Even though it was the first time they have entered the Ag Mechanics competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, members of the Octorara FFA captured an award for the log splitter that they designed and created.

"This is the first year (the Farm Show organizers) have done (a log splitting contest). Before that it was restoring antique tractors, so (the students) decided to participate," explained FFA adviser Charles Graydus.

The students were required to not only design and build a log splitter, but also to make a presentation to the Farm Show judges and create a video about their log splitter. The videos were posted on YouTube, and members of the public were invited to vote for their favorite. Local residents were encouraged to vote for the video, which was also posted at http://www.facebook.com/FFAOctorara. For the video, Octorara students won the Reader's Choice Award, also known as the People's Choice Award.

The video explains the unique design of Octorara's log splitter, which features a lift that allows heavy logs to roll easily onto the table saw, as well as a saw blade that is double-sided, allowing the user to cut more logs and split them more quickly. Plus, the entire device had to fit on a trailer that the students created.

"First, they did research. They found one that they liked that split (logs) both ways versus the traditional one that only splits one way," Graydus said. "Then they came up with their own plans."

Graydus is a teacher in the Agriculture Mechanics Program, which is part of the Octorara Area Career & Technical Education program at Octorara Junior-Senior High School. He said that the students designed and built the log-splitter during class. Production began last fall.

"We tried things and if it didn't work, we modified it," he said, noting that Billy Miller was the project foreman. "They got along very well." In addition to Miller, the team was made up of Mason Woodall, Merle Reyburn, Cyrus Stoltzfus and Dylan Colagreco.

The log splitter was so well received at the Farm Show that some approached Graydus with an offer to buy it. "A couple of them thought we were an industry that built them. And I told them, 'It is a student project,'" said Graydus.

As of now, Graydus and the students are not sure what will become of their log splitter. They have discussed chancing it off through a drawing to raise money for the club.

"I have it now at home," said Graydus, who resides on a farm in Elverson. "I have some pretty big logs to split. I will put it through the test (before we decide)."

For their efforts, the students won a cash prize and a plaque.

To view the video that the Octorara students created about the log splitter, visit http://www.youtube.com and search for "OCTORARA log splitter" or search for the link at the previously mentioned Facebook page.