National Future Farmers of America week was celebrated at Bret Harte and Calaveras high schools this week and youngsters got into the act at both ends of the county.
FFA members actually began the week on Friday, Feb. 17, as they traveled to Modesto to attend the Made for Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy conferences. During the MFE, students explore themselves and learn what kinds of leaders they might be; they improve on the skills that they already possess and work on their weaknesses. The ALA focuses on agriculture issues and helps club leaders put together vision plans to work toward improving agricultural awareness in their respective communities.
“We took 23 students to the conferences,” said Carrie Phillips, an agriculture teacher at Bret Harte.
Bret Harte FFA members use this week to highlight their activities on campus and around the county’s agricultural community. On Tuesday, the club staged a fundraiser for the Friends of the Calaveras County Fair that featured teachers puckering up to kiss pigs. On Thursday, students served lunch to staff on campus to thank them for their support of the FFA’s activities and today is Ag Opportunity Day, during which all Bret Harte students are invited to visit the agriculture classrooms to learn what’s available.
Wednesday is a highlight of FFA week at Bret Harte, at least if you ask youngsters along the Highway 4 corridor. The club opens its doors to preschoolers through first-graders. More than 250 children from area preschools and Copperopolis, Mark Twain and Michelson elementary schools and the Christian Family Learning Center visited and were guided through four different stations, each highlighting something special about agriculture. Agriculture Sciences II students explained how dairy cows produce the milk that the kids drink, helped the children plant California poppies to take home and guided them through a coloring exercise that showcased the benefits of FFA membership.
“I really like FFA,” said sophomore Tyler Fullerton, who helped children plant their poppies. “I like the little kids and it’s fun to work with them and help them get involved in agriculture.”
Easily the most popular of the stations – despite the fact that it took up almost two classrooms – was the petting zoo.
“I like the ducks because they’re cute and they eat funny,” said Tyler Halstead, also a Copper first-grader.
Contact Mike Taylor at mtaylor@calaverasenterprise.com.
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