The Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter at Chinook High recently hosted a number of ag related activities for elementary students from Meadowlark elementary school. The Meadowlark students came to the CHS vocational-ag shop where FFA members presented activities that were both fun and educational. CHS Vo-ag teacher Robin Allen said, "We've been doing this multi-grade activity for national FFA Week since at least 2007. The event might predate the time I came to CHS."

This marks the 70th anniversary of national FFA Week. The nationwide event's purpose is to "share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day." Teacher and FFA chapter advisor Allen believes one way to share about FFA is to involve the next generation of students and show them some of what FFA is all about using hands on activities.

Officially FFA Week is celebrated in mid-February. Allen explained the spring celebration at CHS noting, "It's always so cold in February that we move our activities to the spring. It seems to work better for us despite the closeness to graduation and end of school."

The activities the FFA members do with the elementary students varies each year. When the two first grade classes arrived at the high school shop, the kids were divided in to three groups. One group started with a relay challenge, then searched through ag magazines to answer questions about livestock and farm plants.

A second group was in the hallway, each child holding a sign with the name of some part of a flowering plant. The challenge was for students to arrange themselves, on the floor, so their sign with a plant part was in the correct order like on a live plant. For the first graders the a major source of entertainment was sliding around on the floor, backside down, and bumping in to other 'flower parts.'

The third group had donned shop jackets, old t-shirts and other protective gear and were painting the boards that would eventually be part of a 'friendship bench.' The younger elementary students were painting the boards for one bench and, later, the sixth graders would make their own bench. Both benches will eventually be erected in the yard at the Meadowlark School.

After an allotted time, the groups switched and each group began a new challenge. FFA members oversaw the activities the kids were doing. The FFA members had differing responses to working with the younger kids. Rebecca Stroh, a CHS freshman, said, "I didn't realize kids that

age (first graders) had so much energy." Alyssa Gruszie said she was surprised by some of the comments the kids made.

Kurtis Hamilton, over at the painting activity, said, "These little kids always seem to be having a great time." One highlight of the painting was everyone sloshing their hands around in a bowl of water to get the paint off. Splashing water as a part of school work is hard to beat for first and second graders.

Teachers accompany the Meadowlark students but basically become observers as the FFA members do the teaching. Kasie Gandenberger and Courtney Bell are first grade teachers and both have brought students over in past years for FFA Week activities. Gandenberger said, "The kids learn a lot about ag animals and plants. I noticed this year the painting was very popular." A chance to be messy and splash water after the project is over, Gandenberger didn't seem surprised at all.

Second grade teachers were Melinda Jones and Sheena Barber. This was the second year for Barber to bring students. She said, "One thing I've noticed both years is the little kids really enjoy working with high school students, especially if the FFA member is a sibling or high school student they already know." The youngsters responded well to their FFA mentors.

CHS Vo-ag teacher Robin Allen (left of photo) helps first graders from Meadowlark wash up after painting on a friendship bench. The youngsters were guests of the FFA chapter and participated in several learning activities put on by FFA chapter members. The visit by Meadowlark students was part of national FFA Week.

The stated purpose of FFA week is to "promote and celebrate agriculture." If the Meadowlark students don't go away with a new appreciation of agriculture, it's not for lack of trying by the FFA members who ran the activities. The "Journal" thanks the Chinook High FFA students and FFA advisor Robin Allen for helping the next generation gain a better understanding of the role and importance of agriculture.