FFA teaches members a variety of skills
Kelsi Reynolds loves being out on the farm and joined FFA to learn more about what she enjoys doing.
“I then started working on a dairy farm and not too long after I got my own cattle,” said the Ridgewood High School senior. “My favorite project has been working with my cows for fair. It definitely is not easy, but it has been the best experience I’ve had so far.”
FFA members and alumni will celebrate the impact the organization has had on their lives Feb. 19-26 during National FFA Week.
Ridgewood sophomore Hayden Kilchenman joined FFA because she likes the classes that are offered and spending time with advisors Mrs. Davis and Mr. Pyers.
“I love the people that I have met and been around in FFA,” Kilchenman said. “My favorite project is my dairy cows and heifers because they have been in my family for years and my dad showed them when he was younger.”
Alyna Weaver, a junior at Ridgewood, enjoyed being able to attend the National FFA Convention.
“I was able to meet new people and make memories with younger members in our chapter,” she said. “Some life lessons that I have learned through FFA are that even things that seem impossible can be accomplished when you’re with people who support you and that friends are family if you’re together enough.”
Laney Hostetler, a senior at Ridgewood, is the 2021-2022 president for FFA.
“I joined FFA because it prepares students by helping develop leadership and life skills,” she said. “Joining FFA has given me educational opportunities simply by showing my pig at the fair. I have shown pigs for five years at the Coshocton County Fair. When I am out there showing it doesn’t feel like a competition because my teachers have taught us no matter what you place it shouldn’t matter it’s the whole point of having fun. FFA has shown me to be a leader and a helping hand for other people. For example, during the holidays we will go shopping for different families and get those children gifts so they will have something to open up on Christmas. When the FFA officers do things like that for kids in need we are also trying to prove everyone is equal and nobody is better than one another just be the helping hand and be the leader.”
Emma Sampsel joined FFA because it was something that her older sister did when she was in high school.
“She went on to be very successful in her time in FFA and it’s something I’ve always admired,” said the River View junior. “I also joined because I plan on having a future career in the field of agriculture.”
Sampsel’s favorite FFA project is the hog co-op.
“The co-op gives members of our chapter the opportunity to raise a market hog on our school farm,” she said. “The members involved get to experience the responsibility of caring for the hogs including feeding, cleaning pens, and vetting. The members do all of this in a rotating schedule. The also get the experience to show their market hogs at the Coshocton County Fair.”
River View High School freshman Melissa Chanay is just getting started with FFA.
“I joined because my mom thought I would like the program,” she said. “I really enjoyed participating in Touch of Country Christmas. It was fun seeing all the people and talking about my rabbit.”
Her classmate Jaelynn Hall said she’s learned about different breeds of cows and would recommend FFA to others.
“If you love being outdoors and learning different things and dealing with animals then you would love it,” Hall said.
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