA as Aliyah had said earlier, the number of things that you can do in terms of competition?

Yeah, for sure.

I mean, when you're not in FFA, most people think it's like a lot of just, you know, farming.

But there's a lot more that goes into it.

And there's really any interest you have.

There's something that the FFA has for it.

And I think that's what we're trying to hammer down, especially on the little kids right now.

And FFA has a lot of opportunities.

And just trying it out, you'll be able to see that.

for sure.

So treasure that comes with some responsibility doesn't

it?

Oh yeah a lot of behind the scenes work but most of it's you know just kind of putting in receipts making sure all the the checkbooks balanced and everything looks good but a lot of work especially on the school fair time you know buying a lot of stuff getting everything prepared but it's good time it's I like it I enjoy it.

So you still use a checkbook?

Oh yeah I try to a lot of it's online now but I'm

impressed

yeah

That's

a forgotten skill.

Oh yeah, I got my spreadsheets.

I got her all figured out.

Gotta make it balance.

There you go.

So tell me about what you will be involved with with the upcoming school fair at River Valley.

Oh yeah, so I mean for the FFA, I'll be on the culture along with Aliyah for the food stand not to mention all the other clubs I'll be helping out with that day, but for the food stand, you know, it's just a lot of getting it prepared.

So forgetting all the food and everything we need ready and finding the help and the space for it, which

And then we have the Lone Rock EMS Donates that are cooler, which huge thank you to them just because that saves us a ton on storage for everything, especially when it's not the easiest to store all this food.

But also like the donors and our helpers like Jason and Heather Meixelsberger, Kevin Graffunder, and some local businesses like Prem Meats, Straka Meats, and Quick Trip, along with Joe Knockriner.

But a lot of them are just a huge help getting it set up and being able to run at the day of because it is a lot of work.

I can't believe how they line up.

When the food stand opens up, they're about 10 deep at 10 o'clock in the morning.

I

know, it's crazy.

I mean, we start even at like five in the morning, but it's like just the entire time, it's just crazy.

I mean, three lines of people and it's just all the way back and you wouldn't even think there's that many people there, but oh yeah, they line up.

Is it a big fundraiser for River Valley FFA?

Oh yeah, that's where actually we get, I mean, it's one of our biggest fundraisers along.

in the year especially um just food Santa helps and a lot of people working towards it and um also we get donated stuff from like arena cheese as well so they donate a lot and a huge thank you to them but we have some other ones like the um smoke in the valley which is a thing the premise does and in September but we do fundraisers there as well you know we do like meat paddles so

Other ways to make money, but yeah, school fair in the food stand is one of our biggest ones.

Wonderful.

And that's coming up before we know it.

You know, it just seems like the summer flew.

Yeah, I

know.

I mean, a lot of planning already, but it's just like, where did the time go?

It's crazy.

Did you work on any FFA projects during the summer?

A little bit.

A lot of it, I mean, like I said, behind the scenes work and it's a lot of time just coming in into the school and just working on stuff as treasurer.

but also like planning like this and getting ready for school fair and stuff like that.

What about your SAE?

Uh, yeah.

So my SAE is a agricultural processing.

I work in spring green at prem meat.

So a lot of behind the scenes work and a lot of it's just documenting everything that goes on.

So it includes like the meat processing, getting it made and the packaging and also the retail part of it.

So, you know, being in front, working with customers and how that kind of the behind the scene stuff works.

It's a lot of just documenting and kind of showing how that stuff goes.

When you're working in the retail part of Prem's is hard not to be like hungry all the time.

time?

Uh, very actually.

Yeah.

Um, yeah.

Lunch is probably the best part of the day there, but, uh, but, uh, yeah, it's, I like it.

It's really fun and especially fun, you know, be around people and being able to help people and stuff like that.

And yeah, it's a good time.

What's like the biggest seller?

Um, I got to say the fresh case, you know, a lot of stakes and stuff like that.

But, um, otherwise, you know, usually, um, like brats and our brot buns, you know, if anyone goes to premise, you know, they'll sell out very quickly.

but

the snack sticks are

snack sticks all in the summer sausage it just flies off the shelves

hard to beat yeah good stuff and you mentioned the smoke in the valley event that's coming up soon yeah so

it'll be September 12th so a couple weeks before school fair but that's how we do a lot there especially me personally but um you know you do like meat paddles and stuff so we get another way for us to raise money and yeah what about uh have you thought about a career um i'm not sure right now i mean obviously um

I work at primates so I mean that might be my dad's one of the owners so a lot going on there and um that could be one part of the future but we'll see where it takes me.

