Washington County Enterprise-Leader
65 Years Of FFA In Prairie Grove
The Prairie Grove FFA Chapter has a long legacy of success. Chartered in 1949, the chapter has experienced many changes in the past 65 years. FFA membership has reached 227 students, and chapter activity involvement is greater than ever before with a large number of opportunities available to students.
During the week of the Washington County Fair, students showcase livestock projects they have spent the summer raising and compete with fellow FFA and 4-H members. Prairie Grove members were awarded three breed champion market hogs, grand champion market lamb, and grand champion senior swine showman.
The Prairie Grove FFA Chapter also provides sanitation of grounds and parking for the Washington County Fair. Students volunteer to earn work points, and the funds raised provide opportunities for chapter members.
Over Labor Day weekend, which more often than not intersects with the end of the Washington County Fair, the Prairie Grove FFA Chapter is busy distributing ice to vendors at the Prairie Grove Clothesline Fair as a community service project.
This year, two state-winning Career Development Event teams from Prairie Grove progressed to the National CDE Competition, held at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. The Meats Evaluation team, consisting of Loren Gragg, Will Pohlman and Colton Teekell, placed eighth, receiving a gold emblem, and Pohlman was recognized as third highest individual and Teekell was recognized in eighth place for individual standings. The Nursery/ Landscape team, consisting of Dakota Davis, Rachel Hays, Jeana Mathias and David Smith, placed seventh, receiving a gold emblem, and Hays was recognized as ninth high individual.
John Brown University hosts the annual Prairie Grove FFA chapter lock-in, a night in which chapter members get to know each other and spend time together in a recreational setting. This year, 100 members attended the lock-in.
The Prairie Grove FFA Chapter is proud to host the Wild Hog CDE judg- ing contest at the end of FFA Week, the largest practice contest in the state of Arkansas. Between 1,500 and 2,000 students from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri are anticipated.
The upcoming annual FFA Ranch Rodeo, which features practical horse and rider events, such as team penning, sorting, mock branding and trailer loading, will be held March 29 at Willow Springs Arena. Our chapter hosts this event to raise funds for chapter Blue and Gold Club scholarships.