Crooked Creek FFA keeps busy

WINFIELD — Established 11 years ago, the Crooked Creek FFA Chapter in Winfield is an co-curricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership.

Crooked Creek’s chapter consists of all high school students that participate in an agriculture class. The school automatically enrolls these students into the chapter and this gives them the opportunity to participate in FFA Contests.

Seventh and eighth grade students taking an agriculture exploratory may also participate in the chapter by simply speaking with FFA Advisor and Agriculture teacher Amanda Brown and attending chapter meetings.

“FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education,” Brown describes the program. “FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.”

According to Brown, current FFA members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers, and premier professionals in many career fields.

The Crooked Creek FFA Chapter keeps busy learning, exploring, challenging, and growing throughout the year.

In September, the WMU Soil Science class traveled to Wapello for the FFA Sub District Soils Contest.

“The main focus was for them to have an opportunity for hands-on learning and have an expert in the field explain some concepts,” the chapter shared on their Facebook page.

As a team, they place 13th out of 30 competing teams. Individual members placed 44th, 51st, and 61st out of 93 competitors.

The chapter sent five exhibitors, each with two swine, to the Iowa State Fair show ring.

Members Afton Wilkerson, Aurey Meeker, Carter Lloyd, Eli Miller, and Katie Miller all finished in the top 10 of their class, and Eli Miller earned the Division 1 Champion Commercial Gilt.

The chapter worked hard to maintain and improve the community garden in Winfield, as well.

Crooked Creek FFA sent members to compete in the Greenhand Test, Chapter Test, Creed Speaking, Job Interview, and Individual Welding during the subdistricts contests at Central Lee on Feb. 20.

“We also plan to have test takers, delegates, and hopefully some advancing contestants for Districts held at Muscatine on March 4,” Brown said. “Our summer season looks to be busy as well with a livestock judging team, county fairs, and the Iowa State Fair with various livestock projects.”

In order to participate in these various activities, the WMU Crooked Creek FFA hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year.

The chapter sold T-shirts as a fundraiser in September through Anywear Apparel.

In December, they hosted a bake sale/auction between girls’ and boys’ basketball games.

Through the end of February, the Crooked Creek FFA chapter will sell unique FFA-themed socks as their latest fundraiser.

Each pair sells for $12.95 a pair. $5 from each purchase will help raise funds for attending the National FFA Convention in October 2023 in Indianapolis.

The link for this fundraiser is available at WMU AG Ed & Crooked Creek FFA’s Facebook page.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com