In an article in the Argus Leader it talks about a wind farm that is going to be built just east of Groton by 2010.  This will have an impact on many things in our community and area, including agriculture, economy, and jobs.  Read the article and the comments to the article and make your own comment on my blog.

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090910/NEWS/909100335/1001/news

I recently read an article in TIME magazine that discussed the safety issues with our food in America.  I have my own opinions about the article but I would like you to read it and let me know what you think, what is your opinion about what the author had to say.  Click the following link to go to the article and post a comment about it on the blog.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1917458-1,00.html

The Ag II class recently finished up their unit on habits and ecosystems with a field trip to Pigor’s Lake to help spruce up the environment.  These students were furnished trash bags and gloves by the Game, Fish, and Parks Department and sent out to clean up the lake.  The students were surprised by some of the stuff they found.  They picked up an old door and the frame off an old television set.  They picked up enough trash to fill the bed of Mr. Sweeter’s pickup.  The students did a great job and had fun doing the work.  They learned an important lesson about caring for our environment.  A few of the students fish or hunt right around there and I think it surprised them to see how much stuff was actually out there.  Hopefully they will have the leadership and initiative to keep working to preserve our natural resources.

Wow, big happenings here in the Freshmen ag class.  We’ve just finished up the FFA creed and there are a number of students that want to compete for the top 2 spots at our district.  The kids did an excellent job learning the creed and are now fine tuning their actions.  I’m excited to see how they do.  But even more important than learning the creed, I could feel the passion in their voice as they spoke the words about agriculture.

Last weekend was the South Dakota State Fair.  I love attending this fair, not that I’m a big fair goer anyways, but I like going to fairs in South Dakota.  It seems like SD people don’t forget where they are from or who they are.  They know that agriculture is a big part of their lives and drives our economy and it is noticeable when you attend the state fair.  It is also a great time to see friends as well as meet new ones.  This year at the fair as I was helping with some early morning FFA livestock shows, one of the state officers sees me and shouts, “Mr. Franken, isn’t it the best day ever?”  It took me off guard right away until I replied, “Yes it is.”  As I think more about this, wouldn’t it be great to always have this positive outlook on life.  Wouldn’t we be a much happier society and funner place to live?  So I am challenging myself to see life this way. 

I found an interesting article on soil.  When farmers use up their topsoil it can take years to replenish it, could it be a possibility to get that soil from Mars?  It seems a little far-fetched, but read the following article and comment on what you think.

Mars Soil Resembles Veggie-Garden Dirt, Lander Finds

Soil near the north pole of Mars is surprisingly Earthlike, with a pH not unlike many vegetable gardens, according to preliminary results from the Phoenix Mars Lander.

“You might be able to grow asparagus in it, but strawberries, probably not very well,” said Samuel Kounaves, a chemistry professor at Tufts University, during a NASA press conference this afternoon.

Previous data from the two rovers exploring Mars’s equatorial zones had suggested that the geochemistry on the red planet might have been too acidic to support most forms of Earth-type life.

But as little as an inch (2.5 centimeters) beneath the surface, dirt from Mars’s arctic plains proved to be very similar to alkaline soils on Earth, with a pH between 8 and 9. The pH scale goes from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).

The finding is good news in the hunt for signs that Mars was or could now be habitable.

“This means there is a broader range of organisms that can grow [in it],” said Kounaves, who works with the lander’s Microscopy, Electrochemistry, and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA).

“But Mars is a huge place, whose soils might differ radically from spot to spot,” Kounaves said. “We have to remember that we’re looking at tiny areas.”

This weekend I presented an opportunity to the FFA members to go a Twins game where the FFA was recognized. It was a great trip. I had three kids take advantage and go. I’m not sure if they were more excited because we went to the Mall of America or for the game. The Twins did win the ball game but the students were not circled – although they did make a great sign. Can’t wait to go again next year.

Just got back from the Region III NAAE conference in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It was a great conference with ag teachers from around our region and it made me think, which is always a little scary. Why don’t more people take advantage of professional growth opportunities? In whatever career field you are in, shouldn’t you want to always try to get better. It is when we reach that level of complacency that our performance really starts to suffer. It was encouraging to see young teachers at this conference. While I consider myself a young teacher, only teaching 4 years, South Dakota had two first year teachers in attendance. These teachers took advantage of the opportunity to network with other ag teachers. We are excited to go to next year’s conference in Valentine, Nebraska!

This is my first blog post in a while. I am trying to learn how to blog and what to blog about. I will most likely talk about agriculture, FFA, and education and probably a little about sports and church. Thanks for reading!
Adam Franken

The South Dakota State Fair just got over and what a time it was.  I always enjoy going to the Fair, even when it was going through it’s “tough” years.  It seemed like attendance was up this year and the weather was pretty good for anyone who just wanted to come walk around.  But what I really love about the Fair are the fellow South Dakotans that you get to meet and talk with for that time.  In my opinion, there are no better people anywhere than in South Dakota. 

 The State Fair was a busy one this year.  I had a few of my FFA students showing some of their prize livestock down in Huron.  It seemed like their was always a show going on for them, especially if they were showing more than one species.  I was lucky enough to be able to help with the FFA shows at the fair, and it is absolutely amazing to see the skills that kids can learn through showing livestock. 

First patience!  As I watched Caitlin Howard bring her pig into the ring for the championship drive in the FFA show, I knew she was going to have trouble.  The pig was hot and wanted out of the show ring, and it knew where the exit was.  The whole time she was out there, Caitlin’s pig was in the corner trying to go back home.  But even though she was frustrated, she still kept her cool and did the best she could to “show” the pig. 

The greatest thing that I see that the students learn at the State Fair is networking, or making friends as they call it.  I see my students hanging out and having a good time with other kids from the other side of the state.  I know from experience that these friendships will be the strongest ones that they make.  In the future, as they attend college or start a career, they will still have these connections and friendships. 

I didn’t have my camera along at the State Fair, but I’ll try to attach some pictures of my FFA kids showing at the Brown County Fair.  Hopefully it works, I’ve never done it before.