Ben Yeutson, president of the Galesburg FFA Alumni and Supporters, Patrick Sherman, and Dr. Nathaniel Baker joined Galesburg's Morning News to talk about the Galesburg FFA’s exciting upcoming events, their mission to inspire young leaders, and a new community garden partnership.
The organization is working to overcome the perception that FFA is only for students from farming backgrounds, particularly in an area like Galesburg. They highlight the diverse opportunities within agriculture to attract a wider range of students. The Galesburg FFA has experienced a dramatic increase in student enrollment over the past year, attributing this success to outreach efforts and engaging activities
Some upcoming events include:
- VoAg Fair: Held on Friday, May 9 at Galesburg High School (primarily for students). It aims to showcase the diverse aspects of agriculture beyond farming, featuring various displays and activities.
- FFA Banquet: Scheduled for May 16. This event celebrates student achievements from the past year and recognizes the newly elected/appointed officers for the upcoming year.
- Community Garden Planting Day: Kickoff on May 17. This new partnership with OSF St. Mary Medical Center involves students growing seedlings in classrooms and planting them in a community garden to provide fresh produce for those in need.
- Inaugural Golf Tournament: Scheduled for June 20 at Bunker Links. This is a fundraising event to support student competitions and other program needs.
