Involvement in FFA Lights Career Path For Pifer

CAROLYN N. MOYER
Northern Pa. Correspondent

LERAYSVILLE, Pa. — For FFA members past and present, the motto, “Learning to Do; Doing to Learn; Earning to Live; Living to Serve,” is more than words that you recite as a greenhand. The motto embodies a spirit that has been passed from one generation to the next, as new members gain confidence and develop skills that may even lead them into a career.
When Brett Pifer of the Northeast Bradford FFA Chapter began his FFA career, he didn’t really have a goal or a direction. He took agricultural classes because he was interested in the curriculum and joined FFA because he was enrolled in the ag classes.
He is now poised to walk across the stage at the 2007 FFA Mid-Winter Convention when he will receive his Keystone Degree along with 266 other FFA members from Pennsylvania.
“It will be neat to be one that they’re having the ceremony for and not just watching,” said Brett.
Brett’s interest in agriculture came naturally. Both his father and mother have roots in agriculture and their home in the country offered plenty of space to build a barn for their small flock of egg layers. Brett’s father is also the ag teacher and FFA advisor at Northeast Bradford High School.
For the first few years, Brett kept records on his flock of chickens, including feed costs, show records and income from the eggs.
Brett’s chickens are Dominique Bantams, which are listed as rare breeds by the American Livestock Conservancy. He started his flock about eight years ago when he purchased his first birds from a breeder in Bloomsburg. He added new blood from another source and has now established two family lines.
“They’re a small black and white chicken. I thought they were neat,” said Brett.
Although he continues to develop his flock, his main enterprise has become entrepreneurship with his woodworking.
“In 10th grade, I started another project with my woodworking and have continued that as well as my poultry enterprise,” said Brett.
Woodworking began as a hobby when his mother, Susan, purchased a book on woodcarving and some chisels for his 13th birthday.
“That was a big part of developing my skills, or at least getting me started. Before that I whittled, but I didn’t really make anything, only wood chips,” he said.
After Brett did some carving, he discovered woodturning.
“We had a little drill powered lathe,” said Brett.
He spent many hours chipping away at pieces of wood, making piles of sawdust until he burnt out the motor in the drill.
“Then we had to get a real lathe,” said Brett.
Since beginning, Brett has fashioned bits of red oak and cherry into wooden bowls, a lamp and even a pedestal table. He has also made turkey calls and a couple of long bows. His biggest project to date is the fashioning of the banister that frames the staircase in his family’s living room.
“That’s the thing I’m most proud of,” said Brett.
When he’s not tending his flock of chickens or spending time in the woodworking shop, Brett serves as the president of the Northeast Bradford Chapter and the vice president of the Bradford County FFA.
Last summer, he spent 30 days traveling down the Susquehanna River from Cooperstown, New York, to Annapolis, Maryland, with several other FFA members, in a trip sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). While on the expedition, the group camped, fished and performed many experiments relating to water quality, and aquatic life.
“One of the best opportunities I’ve had was the trip I took last summer. Obviously, I wouldn’t have been involved with that if it wasn’t for FFA,” said Brett.
Another highlight of his career was standing behind President George W. Bush as he gave a speech at the 2005 State FFA Convention.
“I was two rows away from shaking his hand,” said Brett.
He has also participated in forestry judging, land judging, poultry judging and wildlife and aquatics competitions, where he has received many honors. Last year, he placed third in the state forestry competition.
“When you do well in those kinds of things, it sparks your interest in it,” said Brett. “Two years ago, I had no idea what I wanted to do. In studying for the state forestry competition, I confirmed that I really was interested in it.”
Brett’s interest in forestry and woodworking has shaped his career path.
 “One of the reasons I’m going to Penn State in forestry is due to FFA,” said Brett.
He also credits the FFA program with teaching organization and helping him to learn record keeping skills.
“You have to remember things,” said Brett.
Brett’s father, Brian, agrees.
“I’ve seen the responsibility and the initiative and I think it’s (FFA) also given him a forum for the things he enjoys,” said Brian. “As a parent, you want your child to be exposed to as many positive opportunities as you can. As the FFA advisor, I realized what those good opportunities were. FFA has provided him with those opportunities that, as a parent, I would not have been able to provide for him.”
Brett has also gained much confidence in himself and his abilities and plans to stay involved with FFA in the future.
“I’m open to opportunities wherever they may lead,” said Brett.