LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Vernon Verona Sherrill Senior High
School FFA Chapter upon the occasion of its designation by the New York
State Agricultural Society as the New York State FFA Chapter of the Year
on January 6, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend young people who, by achieving success in an educational compe-
tition, inspire and bring pride to themselves, their school, their
community, and the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Such educational competitions and student organizations with-
in our schools help prepare our youth for their futures and are worthy
of praise and support; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
FFA Chapter of Vernon Verona Sherrill Senior High School (VVS FFA),
Verona, New York, upon the occasion of its designation by the New York
State Agricultural Society as the New York State FFA Chapter of the Year
at the society's 179th Annual Agricultural Forum, held in Syracuse on
January 6, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Agricultural Society was organized in 1832
to foster, promote, and improve New York State's food and agriculture
industry; the society's mission is to improve the condition of agricul-
ture through education, leadership development and recognition programs,
such as the Chapter of the Year Award, which is proudly sponsored each
year by the New York State Grange; and
WHEREAS, The VVS FFA chapter is student-led; its members are part of a
total VVS High School agricultural education program which opens a world
of opportunities to its students, connects them to careers in the
science, business, and technology of agriculture, and provides them with
leadership, academic, and career experiences essential for success; and
WHEREAS, While every agriculture education program in New York focuses
on local agriculture, each is unique; VVS FFA's work with maple syrup
production has garnered attention not only on the State level, but on
the regional and national levels as well; and
WHEREAS, FFA members at VVS are involved in every aspect of the
production, marketing and support of the maple syrup industry in New
York State; they tap trees, run lines, harvest the sap in buckets, and
boil the sap into syrup; and
WHEREAS, They then bottle and sell the syrup in a student managed and
operated store and, in addition, work with their teacher each year to
host multiple maple-related events; and
WHEREAS, From running evaporators to assuring product quality, from
hosting conferences for field experts to managing $80,000 in earnings,
VVS FFA members gain experience and learn real-world life skills; and
WHEREAS, In addition to its maple syrup industry endeavors VVS FFA
undertook a special Willow Project; partnering with the Cornell Univer-
sity Horticulture Program and Cooperative Extension to plant a renewable
crop of willow and manage the three-acre demonstration plot to study its
connections to bioenergy; and
WHEREAS, VVS FFA prides itself on being an integral part of a member's
education; its members also participate in many other school, community
and other activities and have helped make FFA a popular and powerful
tradition in their Oneida County community; and
WHEREAS, In earning recognition as New York State Chapter of the Year,
VVS FFA, ably taught and advised by Keith Schiebel and assistant advisor
Mark Peavey, proudly continues the chapter's history and tradition of
dedication and accomplishment; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, the
members of VVS FFA stand honorably, with just pride in their achievement
and in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appre-
ciating the caring counsel and support provided by their teachers, advi-
sors and parents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Vernon Verona Sherrill Senior High School FFA Chapter
and its members upon the occasion of the chapter's designation by the
New York State Agricultural Society as the New York State FFA Chapter of
the Year on January 6, 2011, and to offer them best wishes for a future
of purposeful success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Vernon Verona Sherrill Senior High School FFA Chapter.