Fairfield chapter plans special days for National FFA Week

During the 2022-2023 school year, Fairfield FFA members have been involved in a number of activities. Each month, the chapter holds meetings. Business is conducted, and also members participate in activities before or after some of the meetings.

In September and October, Chase Johnston, Wyatt Lovelady, Dillan Post, Josh Mineart, Brianna Steele and Maddi Woodburn participated in sub-district, district, and state soils judging competition. It was informative seeing the different kinds of soil and all the other members from other FFA groups there as well.

National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis from Oct. 26-29. We had 10 members attend. The highlight of the trip was witnessing FHS Alums Sophia Mineart and Brad Smithburg receive their American FFA degrees, the highest level of achievement and FFA member can earn.

While at National Convention, FFA members attended workshops, and even had some team building time in an escape room. The day after National Convention, FFA members handed out candy to nearly 1,500 kids at Trunk or Treat on the fairgrounds. In November, the fruit from our Fruit and Cheese fundraiser was delivered. We also had a meeting and our Christmas party. For the party, we ordered pizza and played cornhole as a group.

Teams will be participating in Subdistrict contests in February and District contests in March. The contests that are getting ready are Conduct of Meetings and Welding.

During FFA Week (Feb. 18-25), the chapter has scheduled dress up days for each day. “Tractor Day” will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23 and the pancake breakfast will be held on Friday, Feb. 25 in the Ag Shop. All school staff, FFA families, and community supporters are invited to attend. We will serve breakfast from 6-8 a.m. The menu is pancakes, sausage, eggs, milk, juice, and coffee.

Yet this year, members are planning to participate in the state FFA convention April 16-18. They will prepare for contests that are held as a part of the convention. Dillan Post will receive his Iowa FFA Degree as a part of this event. This summer will feature the annual FFA Food Stand at the Greater Jefferson County Fair.

From left, Chase Johnston, Wyatt Lovelady, Dillan Post, Josh Mineart, Brianna Steele and Maddi Woodburn logged well over 30 hours of practice on soil judging. At District Competition in Muscatine Sept. 28, Fairfield placed third out of 52 teams, earning a trip to State FFA Soils Judging in Ames where the team placed 12th out of 30. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Peck)

Fairfield FFA member Brad Woodburn shows his Yorkshire gilt at the 2022 Iowa State Fair. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Peck)

Fairfield FFA members Josh Mineart, Sterling Spees, Wyatt Lovelady, Brianna Steele, Colton Adkison and Maddi Woodburn (not pictured), along with Mr. Peck (FFA Advisor) pose for a picture after handing out candy to more than 1,500 kids at 2022 Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30. They did this the day after attending National FFA Convention Oct. 26-29 in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Peck)