ITHACA, N.Y. — With the world in the state that it is in, FFA across the country and in New York has been greatly affected, but we are all staying positive through this difficult time and look forward to being able to continue with our everyday lives. Before we began social distancing, we were able to participate in a few events.
The Taste of New York event in Albany kicked off the month of March. At this gathering, food samples from across the state were presented and demonstrated just how diverse our food system is in New York. Many members of the state legislature were in attendance and it was a pleasure reuniting with Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul and Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball. Several FFA chapters were at the event providing samples and advocating for FFA and agriculture education. It was an honor to represent youth in agriculture and getting to taste all the samples! Thank you to Formaggio Cheese, Ronnybrook Dairy, and Mosher Farm for providing the cheese, milk, and popcorn samples for the New York FFA Association booth, everyone who stopped by enjoyed sampling these agriculture products produced right here in New York.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all of our worlds have changed and as a state association, difficult decisions have had to be made to guarantee the safety of our staff, students, and teachers. It is with a heavy heart that we have had to cancel, postpone or replace in person events with virtual opportunities through the end of May, including the 95th NYS FFA Convention. We know and understand that this is an event that is anticipated and looked forward to joyously all year. It is the capstone event of our year and we are devastated that this choice had to be made. However, we believe that these tough choices are truly necessary to ensure the safety of everyone who would have been in attendance. On behalf of all state officer, know that just because these anticipated events are cancelled doesn’t mean this is the end. In the words of State Sentinel Taylor Rollins: “FFA is not canceled. You are not canceled. Our FFA family and community is and will never be canceled.” Instead of looking at this news as something negative, we challenge every reader to find the positive in this situation. New York FFA’s strength has never been tested like this before and we are all certain that as an association, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever before. For more information on NYS FFA’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak please visit nysffa.org.
Although FFA events have been canceled or rescheduled, New York FFA has managed to stay positive and purposeful throughout the month of March and into April. Students are finding ways to be involved from a distance and teachers across the state are being creative in their ways of connecting and engaging students. From video chats to home projects, students are finding ways to stay busy with their teachers’ challenges.
John Bowne FFA is finding ways to keep students busy and active by making them responsible for interacting on their social media pages. The officers share daily global agriculture facts on their Instagram stories. In addition, they are also responsible for contributing to a series of videos called #AgInside. These activities along with online meetings and discussions are enabling students to educate each other. Thank you John Bowne FFA for sharing how you are adjusting to our new circumstances.
Springville FFA is also making use of social media to stay connected. By using Instagram, Ms. Nickerson, the FFA advisor, is able to send mini lessons to students and others who are interested in learning about agriculture. They are also using Instagram to highlight students Supervised Agricultural Experiences and the work they are doing for school. Officer and chapter meetings are also being held virtually. Thank you, Springville FFA, for all you are doing to continue to educate youth about agriculture.
Otselic Valley students are staying busy during their time away from school. Prior to the school shutting down, their program was restoring a John Deere Model B tractor. To prevent that tractor from sitting in school without anyone to work on it, the tractor has been sent home with a student who owns half the tractor to continue the progress. In addition, the advisor, Ms. Parrott, is posting daily dairy videos for her students to watch. She is able to teach her students about what happens on a working dairy farm, such as what TMR is, why they social distance calves, feeding electrolytes to sick calves and much more! These are incredible ways to stay engaged with students. Thank you Otselic Valley FFA for seeking ways to learn outside of the school building.
Marathon FFA has been utilizing social media to stay in touch and even learned something new about technology as they went! Mrs. Aukema has made it, so group calls are flexible for everyone. Students are able to take their calls wherever they are. For example, if someone is fishing, students can be learning about aquaculture and all be fishing together. These calls have been requested in high demand and students are excited to learn during them. Thank you, Marathon FFA, for trying to be innovative and still give students the opportunity to learn both virtually and hands on.
John Jay FFA and their agriculture classes haven’t paused to take a break during this time. Their plant science class is staying busy. Mr. Hancock, the advisor, has been sending students videos of his own home garden to encourage them to begin their own home vegetable gardens. He is able to show students the process and encourage them to put theory into practice on their own. This also allows students to work on more long-term projects such as the “Grower’s Guide” and a simple plant collection. Students are continuing their learning and doing it successfully. Thank you, John Jay FFA, for not giving up during these difficult times.
South Jefferson FFA members haven’t stopped practicing for future events together although they are miles apart. They are continuing to meet regularly online to practice for their leadership contests. They are practicing Parliamentary Procedure and Agriculture Issues online and are finding success because of their dedication. They are also holding officer meetings and hope to hold full chapter meetings soon. Thank you, South Jefferson FFA, for stepping up and demonstrating how leadership doesn’t end at the classroom door.
Tri-Valley FFA is also staying in touch daily. Officers are utilizing group chats to stay in contact while enjoying random facts of the day and are finding ways to engage members online through positive emails. In addition, the school has been staying very active on social media posting daily video messages from teachers to the students. These videos are encouraging the students to stay positive as well as remind them that the teachers miss them. Thank you, Tri-Valley FFA, for trying to keep students positive now more than ever.
Mount Markham FFA is doing something very special with their social media. Each day they are making an “Ag Student of the Day” post. These posts have the students SAE or project information on it and show just how immersed their students are in agriculture. These students are also interacting with each other through video chats that let everyone see each other, stay in touch, exchange smiles and laughs from a safe distance during chapter meetings and during classes. Thank you Mount Markham FFA for sharing all the great things our students are doing through agricultural education and FFA.
The Cobleskill-Richmondville FFA chapter is taking a unique approach to how they are using technology. They are having online officer meetings and discussing all the ways they are able to promote member engagement. They have created a themed week full of activities for members to participate in with each day being facilitated by an officer who is hosting different activities for members. AT Latif, the chapter treasurer, also created a new Facebook group so members can all post about activities they do so everyone can stay connected and keep up with each other. Thank you, Cobleskill-Richmondville FFA, for thinking outside of the box and providing opportunities for students to engage with each other.
New York is home to resilient and dedicated teachers who always put their students first. Let me know what your FFA chapter or agriculture class is doing to stay in touch and engaged by emailing me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
While FFA programs have been busy during this hectic time, the state officers have been developing ways to stay active and connected with members, teachers, and supporters. Everyday for the month of April, one state officer will be taking over the social media for New York FFA’s Virtual Ag-tivities. Tune in everyday of April at 2pm on Facebook and Instagram to learn something new.
We are hoping that everyone stays health and safe during this time. As a state, we have never been looked at for leadership and positivity as we are now. New York’s FFA members continually rise to the challenge and this is a challenge they can and will overcome.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career successful through agriculture education. For more information regarding FFA, please visit either www.nysffa.org or www.ffa.org.
—Emily Carey, State Reporter