Local FFA Chapters prepare for National FFA Week

by Benjamin C. Nelson

MACON, MO -- Area FFA Chapters are preparing for one of the busiest weeks throughout the year, National FFA Week which officially begins tomorrow (February 22nd) and runs until the following Saturday (February 29th).

"The Macon FFA Chapter has many upcoming events that our members are excited about! For FFA week, the members are attending a farm show in Kansas City. Here, they will learn and obtain knowledge from many agriculture influencers and businesses, along with possible colleges. Sunday the 23rd, our FFA members will be attending the First Baptist Church. Monday the 24th the members will dress like a farmer. Tuesday the 25th the Freshman will receive their Greenhand degrees and the Sophomores will receive their Chapter degrees. Wednesday the 26th is Commodity day and the members get to listen to a speaker from Poet. Friday the 28th some members will bring in tractors and animals, such as cows, sheep, and pigs, to teach and show the Elementary students about them," stated Macon FFA Adviser, Kaytlyn Mefford.

For the Bevier FFA Chapter, FFA Week events will begin on Sunday February 23rd with Church at the Callao Christian Church and a lunch to follow at Callao 36&3 Cafe. Monday will begin with a Community Breakfast running from 6-8:15 a.m.; throughout the school day will be Chapter T-Shirt Day/College T-Shirt Day. Tuesday is Farmer/Farm Animal Day and drive your truck/tractor to school. Wednesday has a theme of sporting your camouflage and Carhartt gear. Thursday if Official Dress Day with members wearing their FFA Jackets. Wrapping up the week, on Friday is "America Day" and on Sunday (February 30th), Bevier's FFA Week will conclude with church at the Bevier Baptist Church.

For the Macon County R-lV FFA Chapter, FFA Week will begin on Monday (February 24th) with a Community Appreciation Breakfast starting at six in the morning and running until 8 a.m. Member will be wearing their official dress for the breakfast. Freshman members will be wearing their official dress throughout the day as Monday is "Greenhand Day." Tuesday's dress theme is "Camo Day" with an animal scavenger hunt to take place. Wednesday will be where the school battles it out in "John Deere vs. Case" Day; the chapter will also celebrate with a chapter lunch during school. On Thursday, the dress theme is "Favorite Farm Animal Day" coupled along with Food For America service. Wrapping up the week, on Friday the dress theme is "Blue and Gold" and will conclude with a pep assemble at the conclusion of the school day.

For the South Shelby FFA Chapter, FFA Week begins on Sunday (February 23rd) with church at the Shelbina First Christian Church at 10:30 a.m. Following church, members will be treated with Casey's Pizza before heading to Skyzone in Columbia from 2:30-4:30 and making a stop at Culver's before returning back home. On Monday February 24th, the day is themed out to be Muddy Vehicle Day, Staff Appreciation Day, and FFA Apparel Day followed by a chapter meeting at seven that evening. Camo Boot and Member Appreciation Day is Tuesday February 25th. Wednesday has a country theme with a volleyball tournament at 7 p.m. On Thursday, the chapter will be hosting a Community Breakfast from 6:30 - 7:45 in the morning with the rest of the day being Official Dress Day. Finally, wrapping up the week on Friday, the theme is Plaid/Overall Day and Tractor Day. Members will also be reading to elementary students during 6th hour.

For the La Plata FFA Chapter, a Community Pancake Breakfast will be held on February 28th from 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. at the LHS Ag Building. The Atlanta FFA Chapter will also be holding a Community Breakfast but on February 26th from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. at the Atlanta Ag Room.

Official 2020 FFA Week Proclamation:

"Whereas, FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of food, fiber and natural resources systems; and

Whereas, FFA promotes premier leadership, personal growth and career success among its members; and

Whereas, agricultural education and FFA ensure a steady supply of young professionals to meet the growing needs in the science, business and technology of agriculture; and

Whereas,the FFA motto —“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” —gives direction and purpose to these students who take an active role in succeeding in agricultural education; and

Whereas, FFA promotes citizenship, volunteerism, patriotism and cooperation.

Therefore, I do hereby designate the week of Feb. 22-29, 2020, as National FFA Week."

For more information about the National FFA Organization, visit: https://www.ffa.org/