The agriculture department at Dolores Schools is hosting FFA week to recruit future farmers and educate students on career opportunities.
On Tuesday, it was tractor day, and dozens of elementary school students swarmed over a giant Case-Holland combine and two industrial-size tractors.
Sixth-grader Madi Ritter climbed up the ladder and took a turn in the cab, working the pedals and getting instruction on the giant machine.
“It was cool to learn how it works, and it might be useful to help my neighbors out on their farm,” she says. “We learned that tractors have improved a lot.”
Teli Hamilton, chapter president of the local Future Farmers of America, said the week is a way to recruit new members and inspire the next generation of farmers.
“We’re losing producers every day, so this is a way to try an turn it around because agriculturalists are key to the local economy and future of the country,” he said. “It fun to see these young kids get excited about tractors.”
FFA Week highlights the modern aspects of agriculture and the diversity of careers, from crop research and computer technology to veterinarian science, the future’s market, manufacturing and the food industry.
“We want to keep it alive and continue the tradition by getting kids into the program,” Hamilton, 17, added. “It can be a well-paying career.”
All week, students will participate in educational seminars and fun, farming-related games and activities, including competitive ag-olympics, trivia contests, and Colorado Day that focuses on the state’s marquee crops such as potatoes from the San Luis Valley and corn from Olathe and the Ute Mountain Ute tribe. Newer and revived crops such as hemp, vineyards, and fruit orchards will also be studied.
“The first step is teaching young kids where their food comes from, showing them the modern farming techniques,” said ag teacher Kady Meyer. “They’re learning the variety of careers out there in agriculture, and that lot of it is high tech- and science- based.”
Dara Suckla, a ninth-grader, comes from a agriculture background and shared her knowledge with fellow students during a trivia wheel exercise.
“Agriculture is so important on so many levels and we’re teaching kids that we all rely on it to live,” she says. “We’re showing them it is not just farming, it’s manufacturing, marketing, working with animals, working with technology and machines, it’s part of the clothing industry, the list goes on and on. There is so much opportunity for good careers.”
For more information on joining Dolores FFA Chapter contact Kady Meyer at 970-882-7288 ext. 2507.