2012 360 & Leadership Conference
On January 28th 2012 FFA members from chapters all over New York State gathered together at the Embassy Suites hotel in Syracuse NY for the 2012 360 and 2012 leadership conference. The young members broke up by age group to go in and begin some unique leadership training. During the multiple sessions the FFA members participated in activities and decusions on how they themselves can improve their leadership and be a good role model. After a day of hard work and training the students headed back to hotel to pump uo the P.J.'s and rock out for the night at the FFA pajama party. At the party they had the chance to meet new people with the same interests and FFA passion, play in the just dance 3 turnament, show off some off their funky dance moves, write letters to the soilders, and get FFA photographs taken. The next morning on Jan. 29th 2012 they got their bags packed after their finally leadership session. And finally, it was time to say good bye to their new made friends, exchage ways to keep in touch, and gave their good bye hugs. And they were off on their way back to their home town. As went as fast as it came but will be a conference to never be forgotten.
wriiten by Anna Catello
ONEIDA COUNTY MAPLE PAGEANT


On January 7th 2012 I had the opportunity to attend the Oneida County Maple Pageant held at the VVS High School during this years Maple Conference. The morning had an early start to it for all of the girls and young men, I was amazed to see the fairly large number of participants this year. The ladies and young men look very well presented in their morning interview wear. I was extremely impressed with the way each contestant handled themselves in their interviews. After the interview portion was completed, I sat in to listen to the contestants in their nice formal attire one by one giving their speeches in the Queen, King, and Prince categories. Everyone did well, I was specifically glad to see everyone’s good eye contact with the audience and judges. Their speeches were well written and each spoken with enthusiasm and served up with a smile. The winners in this category were then crowned by the retiring royalty, then we traveled down to take a lunch break. A Big thank-you to the VVS FFA and booster club for cooking up a nice meal for all of us. Next, was the princess' speeches and crowning, and yet again I was very impressed by their presentations. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2012-2013 Oneida County maple royalty   Good luck maple royalty you are busy schedule of work and events on Promotion and education of maple starts soon!
written by Anna Catello
NYS Maple Princess
V.V.S. FFA MAPLE MARKET
PLASTIC  CONTAINERS
GALLON                                 $45.00
1/2 GALLON                            $27.00
QUART                                    $17.00
PINT                                        $10.00
1/2 PINT                                    $7.00
100 ML(3.4OZ)                          $4.00
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GLASS MAPLE CONTAINERS
LARGE MAPLE (8.4 OZ)         $10.00
MAPLE LEAF (3.4 OZ)             $6.00
LEAF NIP (1.7 OZ)                   $4.00
GLASS CABIN (8.5 OZ)           $7.00
CABIN NIP (1.7 OZ)                 $4.00
STATUE OF LIBERTY (12.75 OZ) $22.00
MAPLE CREAM 1 POUND JAR $15.00
MAPLE CANDY SUGAR PRICES
2 MAPLE LEAF PIECES                $1.00
4 MAPLE LEAF PIECES                $2.00
9 MAPLE LEAF PIECES                $4.00
MAPLE GRANULATED SUGAR
2 OZ JAR                                   $5.00
4 OZ JAR                                   $7.00
10 OZ JAR                                 $11.00
20 OZ JAR                                 $17.00
MAPLE COFFEE
SMALL BAG (2.5 OZ)                    $3.00
LARGE BAG                               $10.00
MAPLE TEA
25PK BOX                                  $10.00
13 PK BOX                                   $7.00
5 PACKS FOR $2.00 OR 50 CENTS EACH
HOT MAPLE MUSTARD (17.5 OZ)  $9.75
SWEET MAPLE MUSTARD  (17.5OZ)  $9.75
SWEET MAPLE BARBECUE (15 OZ)$9.75
FOR ORDERS OR MORE INFORMATION CALL VVS SCHOOL (315) 829-2520 ASK FOR THE AG SHOP
Stoltzfus Dairy Farm Tour of yogurt an cheese process January 27th 2012
Stolzfus Dairy farms held a open house  Friday and Saturday at their beautiful farm in Vernon Center  and  held tours of their cheese and yogurt plant..The Stolzfus Family  works hard at making sure that all of their products are second to none! They take pride in everything they do and glad to know them. Anna Catello the NYS Maple Princess, and Tess Leglar the Oneida County Maple Princess also attended the event handing out samples and greeting folks. Photo is of the the girls holding a cup of maple yogurt. The  Maple used was  from upstate NY.

The NYS Agricultural Society awarded the 2012 FFA Chapter of the Year Award to the VVS FFA Chapter at its 180th Annual Agricultural Forum on Jan. 5th in Syracuse.
The NYS Grange sponsors this award,inviting chapter officers to attend the Society's Forum and presented the "Golden Tractor" rotating trophy. The VVS FFA chapter is no stranger to agricultural accomplishment. Consistantly a top ranking program in NYS, VVS FFA has earned the title of  Ag Society's Chapter of the Year 2012 . To earn this title, members excelled in the areas of student development,chapter development and community development. Projects like VVS's partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension on their Willow BioMass experiment,their development of a community day and their well-known Mobile Maple Museum establish opportunities for students to learn responsibility and planning in addition to developing quality communication ,critical thinking and career skills. In May ,VVS FFA members will host the New York State FFA Convention-- no small task for a group of students and adult volunteers. Within the three days,VVS' facility and network of partners will help 1,000 students experience success in nearly 30 competitions; showcase local agribusinesses and bring in a variety of experts to share agricultural messages with teens from throughout New York State.There is no question that the ambitious students of VVS deserve success within the FFA as they are hard working year-round to make sure they are living the FFA motto: Learning to do.Doing to learn. Earning to live.Living to serve!  Congratulations VVS FFA ! 
VVS FFA MOBILE MAPLE EXHIBIT TO NYC
On September 16,17,18, 2011 I was given the opportunity to travel down to NYC with the VVS FFA Mobile Maple Exhibit. As the the New York State Maple Princess,  I was able to travel with them to Brooklyn, Queens, and to Govenors Island. While there I met hundreds of people and knowledge hungry children; Also among them i was able to meet their District Assembly Woman. I spent my time in the city giving various presentations ,making special appearances, teaching, and giving tours of the maple trailor. Lastly,  I made my way to their County Fair  titled " Smile on Maspeth " . There I gave out dozens of stickers to the kids, and had hundreds of people tasting and buying our NYS Maple products. Not to mention all the pictures i was asked to pose for with people! It was a truly great experience!  I was so excited to see such a great interest in maple the people from NYC had!  Thank you!  Anna Catello NYS  Maple Princess  9-20-2011
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Jackwax Recipe
Would you like to taste the sweet sensation of maple candy without going to the store?You can by making my favorite maple product ...Jackwax!  Maple season is here an now is the time to by the fresh made maple from your local producer an make this special candy at home.  In no time you can have sweet sticky maple candy at your finger tips.  First you heat up you stove top,then place a pot on the stove with about 1 to 2 cups of real maple syrup in it. Let it come to a boil while stirring it constantly.  As soon as it comes to a thicker consistancy and bubbles,  poor it slowly over a pan of ice or snow. Then let it cool and harden. Now you have yourself a delectable sweet maple candy treat to eat.  Enjoy!  Anna Catello -NYS State Maple Princess  1-5-12