It can be said that in FFA, there is no off-season. While events are taking place year-round in FFA, the fall is particularly busy. Central’s FFA chapter has found some substantial success in competitions this fall already. The chapter’s dairy, horse, poultry and wildlife teams have all done particularly well, placing high enough in their events to advance to compete at the State FFA Convention in April. In addition to those contest teams, many students have worked hard to make some service projects go well, along with many very generous donations from area farmers and businesses.
The 2022 edition of the corn drive service project was a very good one. Even though it was held on a cold October day, the timing was right on as there were many farmers in the fields in their combines. Students visited fields and farm sites around the area and it turned out to be a record-setting year. By the time the day was through, nearly 1500 bushels of corn were donated to the charity event. In addition to the money raised from the sale of that corn, there were many generous donations from area farmers and businesses. Altogether, the total amount that was collected and then donated to the True Friends/Camp Courage organization was $11088.50. And, it should be noted that a total that high was another chapter record. Truly, the chapter can’t thank the area individuals who donated enough. Also, thank you so much to Ag Specialists in Plato for working with NYA FFA during the event and donating the cost of the drying of corn that was sold there.
In addition to the traditional corn drive service project, FFA also was able to get students involved, many of them young middle school students, through the Feed a Farmer part of the project. These students were able to visit many area fields and farms and distribute lunches to show appreciation for all of the hard work they perform every day. This allowed these students to gain a better understanding of what it takes to raise a crop in the field and livestock at the farm.
Since the corn drive finished, the chapter was also part of the Carver County Fair’s Trunk or Treat event in late October. At that event, the chapter gave out candy to an estimated 900 visitors. The chapter also took the 3rd place prize for the Ghostbusters theme setup that was enjoyed by those who visited the fairgrounds that day.
What’s next for FFA? The chapter is having some fun with an animal holiday costume contest where members are sending in photos of calves, dogs, llamas, and more in their most festive outfits. Feel free to check out Norwood Young America FFA on Facebook to see the pictures that have been submitted. The chapter is also working on preparing for the January contests, which include ag mechanics and crops, and plans on attending the World’s Toughest Rodeo in St. Paul in February. Indeed, there is no off-season for FFA!
Wyatt Noll and his friends work on shoveling corn that was donated during the corn drive in October.
Ben Heuer and others look on as they unload corn in Plato during the corn drive.
FFA members are in the field, dropping off lunches for farmers during the corn drive.
A visit to the Hoen dairy farm during the corn drive to drop off lunches.