Right FFA can take in a lot of different directions and oh yeah for sure.

A lot of things

to get more background in like the community service and you know like the agricultural part of working at primates and stuff.

Indeed so it's coming up right down the the pike here for river valley school fair anything you want to add today.

Not really.

I think we hammered all the points.

Good.

Good to have you.

Sherry, you got a good group.

It looks like even though you graduated some good ones, you've got some pretty strong leaders back here.

Yes, I'm blessed to have a strong program advancing forward.

So as they retire, I like to say or graduate, we can use them as alumni members.

So remember, if you're a parent of one of these students or recently graduated, you can always be an alumni member because obviously many hands may

So I do want to give you some auction updates so that you're aware.

So auction starts at noon on Friday, September 25th.

Strakas are willing to take up to four beef to be scheduled for slaughter on a Wednesday.

So they will set that up with you to bring in on September 30th.

I know that's a Tuesday, but they're gonna bring in on the 30th natural harvest a division of prem meets will take around 20 hogs for the auction After that the overflow will head to equity

And Andy will give us prices on Wednesday that week and we will promote it on our Facebook page once we get those stats from Andy.

So realize that the market is fluid.

So if Strakas or Prem's have additional openings, they will let us know prior to the auction.

So if you're there by 1130, you'll be able to hear all the announcements and the updates from Terry, Andy, and Caitlin.

And then obviously from Andy for equity.

Just want to remind people that we only have two main destinations for hogs.

Again, that's equity or natural harvest.

We did raise the weights of hogs this year from up to 210 to 285.

So if you're a buyer, anything over 285 is a price discount for you because we have some heavy hogs coming in at 300.

So you'd get 15 pounds of extra meat if that

hog was 300 pounds.

So just making you aware of that avenue.

We do want to thank River Valley FFA alumni and WIC buildings for sponsoring Haven's petting zoo.

And that is only from nine to 11.

So if you want to come and see the petting zoo, we only booked them for two hours because once the auction starts, that causes some stress on animals and we don't want them to be stressed.

Havens leaves at 11 o'clock that day.

And finally, before I announce our 63rd annual school fair is going to be on Friday, September 25th.

If you have questions, you can give us a call at the junior high high school at 608-588-2554.

And our extension in the ag room is 2152.

So calling the high school and extension 2152.

And then I met with Eric Breel this morning, Phil, and he just wants you and Hank to develop tougher trivia questions.

So he wants them to be more challenging as he drives to Fenimore.

Is that

right?

Wow.

I don't know how they could get any tougher, you know, and no one has lived as long as Eric.

So, you know, it's hard to go back that far.

When

you're as seasoned as he is, he knows all those answers.

So he's got a steel trap mind up there.

So he likes to challenge us.

I'm sure he does.

Yeah.

We'll be seeing him.

Good old semi-retired Eric real.

So

the joke in the fall is that he runs the egg department and I'm the sub.

So we like to joke about that.

Yes, we do like to joke about that.

So.

On a serious note, if you have young kids, we are offering the petal pole and more games on that day.

The committee is still working on finding workers for those situations.

So there will be more activities.

And then of course, as always, to include all of the organizations, Food and Fundraisers is River Valley FFA Food Stand.

The River Valley Area Community Gardens will have their Carmel Apples there again this year.

The classes will have their fundraisers, so 27, 28, 29, and 20, 30 will all have some sort of fundraiser.

Yes, I know, I was like 20, 30.

20, 30,

yeah, I guess you're right.

And then the student council will have their fundraiser.

Those are the ones that have gotten a hold of me so far.

They're still deciding what they're going to sell, but that's different activities that'll be on the grounds as well.

It is such a huge undertaking.

You couldn't do it without your alumni and all your volunteers, could you?

Yes, the officer team, I think experiences how big this is when they start to serve as an officer.

And yes, they come back as alumni to help and that's great because they know the ins and outs and all of that.

So we couldn't do it without Rachel Tiffany as our fair secretaries pulling that all together.

And then obviously you've heard what the officers are all in charge of.

And then yes, the alumni, all of them serve in various capacities, but the livestock committee,

has been sending a lot of emails this morning.

So thank you for all of that.

