theordquiz.com

By Kate Wolf
     Dave Ference has been one of the treasures of Valley County for the past 36 years, taking over from Frank Andreesen as Ord High School’s voc-ag educator, as well as FFA Advisor and Young Farmers & Ranchers sponsor.  This past week, at the Nebraska State FFA Convention, his contributions were recognized and he became one of six finalists for the FFA Golden Owl Award.
   “I was very humbled by the nomination, but very appreciative of it,” Ference said.  “I believe if you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen.”
     Over the years, Ference has made his mark as a voc-ag educator and many students remember him as their favorite teacher of all time.  In his unique and humble way, Ference fosters a genuine work ethic, respect for others, and kindness in his daily curriculum.  There is no room in his classroom for bullying, discourtesy or lack of respect and his students admire him for it.  He is more than a teacher/advisor….he is the epitome of what he hopes to mentor in his students.  His favorite saying is one they’ve all heard many times:  “You can’t hoot with the owls all night if you expect to fly with the eagles the next day.”
     The academic standards in the voc-ag classroom, in their Supervised Ag Experiences (SAE), and their high marks in FFA competition speak volumes about the success of Dave Ference in his career as an educator.  These kids not only live up to his expectations, they work hard to exceed them, and he is just as proud of their accomplishments as if they were his own children.
   That’s a rare and valuable trait in a teacher and his accomplishments are legendary.  He has mentored 15 student teachers with another expected this spring and re-established the Young Farmers & Ranchers organization.  He has supervised the building of two FFA greenhouses for horticultural study, and has been an active member of agricultural and other educational associations such as the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association, the Nebraska State Educators Association, and the Ord Education Association.
     Over the years, Ference has averaged 60 students who belong to FFA each year and developed the point system for earning a place at Nationals.  He’s had 31 range judging teams that have excelled, 132 students who earned their FFA State Degrees, 52 who earned their American Degree, mentored eight State FFA Officers, as well as six out of 11 who have gone on to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, Ference has supervised FFA students in running concessions during home athletic events.
   For more than 25 years, he has prepared meat for the Valley County Fair Board community barbecue and for the past 10 years, he has supervised FFA students in farming salvage land behind the ethanol plant so the young people get hands-on farming experience.
   Ference has received many awards during his career including:  Outstanding Young Farmers Advisor (1995 and 2000); Honorary Chapter Degree (1996); Honorary State FFA Degree (1996); NVAA Outstanding Teacher of Vocational Agriculture (1999); Ord Community Educator of the Year (2002); Honorary FFA American Degree (2002); Valley County Excellence Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Agribusiness Person;  Honorary Chamber of Commerce Member for Life award from Valley County; Outstanding Ag Teacher of the Year; and National Resources Educator of the Year award.
     The Golden Owl Award is nationwide.  With its presentation, the Nebraska FFA Foundation and the Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association recognize ag educators across Nebraska for their tremendous contributions to help the next generation of ag leaders.  Students, fellow teachers, members of the community and other supporters nominate their favorite ag teacher and summarize what makes him or her the best in the state.  Nominees have the opportunity to win cash prizes and the title Nebraska Educator of the Year.  Prizes include $500 and an engraved plaque to each of the six nominees.  An additional $3,000 plus the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy is presented to the Grand Prize winner.  Also, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. will donate $5,000 to further support the personal and professional growth of teachers and advisors alike.  The winner will be announced around June 3, 23025 at the FFA Summer Conference.
   Ference was born and raised on a farm near Loup City.  One of eight children, he attended country school before moving on to Middle School where his future career was inspired by educator Steve Grosshans.  He graduated from Loup City High School in 1982.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1986 with more than 30 additional hours in Teaching Method, student taught in Schuyler, NE, and taught for two years in Pawnee City.  For the past 36 years he has been a valued and highly respected member of the Ord High School faculty.  He also served as assistant wrestling coach under Carl Streeter.
   Dave and Christie Ference have four children:  Jessica, Johnny, Vanessa and Vickie, as well as two grandchildren with another on the way very soon.  They still have farming interests and livestock in both rural Valley and Sherman Counties.  He is quite clear that the outstanding support of his wife and family has made his successful career possible and he is both proud and grateful for that support. 
   “I am so blessed,” he commented.  “It’s a privilege to work with the students, parents, school faculty, administration and the community to ensure that our next generation of ag leaders is fully prepared to take on the challenges they will face in the future.”
   Our congratulations go out to Dave Ference for his nomination to receive such a prestigious award. We are proud to have stellar teachers, such as him, helping area students achieve their fullest potential.