Students battles it out on the tractors

NEW agriculture students at Duchy College Rosewarne got competitive this week as they tested their tractor-driving skills in the first ploughing match of the term.

Diploma and apprenticeship students got to drive two of the college's tractors, both fitted with different type ploughs – a New Holland T 5070 and a John Deere 6630.

Each student was assigned a plot and tried their hand at ploughing ready to be judged by lecturer Roger Talling.

Phil Pengelly, course manager, said: "During the course students have to undertake their tractor proficiency test so a ploughing match is a good way for them to improve their driving technique.

"It requires a lot of skill – you have to take your time, make careful alterations to the plough and drive steadily to gain clear furrow definition.

"There were quite a few novices in the group but they all had a go and enjoyed it."

Ian Rowe, from Truro, said: "I like driving tractors so I really enjoyed it and it's good practise. I like the John Deere the best as it's bigger and we don't have one at home."

Winner Nathan Collins, from Newquay, said: "I'm glad I won, I enjoyed it, it's great to get out and drive the tractors."

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Mineral County FFA students bring 'Farm to School' initiative to the area

Tribune photo by Megan Grec)

Students from the Mineral County  Technical Center worked

 with the Master Gardners to create raised beds to grow 

vegetables  that will be used in the school systems 

breakfast and lunch programs.

Keyser, W.Va. —

By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER-The Mineral County Technical Center agriculture team will be teaming up with farmers throughout the community to launch the ‘Farm to School’ initiative.  The nation wide program is meant to create a positive relationship between farmers, communities, and schools.
The ‘Farm to School’ initiative will benefit children by allowing them access to locally grown food that will be introduced into the breakfast and lunch program. By providing locally grown food, quality freshness and nutritional value remain much higher. According to the Office of Child Nutrition, children will eat more fruit and vegetables when they have access to a variety of high quality fresh items.
All eleven Mineral County schools will be involved in this new program beginning in 2012-2013 school year. Locally grown food will benefit everyone involved by promoting the local economy, encouraging students to know where their food comes from instead of consuming large amounts of processed foods, and creating a working relationship for students who plan to enter the agriculture field. Teachers Julie Sions, Carol Webb, Katrina Dolly, Charlie Bennett, John Ritchie,  and Nutrition Director Becky Schneider have been vigorously working to bring this program to the students.
The Culinary Arts ProStart classes will also play a role in the ‘Farm to Food’ program by prepping the food before it is sent to the various schools.
Agriculture teacher Julie Sions explained the significants this project carries for her students’  futures. “The agriculture department has been involved with this local food movement so that we can encourage students to become entrepreneurs themselves and learn the process of growing food. We are also hoping that this will be a good marriage between us and our community.”
Agriculture students will also be involved in raising food to supply to the school system. They will continue to tend to the peppers, cucumbers, herbs, and lettuce currently growing in the hydroponic beds at the tech center.

The kickoff to this program took place at the annual FFA banquet at Keyser High School. The meal featured local foods from local farmers, foods grown by students, and foods grown at the tech center. Tom McConnell, director of the West Virginia Small Farms Center spoke to the audience on the importance of local foods for not only health, but also for sustainability.

McConnell is also playing another major role in the Mineral County “Farm to School” program. Because of the dedication of the agriculture students and teachers, McConnell chose Mineral County to be one of only two schools who received High Tunnels for growing.

Original Article Here