And yeah, we couldn't do it without the support of the community and all our FVLM members out to help us.

Once again, maybe you could go over the deadlines then when people need to get stuff in, Sherry.

So Wednesday, September 16th is when entries are due.

Monday, September 21st, art and photography are due.

And then Thursday, the 24th from 7.15 to 5 p.m.

is where you can bring all the indoor exhibits.

And then Friday morning, the scale will open up early and we'll have our vet checks happen.

Steers need to go to FS to weigh in.

Mike Subronic is opening the scale up for you at 6 a.m.

And then the rest of the animals will weigh in on the fairgrounds, but steers must go to FS.

Our scale is not built for the solid animals they are.

So FS graciously opens up their scale for us.

Animals need to be in place for swine by 730.

Other animals by 745 shows start at eight.

The horse show is run by Craig Newheisel, so that is a morning of registration, so they should be registered prior to 8.30 and the events that they want to do.

The reason we do that is we have them compete on grass.

We don't want the animals injured, so if we have a lot of grass out there, we do different events.

So Craig gets to make that call, so he's already ordered his trophies and awards and cannot wait to see who all the winners are for that horse show.

So many things have been started and goings, but if you have any questions, please reach out and let us know.

The number again is 608-588-2554 extension 2152.

Again, we have you on a little early, but there's a reason for that because you got all these deadlines coming up and people need to make plans and market on their calendar, don't they?

Yes.

I always tell the kids we better be early so that people know when cause once school starts, all of a sudden homecoming's here.

It felt like you just had the first day of school and you wake up two days later and there's homecoming.

Right.

So as far as the officers, you guys are already, you've got your number two pencils bought and everything for the school year then?

Oh yeah.

Yeah,

you're ready to go for sure.

We need to thank our donors.

We put out an Amazon wish list and we had several donations to us.

the kids are ready because a lot of people donated so their pencils are sharpened.

Good to go.

What excites you, Leigh, about the next school year other than FFA?

What are you looking forward

to?

I mean, just getting back to school and like talking to my friends and coming back.

Very good.

There've been some really cool things in the offseason.

You guys had your trap team has done really well.

Has it

well?

Yeah, we actually had one of my friends actually in the June going into their junior year Just one state and it's headed to nationals shot perfect hundred out of a hundred which is you know pretty uncommon So

wow, it's

pretty cool to be a part of that team for sure

and their name

Hudson Houghton.

Well, congratulations.

Yeah, he shoots like seven days a week So he's pretty well prepared.

Are you both on the trap team then?

Yeah,

Lee and will you guys don't shoot a hundred out of a hundred?

Uh, no.

Okay.

I shoot at a hundred.

Well said.

What about you, Peyton?

What excites you about the upcoming school year?

I'm looking forward to senior year and getting to have all those experiences of senior year, going to sporting events and being able to see you at all those games too.

Well, that's a bonus.

Set your sights

higher.

And Sherry, thanks for coming in today.

Thanks for bringing in these kids.

Thank you.

It's a pleasure.

And I like to share all their talents with everyone.

So thank you for being a strong community and blessing us with all of these young leaders.

I can't wait to work with more.

Awesome.

Sounds good.

Sherri Grafinger joining us, River Valley FFA advisor, along with Aliyah Hatfield, Peyton Miley and Will Prem on today's morning show.

you

River Valley School Fair is not too far down the road, and they're getting busy already.

In to talk to us today is Mrs. Sherry Grafunder, FFA advisor at River Valley.

We also have in the studio the president, River Valley FFA, Aliyah Hatfield.

We have the secretary, Peyton Miley, and the treasurer, Will Prem, in studio with us today as well.

Well, good morning, Sherry.

You look rather well rested today.

Good morning, Phil.

Thank you.

I do feel well rested at this point in the year.

You're going to hit the ground running here pretty soon though, aren't you?

We've already hit the ground running.

Um, this is the week we have started to get all our materials prepped for the back to school so that the students can have the fair book and all the reminders in their hand.

Cause we're just around a month before the river valley school fear will be happening.

So one month until homecoming week hits us.

How many broad stands have you done this summer?

We have only done one in May up at Aiders and we did not do any for the school fair this year so we took this year off to recoup and wait for volunteers come out to help.

Hit the ground running though with a lot of things but really you never stop during the FFA year do you?

