H-D-CAL AG Students, FFA Chapter Start School Year off Strong

The ag students and Tall Corn FFA chapter at H-D-CAL have been busy — and they’ve got a lot in the works!

Just last Wednesday, Oct. 1, the ag 1 class attended a leadership training called Greenhand Fire-Up and the ag II class competed in the North Central District Soils Judging Contest at Ellsworth Community College.

The chapter had five teams compete in the soil judging contest, with the best team placing 33rd out of 78, which earned them a silver rating.

H-D-CAL Agriculture Education Instructor Kyle O'Brien told the Chronicle that he’s proud of all 37 students who attended that day, explaining that they all went home with valuable skills and experience.

O'Brien added that their Tall Corn FFA chapter was once again selected to sell seeds through Brevant’s “Turn the Bag Blue & Gold” program, which allows them to fundraise for upcoming activities and learn about the process of seed sales and management. They will begin selling seeds in December and bags will be delivered starting in March.

More exciting news: Eight of O'Brien's students will be taking a trip to Indianapolis at the end of the month, from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, for the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo. The students will attend workshops and career tours.

"This is a great way for them to talk to different people in the industry, from people with John Deere to people who have their own start-up tech companies in ag," said O'Brien.

O'Brien also wanted to remind the community about their upcoming annual pork loin supper, which is scheduled to take place during the home football games (both JV and varsity) on Friday, Oct. 17. The students will be selling a pork loin sandwich, chips, dessert and water.

Tickets will cost eight dollars during pre-sale and ten dollars at the door. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased through Bound.