The FFA decided to try something new this year with the sixth grade class. They wanted the young students to learn about agriculture so they can be involved in the future. The FFA contacted the Conservation Department to see if they would help out, and Adam Brandsgaard and T.J. Peacher from the department came to give the FFA ideas and stayed to observe the day. The event was held at the tennis courts and Recreational Park. In all there were 5 stations, 2 games, and a maze for the sixth graders to complete. There was a station for tracks, trees, furs, skulls, and a food web. They had a game called Gobble Wobble that taught the students about turkeys and predators. The other game was called ‘Oh Deer,’ which taught the students about deer and elements they need to survive. The FFA members also set up a tree maze for the students to go through.

Conservation Education Consultant Adam Bransgaard stayed at the tree maze most of the time and was glad he was able to help out. Adam said, “I do my best to help kids understand and appreciate the things they see every day. I think the students went through and saw some things that they knew about, but I think it helped them understand it more when we fully explored it and talked about it.” 

Most of the sixth graders learned something new from this event. They were glad they had the opportunity to come and participate. The students learned many fascinating facts from this event. Sixth Grade Student Zack Clark said, “We learned how to find out how old a tree is and how to identify different types of trees. I enjoyed it and had a great time. A couple of my friends thought it was amazing, some others just thought it was really cool to not have homework.” Zack said he would love to do this again some time in the future.

The FFA plans to do oblige the students’ request because of the great turn out. Vice President (Senior) Cody Githens said, “It was educational for the students and they all had a good time. It teaches them about conservation, agriculture, and wildlife. It’s a good experience with hands-on and outdoor activities. We decided to do this for the sixth graders, because once they get into seventh grade they are able to choose their own classes. We wanted to give them a chance to see what FFA was about so they could be a part of it.”

Mr. Bransgaard never was able to be a part of FFA because his school didn’t offer it. Bransgaard said, “I would have loved to be in FFA; my grandad farmed and I loved being able to go out and help him do things and see how stuff works. I wished I could’ve learned that stuff and been able to benefit from FFA.” He may have not been a part of FFA, but Conservation is a big part of his life. FFA and Conservation relate in many ways, and are both beneficial for students to learn about.

This activity the FFA held turned out to be a huge success with 137 students participating. The sixth graders are learning about wildlife and how to identify trees right now, so this helped educate them more about it. The sixth grade class found it to be an educational day and really enjoyed it and the FFA might have recruited a whole new generation.