Amanda Rink, Editor
The CGD FFA Chapter will celebrate National FFA Week from February 18th through the 24th. The now annual celebration began in 1947 when the National FFA Board assigned the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week. The board chose to align the celebration with George Washington’s birthday because of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.
According to the FFA Website: “National FFA Week is an opportunity for FFA members, alumni, and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. It's a time to share with local, state, and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day.”
The Iowa FFA is a youth organization of more than 18,000 students with 263 local FFA chapters across our state. The mission of the FFA is to “make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.”
Formed in 1929 at Iowa State College, the FFA is an important part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides direction for the FFA as a service to local ag education. In Clarion, the FFA director is Angela Charlson.
The CGD chapter is an active chapter with service to others at the forefront of their education. The chapter packages lunches for local farmers during the harvest season. They actively volunteer at the local food pantry and partake in other community outreach.
In the Fall of 2023, members took part in the North Central Soil Judging competition. Additionally, Jordyce Duncalf and Harley Charlson traveled to the North Central District FFA Officer interviews at West Marshall High School.
Students work in various ways to raise money for the local FFA Chapter. In September of 2023, the students partnered with the Wright County Cattlemen to serve a football tailgate dinner. The local chapter sells fruit, meat, cheese, and candies, like most FFA Chapters across our nation. The funds gathered from these sales are used for community projects, monthly meeting expenses, banquet supplies, awards, state and national conventions, and other opportunities for FFA members.
The most current project the chapter is focusing on is their annual Meals From the Heartland packaging event. The Wright County Charitable Foundation has awarded the FFA Chapter a grant to continue this project but the group is still looking for financial contributions and volunteers from our community to help. The financial goal the students have set is $6,500.
Packaging for the meals will take place on Feburary 21st at the CGD High School. This activity is in collaboration with the Ministerial Association and the public is encouraged to volunteer. Please contact Mrs. Charlson at acharlson@clargold.org for more information.
