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The Big Valley FFA officer group of Lily Breon (from left), Abbie Fitzgerald, Sean Gutshall and Lillian Seaholtz spoke on the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s Operating Committee assembly on Thursday.
LEWISTOWN — From a rabies clinic and trunk-or-treat evening to meals drive and gift-giving to the needy, members of the Big Valley FFA chapter have a really hectic but rewarding college year ahead of them.
The Big Valley FFA officer group talked to the Operating Committee of the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown about these upcoming occasions throughout their month-to-month assembly on Thursday evening.
Big Valley FFA President Lily Breon spoke about occasions on the horizon, together with the rabies clinic on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; trunk or deal with on Monday, Oct. 27, from 6 to eight p.m.; and different FFA occasions and appearances, such because the Festival of Ice in downtown Lewistown, studying to college students at Lewistown Elementary School and their Greenhand Degree celebration evening for brand spanking new members.
Vice President Abbie Fitzgerald talked concerning the chapter’s upcoming group service occasions on their schedule. FFA members shall be conducting a meals drive for Thanksgiving meals for these in want and shopping for necessities and items for Christmas for 2 kids with Mifflin County Children and Services.
Treasurer Sean Gutshall spoke concerning the chapter, upcoming fundraisers and the way they profit members. He highlighted the $5,000 grant the chapter obtained in August from the National FFA Organization, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. Part of the grant cash was used to fund registrations for eight new FFA members to the Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference in Altoona,, which was held on Oct. 7. Additionally, the chapter will begin their annual fruit sale on Wednesday.
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The Big Valley FFA officer group of Abbie Fitzgerald (from left), Lily Breon, Lillian Seaholtz and Sean Gutshall communicate to members of the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s Operating Committee on Thursday.
Secretary Lillian Seaholtz wrapped up the presentation by highlighting that the chapter’s membership is rising and that they’re anticipating greater than 220 folks at their annual banquet in May 2026.
In 2025, the chapter welcomed 194 folks in attendance at its annual banquet. “We’re expecting quite a few more,” stated Big Valley FFA advisor Nicolette Cusate, who teaches agricultural sciences on the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.
Fall Leadership Conference
The Big Valley FFA chapter attended the 2025 Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference, held on Oct. 7 on the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona.
Cusate stated the Fall Leadership Conference is designed for first-year FFA members to construct foundational management and private progress expertise by way of partaking workshops and peer connection. Students participated in a wide range of hands-on classes, facilitated by the Pennsylvania FFA State Officers, National Officer Candidate Rebecca Lehman and future agricultural educators from Penn State.
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A show highlights a few of the Big Valley FFA chapter’s occasions for the upcoming year.
Workshop matters included “Supervised Agricultural Experiences” (SAE), FFA data and alternatives, private aim setting and self-discovery.
Students who attended the convention included Nyah Shirk, Elysia Glick, Braylin Walters, Ava Neff, Chloe Fisher, Elle Halfpenny, Torri Maclay and Noël Haines, all sophomores within the Agricultural Sciences program on the Mifflin County Academy.
Shirk felt very lucky to attend the convention, which had a terrific impression on her journey with FFA. “FLC was honestly such a great experience, I met so many new people and so many people that have the same dreams and goals as me,” she defined. “Seeing how different children and the officers supported and uplifted different folks actually made me excited to be part of FFA as a result of it’s like one huge welcoming household.
“I learned many different things that I’ll need to earn my Greenhand Degree, more in depth things about my supervised agricultural experience, and how to grow myself within FFA and in life in general. I also set good goals for the future,” Shirk added. “FLC honestly made me more excited and ready to start my FFA career.”
The Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference offers an early alternative for college kids to expertise the FFA mission in motion — cultivating premier management, private progress, and profession success by way of agricultural schooling.