Bio: Wirtala, Mike (National FFA Conference – 1970)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wirtala, Kyl, Obey, Ferries

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 02 Jul 1970

Mike Wirtala of the Owen-Withee FFA Chapter at Owen-Withee High School, attended a National Future Farmers of America Impact Conference in Washington, D.C. last week. The week-long conference was held at the National FFA Center near the Nation's Capital.

The FFA Conference is designed to improve leadership skills, develop an understanding of the national heritage, and prepare FFA leaders for more effective leadership roles in their chapter and community. In addition, the Conference serves as a forum for the exchange of FFA chapter program ideas among officers from across the nation.

Besides training sessions, the FFA program also includes visits to Mount Vernon Plantation, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, and several other historic monuments and memorials in and around the Capital. A highlight of the week's activities came on Wednesday morning when Mike met with Congressman John Kyl, Republican from Bloomfield, Iowa. Later, Mike attended a Capitol Hill luncheon where he and other FFA members discussed the Congressional process with the Honorable Dave Obey of Wausau.

Mike, 17, is the son of Mrs. Vendla Wirtala of Withee (Clark Co., Wis.). His vocational agriculture instructor is James H. Ferries.