Riffel feted for state 4-H meat goal project

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 June 2012 08:50

Karl Riffel, a nine-year member of the Tampa Triple Ts 4-H Club in Marion County, was honored for his work in the Kansas 4-H Meat Goat Project at the Emerald Circle Banquet May 31 in Manhattan. As part of being named the state winner, he will represent Kansas at the National 4-H Congress in November in Atlanta, Ga. The award was presented by Kansas 4-H Foundation board member Jim Bassett of Topeka and Barbara Stone, Kansas State 4-H leader. Karl is the son of James and Beth Riffel and will be a junior at Centre High School.

Marion FFA rates well at state conf.

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 June 2012 08:49

Members of the Marion-Florence FFA Chapter attended the 84th annual State FFA Convention May 30 to June 1 in Manhattan.

More than 1,500 FFA members and guests from around the state attended. Participants listened to the retiring addresses of the state FFA officers, heard from Ken Quick, national FFA vice president, and listened to several motivational speakers.

Delegates from FFA chapters in the state participated in business sessions and selected state officers for the upcoming year.

FFA members from Marion participated in a leadership workshop and attended all six sessions of the convention.

The Marion-Florence FFA chapter was recognized for placing in the silver division—top 20 percent of all chapters—in the award areas of...

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Defining ‘family farm’ requires careful thought

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 05 June 2012 08:49

People outside of agriculture routinely try to define the family farm. These same folks have a tendency to question corporate farming whether family owned or not. Farm organizations often fall under the same scrutiny.

Let’s take a look at the family farm. In Kansas, farm and ranch families grow up with the feel of the prairie earth beneath their feet, the wide-open sky overhead and the rhythm of the seasons in their blood.

Throughout their lifetime, these farms and ranches remain their pride and joy. They love, care and respect the land entrusted to them. Ag producers adhere to an ethic that enlarges the boundaries of our community to include soils, waters, plants and animals—collectively—the land.

This entity known as the...

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Area students achieve college degrees and honors

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 05 June 2012 08:45

Several more students from the Free Press distribution area have completed degrees or been recognized for their academic work in colleges and universities around the state in recent weeks.

• Two of the 98 students who received degrees May 20 from Bethany College in Lindsborg came from this area.

Andrew John Westbrook from Canton received a degree in athletic training, biology; Suzanne Amelia Lindsay from Hillsboro graduated with a degree in studio art: drawing.

• Area students named to Fort Hays State University’s spring 2012 Dean’s Honor Roll included: Candace Green, a senior majoring in education, and Tobey Green, a senior majoring in education, from Burns; Kara Paramore, a freshman majoring in art (graphic design) from...

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