Written by Darcy Swearingen
Did you know that this week is FFA week? I am a proud parent of two current members of the North Iowa Bison FFA. The mission of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. My boys have learned so much from being a part of FFA. The lessons that they have learned are valuable lessons that they will be able to take with them as they graduate this year. The most important lesson is the value of hard work.
One of the most memorable experience was at National FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky. This is where students are able to come together many the other FFA chapters and see students from across the United States. They hear what was going on in agriculture in other areas other than the small rural area they grew up. It was exciting to hear other students talk about their evolvement, experiences, and the opportunities their chapter have to offer.
A project Jacob is currently working on with a mentor, Tracy Adams of Buffalo Center is a 1953 John Deere 60 gas. This former elevator tractor was used to push railroad carts around the yard. He has stripped it down and put in new gaskets, PTO, and currently prepping it for paint. He is excited to show this tractor at the Iowa State Fair but the memories and skills made will last him a lifetime.
FFA is an excellent program. It offers many different opportunities to the students to be involved. These experiences offer opportunities for the students to be able to give back to the community and become more productive and confident future leaders. Time really does go by in a blink of an eye. The memories made in FFA will be passed on for generations to come.
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