FIELD WORK … Wauseon FFA students prepare to work in the fields that the program oversees for students. (PHOTOS PROVIDED)
By: Jacob Kessler
The Wauseon Schools FFA program gives students access to a hand on learning experience. The school has access to two plots of land that the program uses to teach students about agriculture and the logistics that take place when planting, harvesting and the time in-between.
The two plots of land are separated with one being close to the Middle School by Indian Way in partnership with the Zimmerman family. The other plot is located by the reservoir in partnership with the City of Wauseon.
Students work with seed dealers to go through the process of buying seeds before planting in these plots, just like they would with their own field.
The schools tries to work with seed dealers who are Wauseon Alumni and who had previously worked in schools FFA program.
The goal is to have the students be as involved as possible with these fields to help them learn the most.
After making the decisions for what seeds to buy and when, students will work to unload the seeds and will find a way to plant them, whether that is through a family member with a planter or a farmer who donates their time. The chemical work for the spraying of the fields is contracted out to Gerald Grain.
Students will work with former students and farmers to go out into the fields to scout for weeds and insects that the spray will be used for.
These alumni and volunteers come in and speak with the students on what to look for and why they look for them.
When it is time to harvest the fields, these alumni and volunteers help the students to clear the fields. Some student’s family members who own a combine are also able to volunteer their time to clear the fields.
Once the harvest is complete, students start working on how and when to sell the grain. In some ways, figuring out when to sell the grain is a lot like figuring out when to sell in the stock market.
WAUSEON FFA … The Wauseon FFA students pose for a program photo in the school gymnasium.
Prices go up and down and future outlooks can look good or bad with no sure-fire way to know if those outlooks are completely correct.
Once the grain is sold though, the money collected goes back into the FFA fund. This replenishes the program so that they are able to continue on with it during the following season.
Students also learn hands on experience at a livestock barn that the program has as well as a garden behind the high school.
Currently the garden has ten raised beds that are worked throughout the summer. The FFA Program also pairs with the Spanish Honor Society for these raised beds.
For the garden, students also make the decisions on what is grown there just like the fields. They also work the area until it is ready to harvest.
The barn has animals inside all year round and currently has 19 hens. Students built the coops that are inside. The coops also have access to the outdoors giving the hens the ability to go outside from time to time.
Eggs are collected every day and, like all other fresh food collected, is donated to either the senior center or the food pantry in egg cartons which feature a label designed by the students. The barn is also open to be used for the student’s fair project if they need it.
In a world of PowerPoint learning, hands on learning is more important than ever. “It is imperative that we are sharing this with them every day.”
“Most people do not realize that less than 2% of the population is responsible for feeding us every day. We are teaching them all to be a part of it. Getting experience to be a part of the food chain and doing the projects at the fair to see what all goes with it, I just feel very blessed to be a part of this.”
“To do these things is challenging but also very rewarding,” said FFA Advisor and Agriculture Education Instructor Katie Black.
Katie Black, along with Chris Thomas and others in the Wauseon School District, work to better the experience that students receive while in school.
This experience can be pivotal before moving on to receive a higher education in this field because it can give those students an advantage in their studies.
It also helps to make more Future Farmers of America which in turn, continues the food supply for all of us.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com