No we have something planned well more than one thing planned each month and the students do a great job of turning out

nice products so like currently we had some students showing up the Wisconsin State Fair their projects and then we had other students who were hired by the Wisconsin State Fair to clean up the grounds and do things like that so very proud of those students who traveled to West Alice to do things like that.

That's awesome and how did the students do that we're showing?

So very well um this was Austin's last year for us for um Dairy Cattle and then the people in the meat and goat industries didn't take the champion rounds but exhibited well.

Well, good.

Congratulations to them.

And now I guess they're probably showing at the respective county fairs, right?

They've been doing that.

So yes, the Sock County Fair.

We had Austin showing there for us.

And so again, it's his last year.

He did really well with his Brown Swiss.

And then now we're heading into Iowa and Richland County fairs.

And Mackenzie will be at the Iowa County Fair showing under 4-H in that realm.

So can't wait to support her and our other youth that are coming up.

to be an FFA member soon.

And then at Richland County Fair, it's always nice to see all the students participate in there.

And we have a lot of young youth in the Valley that show at Richland County Fair as well.

Do you go and help?

Because I know you and Mr. Glassburner have helped out in the past.

Yes, we are doing Iowa County together, the Dairy Show.

And then Richland County, Mr. Glassburner will be doing that one by himself.

Okay.

Helping to open the gates or whatever needs to happen then.

Yes.

He loves working the swine show there.

And then the dairy show is always fun because we get to talk with the exhibitors as they're working.

And then I like helping them when the judge isn't looking.

I like to give a few tips.

Sure.

Anyway, you can.

So you're, you're kind of here today to kind of promote the fact that you need to start getting the entries in line and get ready then, right?

Yes, our fair book this year will be posted out through the River Valley FFA Facebook page along with the district's Facebook page instead of traditionally being on our school districts page this year just so that parents are aware that we're going through social media.

Students that are in the district in the lower levels will get an actual printed fair book this year so that they can take that home.

Exhibits, our entries are due on Wednesday, September 16th by 3.30 to the high school or the respective schools.

After that, we take time, meaning the fair secretaries will get things organized and get the animal counts off of those sheets so that we're ready for Monday when we set up the pavilion.

Tim Johnson just emailed this morning and said they'll start that at 4.30 on Monday, the 21st.

And art and photography are due that day as well.

We just like to be able to have the ability to hang artwork up as we're getting the gym ready.

Tuesday evening will be entry tag, writing night in the egg room of the junior high high school.

And then Wednesday we transform that intermediate school gym into our

Fair entry for all the different arts crafts, woodworking, leather craft, vegetables, crops, all those students can bring that in Thursday starting at 715-5pm and

We close at five for judging.

Judging is a closed session.

Most of the people are heading off to the volleyball game at that time, so we don't have a lot of interruption.

And then Friday is our big event, and we start that with the weigh-ins.

We're going to start weigh-ins earlier this year because we need it.

swine measure or weighed in by 730 so that we can start the swine show at eight o'clock this year.

We decided that it's easier to move the swine early in the morning.

They might not have their coffee yet so it's sometimes easier to get them to go with the flow and then we'll transfer into showing beef goats and then finally end on dairy.

So

People who are interested in coming to the auction, we're going to get your bidder numbers from 10 30 to 11 30.

We close that at 11 30.

So the fair secretaries and the clerking crew have enough time to get their paperwork in order for the auction to start at noon.

He had so many animals last year.

And I'm guessing you're thinking you're going to have that many or more this year than it sounds like.

Yes, we increased in hogs again this year.

We had 48 identified.

So 48 exhibitors there.

And then we have seven beef identified this year.

And goats and dairy cattle don't have to pre identify and breeding classes of market beef do not have to identify until the 16th.

So our numbers are increasing in the animal area again.

Yes.

And again, the date of the fair is

Friday, September 25th.

So next year it'll be the first week in October, but this year it is the last Friday in September, Friday, September 25th.

And a lot of it goes along with where you can get a home football game for when your homecoming game falls.

Years ago we asked that it be either be the last Friday in September or the first Friday in October after we had the third

Friday in September.

So we went from Iowa, Richland in a school fair.

Boy, that homecoming happened fast.

And so it's just easier on everyone if we can try to get one of those two weeks, the last Fridays in September or the first Friday in October.

Every year we talk about how strong your officer's crew is and they had to say goodbye to a few of those this past spring, didn't

you?

Oh, quite a few.

