FFA Field Day: Exploring the future of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture hosted its annual Future Farmers of America (FFA) Field Day, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Charles H. Hutson Greenhouse, Nemanick Alternative Garden and the David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center.

The Agricultural Department welcomed over 600 FFA high school students from local and regional high schools in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. The FFA Chapters participated in mini-tours of the Charles H. Hutson Greenhouse and Nemanick Garden and then traveled to the David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center, where they engaged in various hands-on agricultural activities.

Marissa Franke, an instructor within the Department of Agriculture, was one of many who helped organize this event. She was extremely excited to kick it off and introduce the high school students to the various option areas that SEMO’s Department of Agriculture offers.

“It is important that we host our FFA Field Day because each new year brings a new group of students to this event. The younger students, although involved in an FFA Chapter, may not have a ton of exposure to the agriculture industry and when we are able to host events like this, it emphasizes the variety of pathways agriculture has to offer all while making it exciting being outside of the classroom,” Franke said.

When schools arrived at the David M. Barton Agriculture Research Center, they visited each booth and engaged in activities that were specific to a pathway in agriculture.

Students played Jeopardy testing their knowledge on all things agriculture education, tested their luck in a game of Bingo that emphasized horticulture plants and crops and visited a soybean booth discussing how sub-surface irrigation aids in the growth of that plant. Both professors and students led booths and activities.

Greenville agriculture teacher, FFA advisor, and SEMO agriculture education major alumni Zach Link, shared why FFA Field day is a great way for high schoolers to explore all the areas of agriculture.

“Lots of these stations they are doing here are great for students that are interested in Agriculture. Even if they didn’t know they were interested in Ag, these stations are peaking their interest, getting them involved, giving them something to think about, maybe something they want to work towards,” Link said.

After completing the booths, students gathered at the Hoop Barn to cool off, meet other FFA members, play games, and enjoy lunch.

Austin Gross, an agriculture major and former FFA member who helped volunteer at the FFA Field Day, explained the importance to have FFA events like Field Day.

“It’s important to have these type of events because it gives us the chance to share our knowledge, stories, and experiences with a younger generation. Doing these events keeps the young generation engaged with the agriculture industry. Therefore the industry will keep growing as it should,” Gross said.