By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
HAMBLETON – Members of the Tucker County High School FFA program have had a busy few weeks. Last week, the group traveled to the West Virginia University Small Farms Conference where Cheyenne Phillips, Lexi Roth and Jacob Hauser took second place in the Agriculture Communications Contest.
The group also presented a multi-faceted plan to help promote the local “Taste of Tucker” Farmer’s Market during the event and Jacob Beavers gathered a fourth place on his entry in the 2nd annual pop off competition – where contestants are judged on the best tasting locally grown popcorn.
TCHS FFA students met the challenge, and this year they remain the state’s top Florida strawberry seller. Advisor Terry Hauser along with FFA students want to thank Tucker County residents for continuing to support that fundraiser.
National FFA Week was celebrated last week at school and events included attending St. Paul’s Methodist Church wearing their official dress. The group has been doing this for the last three years.
On Monday, FFA students wore flannel shirts and freshman FFA members had a green hand each day of the week. The students shared facts with others including the fact that West Virginia FFA expects to top 6,000 members in 2016 and that West Virginia has the largest percentage of family farms in the United States.
On Tuesday, FFA students prepared breakfast for TCHS teachers. It included student raised bacon, sausage and eggs, as well as pancakes, biscuits and hash browns.
On Wednesday, FFA hosted a student body viewing of ‘Chew on This’ which documents modern agriculture production, animal care, environmental stewardship, food safety, economics and the agricultural community efforts to feed the hungry in the United States.
Students viewed a trailer for ‘Ivy League Farmer’ whose proceeds are dedicated to fight hunger and they were challenged to rent the movie for their home to help fight hunger. The group set a goal of $500, and all proceeds will go to the Tucker County Family Resource Network to support the Backpack Buddies program.
On Thursday, students could purchase an FFA sticker to put on their hat for $1. All proceeds from that fundraiser were designated to support Lisa Dyer. Finally, on Friday, FFA students wore their official dress to show their FFA pride.
TCHS Principal Jay Hamric said the breakfast was delicious and said the FFA students show a positive influence for the other students in the school.
“The influence and positive manners the FFA students have at our school makes them a role model for other students,” Hamric said.
Hauser said the students are making preparation for the upcoming spring plant sale.