Indee Ag Program Enters Year 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rachael Emig
Ag Instructor & FFA Advisor IJSH
(319) 334-7405
remig@independence.k12.ia.us
Independence, IA- It was an extremely busy summer for the Independence Agriculture Education Program. FFA members put in countless hours on the Supervised Agricultural Experience projects, which they were able to showcase at the Buchanan County Fair as well as the Iowa State Fair. Construction on the greenhouse continued over the last few months finalizing electricity, water and a hydroponic lettuce system. The field appears plentiful from an exceptional summer of growth.
Tanner Erickson-Dale, chapter Vice-President and Junior at the Senior High School completed a tractor restoration project on his 1964 John Deere 4020. He recorded over 300 hours of work learning a variety of skills to prepare the tractor for use and exhibition. “Through this restoration, I have learned time management and that if I set goals and have plans I can achieve them as long as I set myself to them,” said Erickson-Dale. Tanner gave appreciation to Matt and Jay Frye as well as a number of community members and friends who helped him reach his goals. He received a blue ribbon at both the county and state fair on his project. In addition members were involved in swine, beef, horse, dairy, horticulture, and sheep projects.
In the upcoming year the Agriculture Education Program welcomes a new group of 7th grade students to the Junior Senior High School. In addition, 8th grade students will now have the opportunity to sign up for Agriculture as well. The Agriculture Co-Op class will begin this fall with 5 students partnering with area business to gain work place career experience in the industry on a daily basis. In completion of the greenhouse, agriculture education students will gain experience in hydroponics and plant science and production.
The FFA chapter will kick off the upcoming school year with a Back to School BBQ being held at the Junior Senior High School on Wednesday September 9th beginning at 7:00 PM. Chapter President, Mark Thompson encourages all interested to please attend the event, “the Back to School BBQ is going to be a great chance for current members, new members and their parents to learn about the upcoming year’s opportunities, pay membership dues, and answer any questions they have.” The chapter will provide dinner. Those interested are encouraged to visit the Facebook page to find the RSVP form.
Within the next couple of weeks classes will begin again and the Independence Agriculture Education program will begin its third year. Once again we thank those that have and continue to support our program. It is with your generosity and involvement we are able to continue to offer and expand the opportunity for students in Independence to grow through Agriculture Education and the National FFA Organization. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachael Emig, Agriculture Education Instructor & FFA Advisor
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