Payton and Aliyah are the only returnees, so yes, we had a very successful officer team last year and they were ready to move on by February.

Definitely, they all had their future plans in place, so it's great to see that they have completed their scholarship forms and sent them in to Will so that we know that they're

advancing on their next plans.

And not only officers, we had a huge group of FFA members move out as well.

We're out busy recruiting that eighth grade level already to build our program back up as far as getting members in.

We have a huge freshman class of 22 coming in, so that'll help balance our high school numbers.

But again, we want to make sure that we're getting down to the eighth grade level and get that recruitment going.

Indeed, and kind of keep them going.

And some of these, they've been in FFA since their middle school years then, right?

Yes.

All of them have been in here.

I had to look around the room quick because after a while they blend together, we'll say, or I call them by their parents' name.

So yes, we've had all of them since eighth grade be actively involved.

As you see over the years, Peyton has talked about being in egg sales.

Will also does that.

So you just try to find the kids.

exact science that they have and master that a little bit or you find a skill that they didn't realize they had a passion for like Paige didn't know she loved floral.

culture area and she now competes very successfully in Florida culture and so she's found some friends who love that same artistic flair so we can build various programs based off of students and their interests and then Aliyah has a huge horse following situation so we will let her talk more about her SAE and that but she worked really well with the eighth graders last year.

So it is great to see the kids growing the program because that's what it is about, is getting people in the door and showing them all the options that we have available for them.

Well, we'll talk to the press.

Good morning, Aliyah.

How are you?

Good.

Good to have you in here.

So tell us a little bit about your horse

projects.

I currently have three horses.

One is a younger one, so we're

still trying to figure some things out.

Um, this past weekend I did state NBHA.

So it's the national barrel horse association went there, ran at state.

My horse competed pretty good.

So just the fact of building on what he knows and trying to push him to his best potential.

That's got to be tough because you could have the best day ever, but it also depends on the animal too, doesn't it?

Totally.

You never know what's going to happen.

So you always kind of got to be cautious of what can and just hope that never happens.

where was state located

at?

It was in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

So you have to do a lot of trailering and road time too, don't

you?

Yes.

My dad sure loves pulling the trailer to places.

So you are a junior or you will be a junior this year then.

Yes, I will be.

So you rose to the presidency.

Did you have to campaign for that or how does that

work?

Our officer applications kind of they missed you will send out an application.

You fill it out and then you'll have an interview with.

the interviewing committee.

So basically you do that process and they'll come to a verdict at the end.

So you didn't, you don't really have to campaign.

Everybody has a fair shot.

So

you plan on being president for a couple of years then?

That's the goal.

We'll see where it takes me

though.

Okay.

And responsibilities as, as president, it's quite a load then for you.

It is, but I feel like I do a good job of making it work.

checking in to see how everybody's doing, how their committees are going.

So as long as I stay on top of it, smooth sailing pretty much.

Wonderful.

And so what are you in charge of in terms of the River Valley school fair this year?

For the school fair, I am co-chairing the food stand with Will and I'm also chairing the flow and I'm going to chair the 50-50 raffle at the homecoming football game.

That's a lot to do.

That'll be a busy day for you, won't

it?

It will be.

Sure.

And then in terms of FFA, what are some projects that you're involved

in?

Currently, this summer, we did the back to school drive.

We partnered with the Chamber of Commerce.

So we set out these barrels in different locals, like all the banks, all the libraries at the schools.

So people could come in, drop off school supplies for maybe some students that are in need of some, and they couldn't get their hands on some.

So it really just brought the community up to the challenge and helped donate some to people in need.

Great.

And you're involved in SAE program, as you mentioned.

Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

So in SAE is a supervised agriculture experience.

I obviously work with horses, so that's one.

It's equine entrepreneurship.

And I also do one called agricultural education, where I will go during the school year to the younger students' classrooms.

So like elementary school, maybe some intermediate, and I'll basically talk to them or like create lessons.

kind of like I'm a mini ag teacher so I'll go there and then I'll make a little lesson and then I'll do it with them and kind of teach them what agriculture is.

It isn't hard to get youngsters fired up about horses I don't think is it?

It's not very hard they usually really like the animal part of it but we're also trying to incorporate like the leadership part of it and there's so much more to agriculture than just farming.

And do you go out and help to recruit FFA members?

I certainly do.

Last year I helped recruit most of the middle schoolers, but it also helps because I have two younger siblings.