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Oklahoma FFA Chapter competes at National ConventionOklahoma On Oct. 21 thousands of blue jackets will descend on Indianapolis, Ind., for the 82nd National FFA Convention. Oklahoma will be standing out this year. Twenty-seven FFA members from across the state of Oklahoma have been chosen as national finalists in their proficiency areas. This is the most finalists of any state in the nation. Wisconsin comes in second with twenty. A very small chapter in Oklahoma is making big waves in the proficiency area. Mulhall-Orlando is a combined school district with about 240 students in their pre-K through twelfth grades. The Mulhall-Orlando FFA chapter consists of 34 high school students. Of those 34 members, three are national finalists in their proficiency areas. Jacob Beck, Mikka Harman and Kassandra Pfeiffer have all been named National Proficiency Finalists. When students enter an agricultural education class in the 8th grade, they choose a Supervised Agricultural Experience or SAE. This is a project they will work on every year along with their classroom work. This teaches agricultural students to apply things they are taught in the classroom to real working conditions. SAE projects are chosen by the student according to their personal interests. Students have the opportunity each year to apply for a proficiency award in the area of their SAE. Jacob Beck is the son of Ray and Talleri Beck of Mulhall. He is the winner of the Oklahoma FFA Proficiency and a national finalist in Agricultural Mechanics Repair & Maintenance--Placement. Beck is employed by Beck's Farm Equipment of Guthrie, a family owned business. Beck began work on his Supervised Agricultural Experience by doing routine maintenance on lawn equipment; changing oil, filters, blades and belts. He has progressed over the years to servicing round and square balers; replacing belts, sprockets, chains and tying equipment. He has also installed cab monitors for balers, and repaired many other kinds of farm equipment. Beck rebuilds used machinery by replacing worn parts, painting and preparing them for resale. Beck's duties at the equipment company also include customer service. He discusses repairs with equipment owners and advises them on preventative maintenance practices. Proper use and care of equipment are an important aspect of his job since Beck daily operates a welder, cutting torch, grinder, hoists, air tools and tractor front-end loaders. Beck also works in the parts department and assists in keeping the company's parts inventory up to date in their computer system. He must also be able to use the computer to access and understand technical manuals in order to make proper repairs on equipment. After graduation, Beck plans to attend college and pursue a major in agricultural business. He plans to continue working in the family business during college and return there after receiving his degree. Beck currently serves as the sentinel for the Mulhall-Orlando FFA chapter. He is very involved in scouting and recently received the Eagle Scout Award. He is a member of the Mulhall-Orlando track team and academic team. Beck was also a delegate to Boys State this past summer. Mikka Harman is the winner of the Oklahoma FFA Proficiency in Small Animal Production and Care. She is a finalist for the National Proficiency in this area. Harman is the daughter of Chris and Randus Harman of Mulhall. She raises, breeds and sells registered Shih Tzu dogs. Six years ago, after much research, Harman purchased two registered females and one registered male Shih Tzu. Since that time she has sold over 34 puppies in four different states. Harman's operation currently includes 5 registered female dogs and 2 registered males. She has purchased and maintains a 12- by 14-foot kennel with three 6- by 12-foot outdoor runs. Care of the breeding stock is a full time job. Harman performs daily feeding, watering and cleaning duties as well as some basic veterinary tasks. She gives vaccinations, removes dewclaws and keeps health records on all adults and puppies. When puppies are sold from her kennel, they are delivered with a shot record, a bag of food, and a registration certificate when applicable. Newspaper and Internet ads are the main marketing sources for the sale of the puppies. Harman maintains her own internet site as well at www.idealshihtzu.com. Air shipping has allowed Harman to sell her puppies outside the Oklahoma market. Harman currently serves as the secretary of the Mulhall-Orlando FFA chapter. Along with her FFA activities she is a member of her schools basketball and track teams and a Student Council officer. After graduation, Harman plans to attend college and pursue a degree in the area of health care. She plans to continue raising and selling her dogs throughout college and after she obtains her degree. Kassandra Pfeiffer is the daughter of Jerry and Ada Pfeiffer of Orlando. She is the winner of the Oklahoma FFA Proficiency in Beef Production--Placement. Pfeiffer has been chosen as a finalist for the National Proficiency in this area. Pfeiffer is employed by her family's cattle and farming operation, Pfeiffer Farms. The operation consists of 500 commercial cows for embryo transfer, 100 registered Angus cows, and 800 stocker calves for graze out. Management of 5,000 acres of owned and rented land provides wheat and rye grass, native grass and hay production for the operation. Working within the operation, Pfeiffer has gained knowledge in embryo transfer, mating and genetics and herd health issues. Her daily activities include: farming, breeding, vaccination and feeding of cattle as well as record keeping. Pfeiffer's main focus is setting up recipient cows for embryo transfer. She is involved in every aspect of this breeding process. "It takes a lot of coordination to have the cows set up and ready to take embryos. Heat has to be accurately recorded and I spend many hours monitoring heat. It is not efficient to set up cows that are not ready to take an embryo." Pfeiffer said. Pfeiffer serves as the President of the Oklahoma Junior Angus Program and was the 2008-2009 Oklahoma Angus Queen. She is a director of the Oklahoma Junior Cattleman's Association and serves as the Vice President of her FFA chapter at Mulhall-Orlando. Her other high school activities include: Sr. Class President, basketball and track teams. After graduation, Pfeiffer plans to attend college and continue working with the family operation and her Angus cattle. Mulhall-Orlando Agricultural Education Instructor Allen Miller will be taking these finalists along with a few other chapter members to the National FFA Convention. "We are looking forward to the convention this year. These kids have worked very hard on their projects and I am hopeful that they will do well in the national arena", said Miller. The National Proficiency Awards will be presented at the 82nd National FFA Convention Oct. 23.
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