Mr Borck shared the history, growth and practices of this local beef company.

Advith Natarajan, left, from Marlatt Elementary school, was second in the Junior Historical Paper category with “Nikola Tesla: Master of Lightening.” Cole Castor (middle) along with Kael Arasmith and Lynden Auckly (not pictured) from Woodrow Wilson Elementary, placed second in the Junior Group Exhibit for their research on the “Triumph and Tragedy of the Manhattan Project.” Teacher and Gifted Coordinator Terry Healey has been serving as advisors and coordinator for National History Day participation for over 25 years. Well done everyone!

Gary LaGrange spoke to us about the Service member Agriculture Vocation Education (SAVE) program that gets veterans into farming. 63% of farms are in their last generation. With young relatives not wanting to farm, there is a need for others to step in. We will need a million new farmers. This program helps veterans to transition into the healing profession of farming. It provides training and experience for 11 1/2 months so they have the knowledge to do the job. At the end, students receive a certificate in farm management.

SAVE is operating a farm and wants to build it into a “farmiversity” where they can learn together all types of farming and engage in practical research. The two tracts of farmland, near KState, was designed by KState architectural students, and SAVE is in the process of taking bids for the buildings and other features planned. In the meantime the farm is in operation with crops and animals, including cows and chickens. Beekeeping is a major program. There will be housing for up to 75 students and their families when the plan is complete. Much has been accomplished by in kind donations of equipment and animals.

The plan is to spread the program to other land grant universities. The hope is that future Federal farm bills will provide funds for this expansion. Graduates are then placed on farms as interns or farm managers, some participating in a succession plan so that property passes to the veteran at the end of a certain term.

SAVE holds joint training programs with the KSU student farm, including beekeeping. The plan is for veterans a KSU students to continue to cooperate to enhance the student farm.

Mrs. Lisa Julian, Key Club faculty adviser, Tejaswi Shrestha, 2018 Key Club district Secretary, and current Key Club President Elizabeth Hohn attended our celebration of Key Clubs accomplishments this evening and filled us in on the latest club news. Mrs Julian was voted Advisor of the Year at the latest District Convention in March. She received flowers as a token of our thanks for her amazing service.

Tejaswi and Elizabeth told us about the club’s major service project to increase awareness and knowledge of mental health issues and how to deal with peers going through crises. The club held two expert panels for Juniors and Seniors to get their questions answered and are working on a series of informative podcasts on the topic.

Our special guest singer was Noah Wright, one of last year’s scholarship recipients. He sang for us at the beginning of our meeting and after presentations–a beautiful German language piece. Noah is attending university in Canada where he is studying voice and conducting.

We are so proud of all our guests!