
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993                   TAG: 9306240209
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

FUTURE FARMERS MEET AT TECH TO TEST THEIR SKILLS

If an electric motor turns at 1,750 rpm and has a six-inch pulley on the shaft, what size pulley should be put on a machine shaft for the machine to turn at 2,100 rpm?

Not sure? Well, just ask one of the high-school students participating in the agricultural mechanics contests at the state convention of the FFA, formerly the Future Farmers of America.

More than 1,000 high- and middle-school students are competing in nearly two dozen contests in Blacksburg this week, testing their judgment, knowledge and skills in agri-science and agriculture.

Perhaps a couple of the middle-school questions would be easier:

When cutting with a saw, the kerf should be (a) on the line? (b) to the good side? (c) to the waste side? or (d) to the short side?

Or, which hand plane is best suited for smoothing short, straight surfaces? (a) block? (b) jack? (c) jointer? or (d) smooth?

In addition to a 25-question test, the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders must identify tools, calculate board feet, judge a concrete float, drill holes, use calipers and measure angles in a timed exercise.

"This is the second year of middle-school participation in FFA," said John Gryder, a high school teacher from Clarksville. "The number of students has increased over last year, and it's refreshing to see these kids develop skills of which they are proud."

There is a middle-school FFA program in Christiansburg, but not in Blacksburg. Mark Salmon, agriculture teacher at Blacksburg High School hopes one can be begun soon.

The national FFA organization was founded in Blacksburg in 1925 as Future Farmers of Virginia, the predecessor of Future Farmers of America, to help boys develop leadership skills. Now, the group includes girls and has expanded to include agri-science, a more science-based field.

Mary Herring of Winchester, an FFA chaperone and alumna, said developing leadership skills is one of the best benefits of the organization.

"Just ask any politician where tomorrow's leaders are coming from, especially in the rural districts, and they'll say FFA," she said.

by CNB