The Big Valley FFA officer team talked to the Operating Committee of the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology in Lewistown about these upcoming events during their monthly meeting on Thursday night.

Big Valley FFA President Lily Breon spoke about events on the horizon, including the rabies clinic on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; trunk or treat on Monday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.; and other FFA events and appearances, such as the Festival of Ice in downtown Lewistown, reading to students at Lewistown Elementary School and their Greenhand Degree celebration night for new members.

Vice President Abbie Fitzgerald talked about the chapter’s upcoming community service events on their schedule. FFA members will be conducting a food drive for Thanksgiving meals for those in need and buying essentials and gifts for Christmas for two children with Mifflin County Children and Services.

Treasurer Sean Gutshall spoke about the chapter, upcoming fundraisers and how they benefit members. He highlighted the $5,000 grant the chapter received in August from the National FFA Organization, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co. Part of the grant money was used to fund registrations for eight new FFA members to the Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference in Altoona,, which was held on Oct. 7. Additionally, the chapter will start their annual fruit sale on Wednesday.

Submitted photo The Big Valley FFA officer team of Abbie Fitzgerald (from left), Lily Breon, Lillian Seaholtz and Sean Gutshall speak to members of the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s Operating Committee on Thursday.

Secretary Lillian Seaholtz wrapped up the presentation by highlighting that the chapter’s membership is growing and that they are expecting more than 220 people at their annual banquet in May 2026.

In 2025, the chapter welcomed 194 people in attendance at its annual banquet. “We’re expecting quite a few more,” said Big Valley FFA advisor Nicolette Cusate, who teaches agricultural sciences at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.

Fall Leadership Conference

The Big Valley FFA chapter attended the 2025 Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference, held on Oct. 7 at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona.

Cusate said the Fall Leadership Conference is designed for first-year FFA members to build foundational leadership and personal growth skills through engaging workshops and peer connection. Students participated in a variety of hands-on sessions, facilitated by the Pennsylvania FFA State Officers, National Officer Candidate Rebecca Lehman and future agricultural educators from Penn State.

Submitted photo A display highlights some of the Big Valley FFA chapter’s events for the upcoming year.

Workshop topics included “Supervised Agricultural Experiences” (SAE), FFA knowledge and opportunities, personal goal setting and self-discovery.

Students who attended the conference included Nyah Shirk, Elysia Glick, Braylin Walters, Ava Neff, Chloe Fisher, Elle Halfpenny, Torri Maclay and Noël Haines, all sophomores in the Agricultural Sciences program at the Mifflin County Academy.

Shirk felt very fortunate to attend the conference, which had a great impact on her journey with FFA. “FLC was honestly such a great experience, I met so many new people and so many people that have the same dreams and goals as me,” she explained. “Seeing how other kids and the officers supported and uplifted other people really made me excited to be a part of FFA because it is like one big welcoming family.

“I learned many different things that I’ll need to earn my Greenhand Degree, more in depth things about my supervised agricultural experience, and how to grow myself within FFA and in life in general. I also set good goals for the future,” Shirk added. “FLC honestly made me more excited and ready to start my FFA career.”

The Pennsylvania FFA Fall Leadership Conference provides an early opportunity for students to experience the FFA mission in action — cultivating premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.