K-M graduate returns to school as ag teacher, FFA advisor

Mollie Allen, in her first year as Kasson-Mantorville agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, is no stranger to the K-M school. “I was born and raised in Kasson and am a 2020 graduate of K-M High School,” Allen said. “In my time at K-M I was an active FFA member serving in various officer positions, competed in general livestock judging, and Farm Bureau Discussion Meet. I received my State Degree and finished my FFA career at the National level earning my American Degree.
“After graduating from K-M I continued my education at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where I studied Agriculture Education with a minor in Animal Science. I recently received my degree from UWRF, where I had a variety of roles in Block and Bridle, the UWRF Livestock Judging Team, Ag Ed Society, and Alpha Tau Alpha. In my free time, you can find me helping with my family’s beef cattle operation, where we raise registered Simmental cow/calf pairs and feedlot steers.
I am very excited to be back in Kasson and am looking forward to working with the community as well! This school year has been full of new opportunities for our chapter! Looking forward to many more experiences at KM!”
The K-M FFA Chapter currently has approximately 50 members, spanning grades 8 through 12, and including college students who can participate until the age of 21, Allen said.
Throughout the year, the students have actively engaged in various contests, including dairy judging, general livestock judging, poultry evaluation, dairy foods, food science, meats judging, fish and wildlife, and Fall Leadership Day.
Looking ahead, members are preparing for upcoming events in floriculture and agricultural mechanics.
The chapter currently has a team of eight officers: President: Ambra A, Vice President Wyatt S, Secretary Ella A, Treasurer Bode F, Reporter Schuyler S, Historian Kari S, Officer at Large Charlie H, Sentinel Diego E.
“We are excited to announce that K-M has the opportunity to have representation on the Region 8 officer team. K-M’s own Ella has been elected as the secretary, while Ambra will serve as the assistant officer. This is an incredible opportunity for our students, opening up new avenues for involvement and leadership,” Allen said.
“It’s been quite some time since K-M has had a region officer, and having two representatives is especially noteworthy! Unfortunately, we could not find a record of the last time K-M had a region officer,” she said.
“Recently, we had five members interview for their state degree: Ambra, Ella, Diego, Bode, and Diego. This is the highest award a member can achieve at the state level through FFA.”
Among the requirements for this prestigious award are:
Holding a chapter degree
Being an active member for at least two years
Participating in 10 different FFA activities at the chapter level
Engaging in 25 community service activities
Completing a Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE)
“I was the last member to receive a state degree from K-M, which occurred in 2020’” Allen said. “There are very few members from our chapter who have achieved their state degrees. As a new teacher, this has been a major accomplishment for me to have five students apply for this honor!”
Recently, four members completed a proficiency form that enables them to showcase their individual Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The members and their respective projects are:
Schuyler Sullivan: Beef Entrepreneurship
Ambra Andrist: Diversified Horticulture Placement
Kari Sexton: Beef Placement
Ella Aarsvold: Diversified Livestock Entrepreneurship
This proficiency allows each member to detail their project activities, maintain financial records, and reflect on the time invested and skills acquired throughout their experiences.
FFA Week Activities:
The chapter had a variety of activities scheduled for FFA Week, including: We have an exciting lineup of activities planned for FFA Week:
Tuesday: Alumni Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Teacher Appreciation Day
Thursday: Duck, Duck, Scrabble Game
Friday: Root Beer Floats for all staff members!
 
To follow the K-M FFA Chapter check out their Facebook Page.