It’s National FFA Week

WESTSIDE — It’s National FFA Week and the national FFA organization remains committed to the individual student, providing a path to achievement in premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

FFA, which stands for Future Farmers of America, continues to help the next generation rise up to meet new challenges by helping its members to develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of agricultural career pathways.

The FFA website states: “We are still the Future Farmers of America, but we are the future biologists, future chemists, future veterinarians, future engineers and future entrepreneurs of America, too.”

The organization is “celebrating more than 90 years of FFA traditions while looking to the organization’s future.”

Local chapters are celebrating the week in a variety of ways. A group of Gentry FFA students attended the Gentry School Board meeting on Monday and led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Students raise animals and show them at the fair, grow vegetables and a variety of plants in the school’s aquaponic system in the school greenhouse, providing vegetables for the school salad bar and for others in the community.

Jeremy Mabry and Wendy Jackson are the school’s agriculture teachers and FFA sponsors. Maybry commended his FFA members and their many awards and accomplishments.

The Gravette Chapter, along with others, will be participating in several activities during National FFA Week.

“Our club will kick off the week Feb. 16-17 by joining other county FFA chapters for a lock-in at John Brown University,” said William Tapp, Gravette agriculture teacher and FFA leader. “A luncheon will be held for local members at the GHS Ag Department on Wednesday. On Friday, Feb. 23, several members will attend the livestock judging clinic at the University of Arkansas. We will wrap up the week Saturday, competing at the U of A Wild Hog Career Development events.”

The Decatur chapter, like its sister organizations across the nation, continues to provide students with the skills and leadership training to pursue a variety of careers in agriculture-related activities. The organization is sponsored by agriculture teacher Lisa Barrett.

Local FFA members work with their agricultural projects and have the opportunity to participate in numerous events throughout the year.

“Today’s FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow,” Tapp said. “Through agricultural education and hands-on learning, they are preparing for 225 unique career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industries.”

We salute the FFA and local members in the Eagle Observer coverage area and commend them for their hard work and many accomplishments.

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Members of Gentry High School’s FFA chapter attended the school board meeting on Monday and led board members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meeting. Pictured are Brooke Blevins (front, left) Sadie Reece, Vernon McKirch,...

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Austin Williamson of Highfill shows at the County Fair.

SUBMITTED A group of Gravette FFA members pause for a photo at an event.

Westside Eagle Observer/SUBMITTED Jacy Smith shows her meat goat during the judging portion of the Benton County Youth Livestock Show at the Benton County Fair.